Angels in our lives

Re: “A farewell interrupted — Dallas patriarch’s household stays in suspended grief, stored from rituals of mourning by pandemic,” April 26 information story.

By all accounts, Brad Townsend is an effective individual; so is Ashley Landis. Final weekend’s story about my father, Frank Campise, make it obvious that Brad isn’t “simply” a sports activities author and Ashley isn’t just a photographer. They captured, with feeling and emotion, the essence of our household. Whereas the article was very well-written, it was the care and concern for the well-being of my household that almost all impressed me.

The time that Brad spent in speaking with, not simply interviewing us, was the kind of factor that one pal does for an additional in time of sorrow. He listened, consoled, laughed and cried with every of us. I firmly imagine you don’t train that, you don’t study that, you simply are that form of individual.

Ashley made certain we have been snug with all footage she requested us to take. She was variety in each means.

Angels are put in your life infrequently, and this text is proof as a result of it offered our household an opportunity to grieve and rejoice my dad’s life. My dad was an excellent man, too, and would have have loved attending to know each. I’m glad they know him now.

I’m proud to name Brad and Ashley our mates. Peace to all and preserve the religion, as a result of this too shall cross.

Tony Campise, Dallas

Launch immigrant detainees

Along with the 41 reported COVID-19 circumstances at Prairieland Detention Middle, continued ICE arrests additional threaten immigrants, workers and the group at giant. Nationwide efforts, together with litigation, habeas petitions and humanitarian parole requests have surged in latest weeks to fight the substandard medical care, insufficient social distancing measures and lack of entry to cleaning soap, sanitizer and masks in detention amenities throughout the state.

As representatives of a various coalition of over 30 group leaders, authorized service suppliers, regulation corporations, medical suppliers and spiritual and tutorial establishments, we name upon the leaders within the D-FW space to launch immigrant detainees instantly. To make sure human dignity and public well being even after we emerge from this disaster, our leaders should additionally spend money on confirmed authorized instruments and packages, like private recognizance bonds, common illustration for immigrants and launch on parole for individuals who have pending circumstances or sentences.

This ethical disaster requires swift and daring motion. Our communities are stronger, safer and more healthy once we come collectively to assist probably the most susceptible.

Felix C. Villalobos, Dallas, managing lawyer, Refugee and Immigrant Middle for Training and Companies, and Suzy Cop, Dallas, govt director of Resettlement, Asylum and Integration, Worldwide Rescue Committee

Ramadan amid COVID-19

As we discover ourselves within the midst of unsure instances, Muslims world wide are observing the holy month of Ramadan. Though we might not be capable of congregate in our mosques to supply our 5 day by day prayers or break quick with one another, our intentions stay the identical. Throughout Ramadan, we quick for 30 consecutive days from daybreak to nightfall to cleanse our souls of worldly wishes and attain God’s pleasure. Within the Quran it’s talked about, “ O ye who imagine! Fasting is prescribed for you, because it was prescribed for these earlier than you, so that you could be guard in opposition to evil” (2:185).

Other than attaining religious salvation, one other key goal of fasting is to learn to be grateful. The starvation that we expertise whereas fasting reminds us of the struggles that hundreds of thousands of impoverished people world wide expertise every day. Fasting for Muslims isn’t just a bodily apply, however a approach to self-reflect and make ourselves higher human beings, an idea that each particular person can attempt towards.

Faiza Ahmed, Allen

Function of college social staff

There’s a nice want for extra social staff within the public faculties of Dallas. As a social work scholar on the College of North Texas and a Dallas native, I wish to categorical my concern for this want with extra data on why faculty social staff are extraordinarily invaluable to the training system.

Within the 85th Legislative Session (2017), the governor signed HB 3083, which elevated the {dollars} in our psychological well being program by as much as $four million over 4 years. You will need to ask the place this cash goes to be constantly distributed and who’s going to offer these psychological well being providers.

Though Dallas ISD has begun just a few modifications relating to this want, there are nonetheless many gaps on this system that have to be full of the correct assets. At present, there isn’t any definition of the position of college social staff within the Texas Training Code. I strongly imagine it will hinder faculty social staff as a result of lack of a voice they’re given.

Madison H. Hughes, Plano

La Reunion story appreciated

Re: “Dallas’ misplaced utopia,” by Mark Lamster, April 19 Arts & Life column.

I appreciated your newest model of “No matter Occurred to La Reunion?” as a result of, not like all earlier than it, the settlers aren’t blamed for their very own downfall. This one blames Victor Considerant, which makes extra sense. One would possibly conclude from the article that all the socialist experiment ended after the primary 12 months, which isn’t what occurred. La Reunion resulted in the identical common time-frame as the opposite socialist experiments in Texas, together with Sisterdale, Consolation and others, when the Confederacy took over.

Gene Lantz, Dallas/Oak Cliff

Some Texas railroad historical past

The picture of a prepare operating alongside the freeway has turn out to be ubiquitous, and the transportation business usually hides in plain sight. But, the COVID-19 disaster has made the significance of logistics and our provide chain extra obvious than ever.

On the coronary heart of this nationwide effort is the multimodal community of trains, vans, planes and ships that strikes 54 tons of products for each American every year. Freight rail hauls over 413 million tons of products all through Texas yearly. That prepare operating alongside the freeway is carrying meals for our grocery tales, gas to assist electrical demand and far more. Hundreds of railroad staff and contractors, together with over 17,000 Texans, are working 24/7 to maintain the availability chain operating throughout the nation and the Lone Star State.

Among the many beliefs that unite us within the face of this disaster are our senses of group and responsibility. The primary railroad in Texas opened right here in Houston in 1853 and for almost 170 years the freight rail system has served Texans by good instances and unhealthy. The women and men of the rail business in Texas will proceed to do their half on this disaster to maintain the availability chain transferring.

Brett Sebastian, Fort Price, Texas director, GoRail

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