Day on the Hill”
Gathers Record-Breaking Congressional Support for Pakistani
Earthquake Relief
By Fauzia Tariq
L
to R: Congresswomen Sheila Jackson-Lee, Caucus Co-chair
Dan Burton, two groups of guests and Ambassador Jehangir
Karamat |
Thursday,
November 17th marked the achievement of “Day on the
Hill”, an unparalleled, cooperative effort by numerous
Pakistani-American organizations to garner Congressional
support for earthquake relief in Pakistan. The day’s
activities included a breakfast reception with Members of
Congress in Rayburn House Office Building, followed by constituent
meetings to lobby Members of Congress about the dire need
for additional U.S. assistance for the humanitarian crisis
at hand. The “Day on the Hill” culminated with
a community feedback session and dinner hosted by Jehangir
Karamat, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US.
During the breakfast reception and individual meetings numerous
House Representatives and Senate leaders from both political
parties interacted with Pakistani-American organizations,
community leaders and concerned citizens. All Members of
Congress that attended spoke at the breakfast, articulating
their commitment, support, and ideas for strengthening U.S.
assistance.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Co-chair for the Congressional
Pakistan Caucus was an honorary host during the morning
reception and welcomed her colleagues as well as thanked
the organizers. Ms. Jackson-Lee, with fellow Co-chair Dan
Burton, introduced H. Res. 562, a resolution urging the
U.S. to reaffirm its commitment to earthquake relief through
additional support and by pledging long-term reconstruction
efforts in affected areas. Ms. Jackson-Lee also confirmed
an upcoming visit to Pakistan by House members in order
to assess damage and support reconstruction efforts.
Representatives speaking included Robert Simmons of Connecticut,
who committed to building a school in an earthquake-affected
area. Representative John Conyers of Michigan articulated
his admiration for the response by the Pakistani-American
community and commended them for their efforts. Representative
Chris Van Hollen lamented the lack of media coverage concerning
the earthquake and reinforced the need for gathering international
support for Pakistan given its strategic role in combating
terrorism. Other distinguished Members of Congress that
spoke in support of earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan
included Representatives Shelley Berkley of Nevada, Thomas
Davis of Virginia, Jim Moran of Virginia, Joseph Pitts of
Pennsylvania and Linda Sanchez of California.
In addition, the event featured remarks by leaders of co-sponsoring
organizations. Dr. Saud Anwar, Secretary General of the
Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC), moderated
the event. Aisha Chapra, Executive Director of the Pakistani-American
Leadership Center (PAL-C), Pervaiz Lodhie, member of the
Board of Directors of PAL-C, and Hussain Malik, President
of the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America
(APPNA), Dr. Wasiullah Khan, President of the Pakistani
American Congress (PAC) and Mr. Hanif Akhtar of PAL-C addressed
the group, detailing the contributions of each organization
to the relief effort and updating the community of future
plans. Also in attendance were Mr. Mossadaq Chughtai, Mr.
Rehman Jinnah and Dr. Mansoor Shah of the PAL-C Board of
Directors, Mr. Shaukhat Sindhu of PAANA, Mr. Irfan Malik
of OPEN and NAPA and Dr. Pervez Shah and Dr. Raza Bokhari
of PAKPAC.
Additionally, Mr. Akbar Khawaja, Senator from Pakistan rallied
those gathered on behalf Pakistan saying, “We’re
all connected and we must respond together. Every contribution,
big or small, will impact a life.” Mr. Mohammad Sadiq,
Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Pakistan, concluded
the morning reception with remarks on the successful coming
together of so many community organizations for earthquake
relief efforts.
The remainder of the day was spent in constituent meetings
with Congressional Representatives by state delegations
from all across the United States. Community members asked
their Representatives and Senators to sign H. Res. 562 and
provide additional and long-term relief to Pakistan.
After a long day of lobbying, members of the community came
together one final time at the Embassy of Pakistan to reflect
on the efforts and successes of the Day. Ambassador Jehangir
Karamat applauded the community for their continued support
of earthquake victims in Pakistan and highlighted the efforts
of the Embassy in relief work. The following organizations
were recognized for instrumentality in organizing the massive
lobbying day: PAL-C (Pakistani American Leadership Center),
PAKPAC (Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee), APPNA
(Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America),
Rising Leaders, National PSA, OPEN (Organization of Pakistani
Entrepreneurs of North America, NAPA (National Association
of Pakistani Americans), PAANA (Pakistani American Association
of North America), COPAA (Council of Pakistani American
Affairs), AOPP (Association of Pakistani Professionals),
APSENA (Association of Pakistani Scientists and Engineers
of North America), PAC (Pakistani American Congress) and
PAGW (Pakistani Association of Greater Washington).
The “Day on the Hill” was successful in bringing
together and mobilizing committed community members and
Congressional leaders in unprecedented force to bring immediate
relief for the survivors of the earthquake in Pakistan.
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