Charlie Crist invites 8th grader and advocate for Syrian refugees to attend Donald Trump speech
Source/Author: Adam C. Smith, Times Political Editor
February 27, 2017
A St. Petersburg eighth grader trying to help Syrian refugees will be the guest of U.S. Rep.Charlie Crist at Tuesday's address to Congress by President Donald Trump, who is barring Syrian refugees from America.
Crist, D-St. Petersburg, said he invited Oliver Hess of Shorecrest Prepatory School after reading a letter from Hess about his efforts to help a Syrian refugee family fleeing persecution resettle in Florida as part of his school’s annual “passion project.”
"Young Mr. Hess is setting an example for all of us, that for our country to continue to be great, we must also continue to be a beacon of hope and light to rest of the world. For refugees seeking asylum from war and terror, America is often their only hope," Crist said in a statement. "I commend Oliver's conscientiousness, and commitment to freedom and justice. I look forward to having him join me in Washington next week to bring greater attention to helping refugees in need."
Hess, also a member of Boy Scout Troop 219, wrote in his letter to Crist that he wanted to work on a project that did not merely benefit himself.
"After hearing the terrible conditions in Syria, especially, the besieged city of Aleppo, I decided I wanted to help resettle a Syrian refugee family here in Florida," Hess wrote. "The countless families being denied a better life and a safe future is devastating to me. If I can help just one family, I know how much that family will give back to the United States."
"I hope that we as citizens of the United States can continue to help refugees come to our 'Nation of Immigrants'," Hess noted. "The lives of thousands of immigrants and the soul of our nation depend on our continued efforts."
On the campaign trail Trump consistently drew some his strongest cheers and applause when he vowed to halt refugees coming to America.
Original story: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/charlie-crist-invites-8th-grader-and-advocate-for-syrian-refugees-to/2314327
Original story: http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/charlie-crist-invites-8th-grader-and-advocate-for-syrian-refugees-to/2314327
