Connect with us

New Hampshire

Fil-Am legislator told to 'go home' to PH after Independence Day speech

Published

on

Fil-Am legislator told to 'go home' to PH after Independence Day speech


New Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay | Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook

NEW YORK — New Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay, a Filipino American immigrant and Democrat from Dover, delivered a powerful speech on the House floor this week after a Republican colleague questioned her right to serve in the legislature following her commemoration of Philippine Independence Day.

Bay, who represents Strafford County District 21, recounted the incident in remarks that have since gone viral on social media.

Advertisement

“A week ago, I spoke at this very podium about the Independence Day celebration of my home country, the Philippines,” Bay said.



Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.


Your subscription has been successful.

You may like: How Filipino Americans are shaping Philippine Independence Day in the US

Advertisement

“Shortly after my speech, I was asked how someone who calls the Philippines my home country is allowed to serve in this House. I want to respond, not just for myself, but for the thousands of immigrants, new Americans and children of immigrants who contribute every day to the strength of this state and this country,” she sad in a video clip posted by the podcast “This Filipino American Life” on Instagram.


New Hampshire State Rep. Luz BayNew Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay

New Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay | Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook

“Let me say it clearly: I am here because I belong here.”

Bay emphasized her legitimacy as an elected official and her pride in her heritage.

“My constituents in Strafford County District 21 elected me under the same laws, with the same legitimacy, as anyone in this room,” Bay said. “My birthplace does not make me less American. My accent does not disqualify me from public service. And my identity as [a] Filipino American does not make me aghast.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by This Filipino American Life (@tfalpodcast)

Advertisement

She reminded colleagues of the nation’s immigrant roots, stating, “Unless you are Indigenous to this land, unless your ancestors walked here before borders, before colonization, before the concept of immigration even existed, you too are descended from immigrants. Some of our families came centuries ago, others came fleeing war, poverty, persecution, or simply searching for the promise that America holds. My story is part of that American story. It is not the footnote. It is a verse in the song of this nation.”

Bay concluded her remarks with a declaration of belonging and resolve.

“To question my right to be here is to misunderstand what makes America what it is – a place where democracy is enriched by diversity, where freedom means the opportunity to serve, and where strength lies in our shared commitment to justice, not in the sameness of our origins. I represent my district with pride. I serve this state with integrity, and I stand in this chamber with the full rights and responsibilities that come with my being an American. This is my home. This is my country, and I’m not going anywhere.”


New Hampshire State Rep. Luz BayNew Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay

Fil-Am New Hampshire Rep. Luz Bay attends the APAICS 31st Gala last month in Washington, D.C. Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook

The New Hampshire House Democratic Caucus condemned the remark and voiced strong support for Bay. 

In a statement reflecting the party’s platform, the caucus said, “New Hampshire Democrats believe in the rights of all people to thrive in all areas of their lives. Immigration is an opportunity for growth. We welcome immigrants from all countries and backgrounds. We support diversity, equity, and inclusion in all settings, and object to any attempts to undermine the participation of immigrants in our democracy”.

Advertisement

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a national network of Filipino American leaders, also expressed support for Bay. 

“We stand with Rep. Luz Bay and all Filipino Americans who serve their communities with integrity and pride. Incidents like these remind us of the ongoing challenges immigrants and minorities face, but also of the importance of representation and resilience in public service,” said FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao.


New Hampshire State Rep. Luz BayNew Hampshire State Rep. Luz Bay

Luz Bay takes a selfie with California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo from Luz Bay, NH State Representative/Facebook

“FYLPRO remains committed to supporting leaders who bridge cultures and advance equity in government.”

Community advocates and local leaders echoed these sentiments, highlighting the challenges immigrant and minority lawmakers face and the need for representation. Bay’s speech quickly gained traction on social media, with many calling it a powerful statement against xenophobia.

Bay, who has served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives since December 2022, is a three-time cancer survivor and a veteran of 13 marathons.

Advertisement

She holds a Ph.D. in educational measurement and statistics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and has spent nearly three decades as a psychometrician, including leadership roles in national research organizations. Bay lives in Dover with her husband and two children.

Bay was re-elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, representing Strafford 21, in the November 2024 general election. Her current term ends Dec. 2, 2026.

As of this writing, the New Hampshire Republican Party has not issued a formal statement regarding the incident. Several Republican lawmakers have privately expressed regret over the remark, according to local media reports.





Source link

Advertisement

New Hampshire

N.H. lawmakers to vote on increasing tolls, civil rights, and k-12 education – The Boston Globe

Published

on

N.H. lawmakers to vote on increasing tolls, civil rights, and k-12 education – The Boston Globe


One proposal (Senate Bill 627) would generate more than $53 million per year in estimated revenue for turnpike projects by essentially doubling what certain cars pay on the state’s toll roads.

The cash fare for Hampton’s main toll booth on Interstate 95, for example, would jump from $2 to $4 for cars and pickup trucks. The toll wouldn’t increase at all for motorists who use New Hampshire’s E-ZPass transponders.

“Surrounding states already have the same in-state discount structure in place,” Democratic Representative Martin Jack of Nashua wrote on behalf of a House committee that unanimously recommended the bill.

A potential hitch: Governor Kelly Ayotte. She’s expressed opposition to the whole toll-hiking idea, and proven she’s not afraid to use her veto pen.

Advertisement

Modifying civil rights standard

Another proposal (Senate Bill 464) would add a few words to the state’s Civil Rights Act. Instead of addressing conduct that is merely “motivated by” a legally protected characteristic, the proposed revision would address conduct that is “substantially motivated by hostility towards the victim’s” protected characteristic (such as their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, or disability).

