A wonderful achievement it was. Major Pakistani American organizations came together for Pakistan Advocacy Day on the Hill on Thursday, February
26, 2009 in an impressive display of unity and discipline. It certainly would not have been possible without demonstrating faith in each other’s
abilities and trust in each other’s leadership.
On February 25, an orientation dinner session was organized for the national Pakistani American leadership in the U.S. at the Marriott hotel,
Washington, D.C. The main issues to discuss on Pakistan Advocacy Day on the Hill were: Pakistan’s role and the
effect on the people of Pakistan in the war on terror, recommendations on long-term Pakistan-USA relations, and
the USA’s role in facilitating a strong Pakistan-India relationship.
The organizations that coordinated and participated in the event included the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC), the
Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C), the National Association of Pakistani Americans (NAPA), the Pakistani American Congress (PAC), the
Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP), the Association of Pakistani Scientists and Engineers of North America (APSENA), the Council
of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA), the Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce Council (PACCC), the Association of Physicians of Pakistani
Descent of North America (APPNA), Friends of Pakistan (FOP), the Pakistani American Council of Texas (PACT), the Pakistani American Association
of Connecticut (PAACT), , and the Pakistani American Community at large.
Approximately 65 (plus) meetings were held with Congress and Senate representatives, including many personal visits with congressional
representatives and senators at the breakfast and lunch receptions at the Rayburn House Building. One after another, the elected leadership of
both houses who spoke at the reception recognized and praised Pakistan’s sacrifices and its contribution to the stability of the region and the
security of the United States.
It was an historic day for another reason: February 26, 2009 marked the 61st anniversary of the first American Ambassador Paul
Alling’s presentation of his credentials to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, in 1948. A relationship that started so
early is deeply rooted in a common vision of a freer, more peaceful and prosperous world for all nations.
Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, co-chair of the Pakistani Caucus at the Hill, spoke candidly with the Pakistani American leadership present at
the breakfast reception. She said, “We must do more for Pakistan, but I need your help.” Rep. Jim Moran and Rep. Chris Carney also attended the
morning reception and shared their views on Pakistan-U.S. relations.
The community paid some very important visits with the various members of congress in their offices after the morning breakfast session and the
luncheon session. The partial list of these meetings included meetings with Congresswoman Judy Biggert, Congressman Brian Higgins, Congressman
Christopher Lee, Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Frank Wolf , Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, Senator Barabara
Mikulski, Senator Mark Warner, Senator James Webb, Congressman Chris Murphy, Congressman Jim Himes, Congressman Joe Courtney, Congressman John
Larson, Senator Chris Dodds, Senator Joe Lieberman, Congressman Jerry McNerney, Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schummer, Congressman Jerrold Nadler,
Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Jane Harman, Senator Mitch McConnell, Senator Richard Durbin, Senator Tom Carper, Congressman John
Sarbanes, Congressman Joe Pitts, Congressman Joe Sestak, Congressman Ron Andrews, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, Congressman Trent Franks,
Senator Arlen Spector , Congressman Mark Schauer, Congressman Gary Peters, Congressman John Conyers, Congressman Thaddeus Mcotter, Senator Debbie
Stabenow, Congressman Steny Hoyer, Congressman Van Hollen, Congressman Al Green, Congressman Gene Green, Congressman Pete Olson, Congressman Ted
Poe and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
The first congressional visitor of the afternoon session was Congressman Bill Pascrell. Then Rep. Janice Schakowsky addressed an impressive
gathering of Pakistani American leaders and activists. After her, the second Muslim to join the U.S. Congress, Andre Carlson, spoke about
combating the challenges of racial profiling with the help of a new breed of Pakistani American legal and professional minds. He generously
admired the support of Pakistani Americans in his campaign.
Keith Ellison, the first Muslim congressman, emphasized increased community engagement. He recognized the historic engagement of Pakistani
American Democrats during Obama’s election. Regarding U.S.-Pakistani relations he stated, “U.S.-Pakistani relations should always be on the table.
Countering Talibanization of Northern Pakistan should be the top priority of the U.S.” According to him this should be accomplished, “Through NGOs
and other (such) avenues. As Americans we can impact the situations.” He also thanked Pakistani Americans for their help and cooperation in his
re-election to the U.S. Congress.
