From: Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 2:18 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Pakistani American Community Welcomed/Applauded on Capitol Hill <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102481029377&e=001jWm6QBGhRA7Ui1FVm41ahpD6V5y7oAn t6XwQXGYULUsPCO7zHFd_JHVfWUB5WHz1oz16lbiZkH6zEgjrH9MQbZeFsHG-rO3N7dU33pXeMno x6NfVKPDcx2JvWy4rX2EM> banner PAL-C Press Release Pakistani American Community Welcomed February 27, 2009 PAL-C Headquarters, Washington D.C., USA Board of National Directors Mossadaq Chughtai Pervaiz Lodhie Dr. Rafiq Rahman Dr. Maqsood Chaudhry Mariam Issa Arif Zaffar Mansuri Dr. Raza Bokhari Saquib Khaan Pakistani American Day on the Hill Successful First Step in Building the Relationship with U.S. Lawmakers Ellison Addresses Gathering <http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs049/1101513693042/img/463.jpg?a=1102 481029377> Pakistani American Community Meets with Over 14 Senators and 42 Representatives; Receives Warm Welcome from U.S. Legislators; Community Must Follow Up and Continue Process of Political Engagement WASHINGTON, D.C., February 27, 2009 - The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) would like to congratulate our organizational partners (see full list below) and especially the Pakistani American community on coming together from every corner of this great nation of the United States of America to join PAL-C here in Washington D.C. and to speak with a single, strong and unified voice to tell our U.S. legislators, "We are Pakistani Americans. We live and work in your districts, we spend in your districts, we create jobs in your districts, we provide free healthcare services in your districts, and we contribute to your political campaigns. Today, we come to you as Pakistani Americans with the best interests of America in our hearts but also of Pakistan and we ask you to support the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act (aka the Kerry-Lugar Bill) that will triple economic aid to Pakistan. We ask you to do this not just because it is the right thing to do, but because it is the best thing to do for the National Security of America and for people of Pakistan so that we give them real hope and real jobs and tell them: the people of America are with you and that they will continue to stand with you during this fight against terrorism and after it when you are rebuilding what they have destroyed. We recognize that you are our partner in this fight, and that you are an equal partner, and we will continue to trust you and extend to you our hand of friendship and support." On February 26, 2009, we - the Pakistani American community - delivered this message and we were welcomed with open arms by over 14 U.S Senators and 42 Representatives in public speeches and in closed door meetings. PAL-C Founding Director Mr. Mossadaq Chughtai commented, "This Day represents a milestone for the Pakistani American community and for the U.S.-Pakistan relationship. Today we made the first real steps as a community to stand up as Pakistani-Americans for America and for Pakistan and to deliver on the promise of the potential that we have had for so long. We did it by coming together and politically engaging our leaders and I hope that our community will only increase our political activism now that we understand the process and have been warmly welcomed by our U.S. legislators. Today was a great day but we need to ensure that this work continues tomorrow, and the day after, and the month after, and the year after." PAL-C would like to extend a special and warm thank-you to all of our organizational partners which included: Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee (PAKPAC) Pakistani American Congress (PAC) Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP) Association of Pakistani Scientists and Engineers of North America (APSENA) Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA ) Pakistan American Chamber of Commerce Council (PACCC) Friends of Pakistan (FOP) The Pakistani American Council of Texas (PACT) Pakistani American Association of Connecticut (PAACT) North American Pakistani Association (NAPA) However, our most humble and sincere thanks are reserved for you, the Pakistani-American community. Thank-you. Sincerely, <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Taha A. Gaya Executive Director Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C). The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) is a professional Pakistani-American advocacy organization with an office located on Capitol Hill. It launched the Congressional Pakistan Caucus in May 2004 and works to raise awareness about Pakistani-American concerns in Washington policy circles. Our activities include facilitating the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, liaising Pakistani officials and the community with Members of Congress, and mobilizing Pakistani-Americans at the grassroots level. 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