The prime sponsor, Republican Senator Daryl Abbas, an attorney, testified the change was small and aligned with the law’s intent. But the attorney who oversees the Civil Rights Unit at the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Sean Locke, testified in opposition, saying the proposal could reduce protections, especially since the meaning of “substantially” is somewhat vague.

Advertisement

The House is also weighing a proposed amendment that would add a few more words than Abbas’s version, potentially narrowing the Civil Rights Act’s applicability a bit further.

Open enrollment for K-12 schools

A third proposal up for a vote on Thursday (Senate Bill 101) would make every K-12 public school in New Hampshire an “open enrollment” school. That way, students could freely choose to transfer to a district other than the one where they live.

The proposed policy is controversial, partly because of how schools are funded. Districts rely mostly on local property taxes to cover their costs, as the state government chips in relatively little, and property tax rates vary widely from one community to the next. That generates concern about who will foot the bill when a student transfers.

In light of those concerns, Republicans are offering a compromise amendment to SB 101 that would require the state to provide more money per pupil that a district receives via open enrollment, as the New Hampshire Bulletin reported. Democrats are offering their own amendment to establish a study commission on this topic, rather than adopt the proposed policy now.

Advertisement

Lawmakers have until May 14 to take action on the bills that came from the other chamber, though they have until June 4 to iron out any discrepancies.

Amanda Gokee of the Globe staff contributed to this report.


This story appears in Globe NH | Morning Report, a free email newsletter focused on New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles elsewhere. Sign up here.


Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.





Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Hampshire

Boston MedFlight expands into NH

Published

on

Boston MedFlight expands into NH


Boston MedFlight often touches down at the scene of some of the worst tragedies in New England – where minutes can mean life or death for a victim. The critical care transport operation is now expanding with a new base in New Hampshire.

The organization is hosting an open house at the new Manchester location on Thursday.

Boston MedFlight flies a critical care transport paramedic and nurse on every flight. Jaik Hanley-McCarthy says their helicopters and ground vehicles are equipped to handle just about any emergency medical procedure.

“Anything that can be done in the ICU,” explained Hanley-McCarthy. “We have a mobile lab so we can draw blood and run labs in real time.”

Advertisement

Boston MedFlight now has five bases across the region.

“Having a base in Manchester just expands this Boston-level care even further north to the more remote areas of the state,” said Hanley-McCarthy.

Boston MedFlight operates as a network of bases and some of the locations are staffed 24 hours.

Chief Executive Officer Maura Hughes says the nonprofit operation survives on public and private donations.

“We provide about $7 million in free care every year to patients,” said Hughes. “Not every hospital can be everything to every patient. We’re really the glue that keeps the health care system together.”

Advertisement

Heather Young says her daughter, Teighan, is still alive because she was flown for a critical assessment and procedure after falling off a truck and hitting her head.

“She should not be driving and walking and talking and all the things she’s doing as quickly as she is,” said Young.

Teighan just turned 18 and plans to go to college to study the medical field.

“I want to be a nurse and help other people,” she said.

It’s stories like this that keep the men and women who work Boston MedFlight focused on their mission.

Advertisement

“I think we just go call by call and try to do the best we can,” said Hanley-McCarthy. “I think when we stop and truly think about it, I think that weight is pretty heavy.”

Boston MedFlight also has a yearly reunion where patients and the team get together here in Bedford to meet and check in on their progress. It really shows you how connected they are to the people they help.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

New Hampshire

Hiker who set out in warm spring weather found dead after snowstorm in New Hampshire mountains

Published

on

Hiker who set out in warm spring weather found dead after snowstorm in New Hampshire mountains


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A Massachusetts hiker who set out in warm spring weather was found dead deep in New Hampshire’s White Mountains after a snowstorm dumped several inches of snow in the area, authorities said.

Kent Wood, 61, of West Roxbury, was discovered Tuesday evening on a remote section of the Kinsman Pond Trail in Franconia Notch, about 5.5 miles from his vehicle, according to New Hampshire Fish and Game.

Wood had driven to Franconia Notch on April 17 for a weekend camping and hiking trip, and set out on a hike the next morning in warm, clear weather, officials said. Family and friends last heard from him Saturday afternoon.

Advertisement

When he failed to return or make contact for two days, officials said relatives reported him missing Tuesday morning, prompting a large-scale search.

HIKER IDENTIFIED, POPULAR TRAIL CLOSED AFTER DEADLY FALL A UTAH’S ZION NATIONAL PARK

An aerial view of Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire, where a hiker was found dead on Tuesday. (Joseph Sohm/Universal Images Group, File)

Rescuers quickly learned Wood had packed for mild conditions, not the three to five inches of snow that fell in the area between Sunday and Monday.

Fog hovers over a narrow road through Franconia Notch in the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire on Dec. 27, 2021. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis)

Advertisement

Search teams from Fish and Game, PEMI Valley Search and Rescue, and the Army National Guard launched a coordinated effort, focusing on the Lonesome Lake and Kinsman Pond areas.

FAMILY’S SPRING BREAK HIKE TURNS INTO LIFE-OR-DEATH RESCUE AFTER PARENT FALLS 70 FEET OFF UTAH CLIFF

Conservation officers located Wood’s body around 7:41 p.m. Tuesday. Crews carried him out overnight, reaching the trailhead shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Franconia Notch and the Appalachian Trail are seen in New Hampshire on Sept. 21. (Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

Since Friday, six hikers from Massachusetts have been rescued in the White Mountains, Fish and Game said.

Officials are reminding hikers that winter conditions still grip the mountains, with snow, freezing temperatures and rapidly changing weather.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending