[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1936-E1937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  ON RECOGNIZING PRAVINA RAMANATHAN FOR HER WORK TO PROTECT THE CIVIL 
RIGHTS OF MICHIGAN RESIDENTS AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF MICHIGAN'S ASIAN 
                          AMERICAN COMMUNITIES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2011

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Pravina 
Ramanathan, for her work with the State of Michigan over the last 
fifteen years to protect the civil rights of its diverse residents.
  As a Civil Rights Enforcer and the Asian American Liaison to the 
Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR), Pravina makes it her daily 
mission to protect the safety and well-being of Michigan residents and 
serves as an advocate for the needs of my state's Asian American 
communities. In her role as a Civil Rights Enforcer, Pravina devotes 
her energy to assessing many of the civil rights complaints which come 
before her office and works with victims, witnesses and other 
professionals to ensure that victims of discrimination are protected. 
Expounding further upon that work, Pravina uses her role as the Asian 
American Liaison to the MDCR to design and implement programs that 
build connections and understanding between Michigan's diverse ethnic 
communities. Specifically, Pravina has instructed Michigan state 
employees on how to exercise cultural competency, organized panels to 
help Asian ethnic communities better understand their rights and 
directly assisted victims of hate crimes and discrimination.
  In recognition of her outstanding work as a civil rights advocate and 
protector, Pravina has been honored with numerous awards by local 
ethnic communities. In 1988 she was first honored as a Gold Medalist in 
Hindu law by Bangalore University as she graduated with a Bachelor of 
Law in Advocacy. In 2002, the Association of Kannada Kootas of America 
honored Pravina for her work to protect the civil rights of Asian 
Americans. She received a similar recognition from the Michigan Konkani 
Association in 2003 for her with the State's Indian American 
communities. And just earlier this month, Pravina was recognized by her 
own Sikh community in Michigan for her advocacy work on its behalf.
  Mr. Speaker, everyday civil rights advocates, like Pravina 
Ramanathan, are making it their mission to ensure that our country 
continues to be a land of tolerance where we draw strength from our 
diversity. Pravina's civil rights work has earned her the praise of 
many organizations in Michigan and I know she will continue to be 
successful as she works to strengthen cross-cultural dialogues and 
enhance protections for victims of discrimination.

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