PRESS RELEASE
APRIL 7, 2009 CONTACT: Jean Lamm
Interim Executive Director
Beet Street
(970) 419-8240 office
(970) 214-0398 cell
JLamm@BeetStreet.org
CONTROVERSIAL FRANK SHARRY TALKS REFORM
Provocative speaker offers his view during “Finding Home” immigration series
FORT COLLINS, Colorado – Beet Street announces A Frank Talk About Immigration Reform with
Frank Sharry, Tuesday, April 21, 7pm at the Lincoln Center.
The event is the fifth presentation in the Beet Street Thought Leaders series, and
doubles as a keynote lecture for Finding Home: Sharing the Journey of our Collective
Immigration, a collaborative community series running April 2 through May 3, 2009.
Widely recognized as a pro-immigrant authority, Sharry brings his international and
national perspective to Fort Collins in an eye-opening presentation addressing the subject of
immigration reform.
Presented by Beet Street, Finding Home is a month-long community celebration that
puts immigration in the spotlight, and features more than 15 local organizations hosting
performances, lectures and exhibits addressing the topic.
The Beet Street Thought Leaders series is designed to “Entertain Your Brain” by bringing
knowledgeable, dynamic speakers to the Fort Collins community to present relevant topics
people care about.
Sharry is Founder and Executive Director of America’s Voice, a nonprofit
communications organization dedicated to winning immigration reform in the United States.
Established in 2008, America’s Voice conducts opinion research, undertakes public education
and provides comprehensive media analysis on the current state of the immigration debate.
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Beet Street · Fort Collins, Colorado · (970) 419-8240 · www.beetstreet.org

PAGE 2 FRANK SHARRY
Prior to heading America’s Voice, Sharry served as Executive Director of the National
Immigration Forum for 17 years. The Forum, based in Washington D.C., is one of the nation’s
leading immigration policy organizations, and has been at the center of every major legislative
and policy debate related to immigration for the past quarter of a century.
Sharry is described as the common sense voice of reason by some and as a controversial
radical by others. Sharry will be the first to admit there is no easy answer to the country’s
immigration challenges, and he is accustomed to his views being contested.
“We would be surprised if everyone agreed with Frank Sharry,” said Jean Lamm, Interim
Executive Director at Beet Street.
“If you think you have immigration all figured out, Beet Street encourages you to attend
Sharry’s event,” said Lamm. “Immigration is a complex topic that warrants discussion. Whether
you agree or disagree with Sharry, we invite you to listen with an open mind, challenge his
opinions if necessary, and question your own perspective.”
The question-and-answer portion of the presentation on April 21 will give audience
members the opportunity to ask Sharry specific questions about immigration, and VIP ticket
holders are invited to meet the speaker at a private reception after the presentation.
General admission tickets for Frank Sharry are $10, VIP seating and Meet the Speaker
tickets are $15, and student/senior (60+) tickets are $8. Tickets are available at www.lctix.com
and by calling (970) 221-6730. For more information about Frank Sharry and other Finding
Home events, visit www.BeetStreet.org.
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ABOUT BEET STREET
Beet Street is an economic development initiative created by the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority in
2007 to distinguish Old Town Fort Collins, Colorado, as a cultural destination that fosters, celebrates and inspires
human creativity through diverse cultural experiences and programming. Beet Street creates a collaborative
learning community in fort Collins where everyone of every age is welcome to share in discussion, reflection and
creative expression. Visit www.BeetStreet.org or contact (970) 419-8240 for more information.
Beet Street · Fort Collins, Colorado · (970) 419-8240 · www.beetstreet.org