[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         A TRIBUTE TO RITA DAVE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Rita Dave in recognition 
of her dedication to improving the human rights in her community and 
throughout the world, especially among immigrant populations.
  Rita immigrated to the United States with her parents when she was 7 
years old. Pursuing her goal to become a lawyer, she received her Juris 
Doctor Degree from New York Law School, and was admitted to practice in 
the State of New York in 1992.
  Throughout her personal and professional life, Rita has been deeply 
affected by the plight of immigrants in the United States. In addition 
to representing mortgage lenders in her current practice, she works 
extensively on pro bono projects involving immigrant issues. She has 
worked together with local and national human rights organizations to 
organize and mobilize grass roots activities opposing indefinite 
detention and incarceration of legal permanent residents. She has 
provided pro bono assistance to detainees across the United States by 
providing them with legal case law, advising them of their rights under 
immigration law, and providing assistance and support to their 
families.
  Rita has also worked hard to bring to the attention of elected 
officials human and civil rights violations suffered by men and women 
during their detention. She works to expose and remedy these violations 
to ensure that our legal system remains fair and just. In recognition 
of her tenacity and empathy for the plight of immigrants, in 2003 she 
was appointed chairperson of the political action committee for the 
Federation of Indian Americans.
  On the civil rights end, Ms. Dave has founded a non-profit 
organization devoted to helping men and women who are factually 
innocent of the crime for which they have been convicted and 
incarcerated. The group is called The Falsely Accused and Convicted 
Taking Steps, FACTS. FACTS reviews the case files of individuals who 
assert their factual innocence then assist them in overturning their 
convictions.
  Rita lives with her husband and 9-year-old daughter in Mineola, NY.
  Mr. Speaker, Rita Dave is committed to improving the lives of those 
in need and those who have suffered human and civil rights violations. 
As such, she is more than worthy of receiving our recognition today and 
I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring this truly remarkable 
person.

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