Rep. Brett Guthri of Kentucky, a graduate of West Point, emphasized the importance of education in Pakistan. He stressed that we must “appreciate
the history, the culture and each other.” A senator from Maryland, Ben Cardin, was commended for making the effort to initiate contact with the
Muslim and Pakistani American communities residing in the state of Maryland. He pointed out, “Pakistani Americans have played a critical role in
so many areas of the American life.”
Rep. Elijah Cummings, who was introduced as a friend of the community, urged patience for positive effects of President Obama’s policies. He
informed the community leadership that the President has many things on his agenda but he will get to them one by one. He also said, “We need to
make sure that Pakistan doesn’t fail.” Praising the vitality of the Pakistani American community, he commented, “No other community comes together
so quickly as the Pakistanis in America.”
Senator Bob Casey, Chair of the Committee on South Asia, spoke frankly about Pakistan-U.S. relations. He highlighted that Pakistan’s stability is
vital to U.S. interests. “We know you want us to get this policy right.” He acknowledged and agreed with the expectations of Pakistani Americans
present. He added that the U.S. should not only be concerned with the “security situation but also the sense of the people and the pride and
passion for their country.” He concluded, “We wish to see Pakistan continue to grow and thrive.”
Senator Menendez, in his direct but polite manner, pointed out, “I think that 12 billion dollars later we have seen that we put individuals over
institutions.” He underscored the value of strong democratic institutions in Pakistan. He said, “We (often) strengthen the hands of the Pakistani
governments, not the people.”
Patrick Murphy from Pennsylvania, who was one of the first congressmen to endorse Obama when Obama was behind in the polls, spoke about the theme
of the event, “Enhance the Partnership.” He shared with Pakistani Americans his view on providing more aid to Pakistan: “We need to make Pakistan
our priority.” He urged Pakistani Americans to do more. “Write to the newspapers, letters to the editors and your elected officials. Realize the
exchange between the hard power and the soft power,” he said.
Congressman Eric Massa from Corning, N.Y., further emphasized the urgency for Pakistani Americans to actively participate in the American
political system. Speaking in a blatantly honest but sincere manner, he explained “how it works in Washington, D.C.” Pointing out the hard times
the U.S.A. is facing, he suggested that American policy makers must be engaged through a “critical national security” point of view for aid to
Pakistan. Educating his audience on this matter, he repeatedly reminded the Pakistani American leadership to be tirelessly persistent in their
effort to make policy makers and elected officials aware of Pakistani Americans contributions to American society. He suggested, “Invite them to
home and religious celebrations. It is not done from the microphone. Remember, the burden of leadership resides on us and the burden of
participation resides on you. (Make it) one hundred fold in two years. Then you will be heard. You have to be as forceful as you are successful in
America.” Most important, he advised, “At the end of the day, don’t leave here without a series of actions. Otherwise, it was just a nice trip to
Washington.”
Regarding U.S. policy toward Afghanistan, Massa referred to the regional history of over 2,000 years. He mentioned, “Subjugating Afghanistan has
never worked. We certainly won’t do it by drones.” He agreed with Pakistani American representatives that the U.S. must be willing to engage in
Kashmir and to find a solution by using the power of its economy, culture and ideas.
The final speaker, Rep. Dan Burton, known for his appreciation for Pakistan and for Pakistani Americans, spoke about the outstanding achievements
of Pakistani Americans. He identified the current challenges facing Pakistan. He also stressed the need for the U.S. to engage the whole South
Asian region for stability and peace.
Organizers thanked the participants and left with the determination to continue to come together on a bi-yearly basis as one voice on Capitol
Hill. The challenges at hand for the Pakistani American community and the acute need for an ongoing alignment of appropriate and long term
Pakistan –US relations is critical. There is a need for an ongoing presence in DC for our community and a process of maximizing the participation
of our youth and other community members in similar and more events and ongoing activities in the various congressional districts, states and
Washington DC needs to occur. Lack of participation in the political process of any community renders them irrelevant. If one does not turn on to
politics, the politics turns on to them. An organized, effective, and positively engaged minority is a political majority.
