PAKISTANI AMERICANS UNITE AND LOBBY FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS.

Washington DC. November 17th, 2005,

Today the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee joined the Pakistani American community to have a thriving event at the Capitol Hill. Many Pakistani American organizations had joined hands to unite at the Rayburn House office building. Many members of congress joined in for the breakfast meeting. The names of some of the House Representatives who joined in for the breakfast includes, Shelley Berkley of Nevada, Jon Porter of Nevada, Jeb Bradley of New Hampshire, John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, Thomas Davis of Virginia, Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, John B Larson of Connecticut, Rob Simmons of Connecticut, Joseph Pitts of Pennsylvania, Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Linda Sanchez of California, Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Donald Payne of New Jersey Jim Moran of Virginia, Jim Leach of Iowa. Other members, their staff had also joined in the morning. Mr. James Kadtke represented the office of Senator Warren.

Essentially all members joined in to extend support and condolences to the people of Pakistan. Everyone agreed to the importance of a timely and effective support to be extended to the earthquake affected people. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas, serving as a co-chair of the Pakistan caucus spoke eloquently outlining the reasons why United States must do whatever is needed to help save the precious lives. Both Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Dan Burton have been the cosponsors of the Bipartisan Bill H.Res. 562 that were introduced Thursday morning.

All Members of Congress praised the efforts of the Pakistani American community to bring to the attention to all Americans, the importance immediate response and grave situation in Pakistan. They also thanked the Pakistani Americans for being active participants in their respective communities and making America a better place for all people.

Later the Pakistani American community members collected together from across the United States went to visit their members of congress to ask to support the Bill. About 70 members of congress were reached to help develop support for the earthquake and the support for the House Resolution 562 Bill that was introduced in the house. Discussion were initiated to have a similar bill to be introduced in the Senate

The sponsoring organizations of the event included The Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent in North American (APPNA), Pakistani American Congress (PAC), Pakistani American Leadership Center (PALC), National Pakistani Students Associations (PSA), Rising Leaders, Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America (OPEN), Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA), Pakistani American Association of North America (PAANA), Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP),  APSENA (Association of Pakistani Scientists and Engineers of North America), National Association of Pakistani-Americans (NAPA), Pakistani American Citizens Council (PACC), and Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC.)

Representatives of these organizations spoke, about their efforts for the disaster. Dr. Saud Anwar, chief coordinator of the event, mentioned about how the community members and all the organizations had come together for a very important function. This unity of purpose and ability of the people to work together harmoniously and collaboratively should serve a new era for the Pakistani American community. We must continue to work as a body of effective community, which would not hesitate to deal with challenges and learn to build coalitions and coordination for collective goals of the community including the issues that impact the Pakistani Americans and the people or Pakistan, he said. He urged all community members to ask their House Representatives to support the H. Res. 562.

Ambassador Jehangir Karamat had invited the participants of the “Day on the Hill” to the Pakistani Embassy for a dinner the same evening. Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Mohammed Sadiq received a standing applause from the community members for his services to the Pakistani American community, during his time in one of the very challenging stages for Pakistan and people of Pakistan.

The community members left Washington DC after an effective day with an understanding that this was yet one more step towards identifying better ways of helping the people of Pakistan protect and rebuild their lives in this struggle which may continue for the many more years to come.