[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE CAREER AND HUMANITARIAN ACHIEVEMENTS OF FAROOQ 
                                KATHWARI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to seek Congressional 
recognition of the exceptional achievements and outstanding charitable 
and humanitarian works of Farooq Kathwari.
  Just this month, Mr. Kathwari received yet another prestigious honor, 
as the United States Institute of Peace, USIP, dedicated the Farooq 
Kathwari Amphitheater in recognition of both his long standing work 
with USIP, as well as his decades of humanitarian efforts across the 
globe. Not only has Farooq enjoyed a long and illustrious business 
career, but throughout his life he has also dedicated himself 
unfalteringly to numerous humanitarian causes. I have always marveled 
at the way he balances such a successful business career with his 
commitment to giving back and ``paying it forward.'' Farooq Kathwari is 
a most fitting recipient of this singular honor from USIP. While 
leading a Fortune 500 company, he generously lends his valuable time 
and energy to promote world peace through advocacy and by serving on 
the boards of numerous human- rights organizations.
  The life story of Farooq Kathwari illustrates what our great country 
stands for, and the bountiful opportunities the United States offers 
its citizens. Farooq Kathwari came to America over 40 years ago as a 
political refugee from strife-torn Kashmir, and he now leads one of the 
Nation's largest and prestigious companies. He arrived in New York City 
at age 20 armed with a B.A. in English and political science, and with 
a determination to live and grow in a free society. Two years later he 
earned an MBA, went to work for Newcourt Securities, where he rapidly 
rose to the position of vice president, and simultaneously launched his 
own importing business. Soon thereafter, the iconic American company, 
Ethan Allen, purchased an interest in his company. In 1980, the firms 
merged, and Farooq Kathwari became vice president of Ethan Allen. By 
1989, he had risen to the post of Chairman, President, and CEO. Farooq 
has been the top executive at Ethan Allen Interiors for 26 years; under 
his leadership, the company has become a leading competitor in interior 
design and home furnishings, while also fostering a business that 
values environmental and social responsibility. He is a national leader 
in the furniture industry; where he serves as the director and chairman 
of the National Retail Federation and director and is the former 
chairman and president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. The 
industry also inducted him into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.
  While Farooq's professional accomplishments are impressive, his most 
laudable contribution is his tireless dedication to foster world peace 
and to bettering the lives of others. His humanitarian efforts extend 
to those people displaced by conflict zones and who end up in refugee 
camps, and to those facing religious persecution in the Middle East and 
elsewhere. Most recently, Farooq was honored by the Office of the 
United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees for his steadfast 
dedication to raising consciousness of the plight of refugees 
worldwide. He also serves on the President's Advisory Commission on 
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and has received numerous awards 
for his peace activism, including the humanitarian award from the Anti-
Defamation League. Farooq is a director and former chairman of Refugees 
International, a director of the International Rescue Committee, 
director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown 
University and the Henry L. Stimson Center, and a member of the Council 
on Foreign Relations. He is also my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, Farooq's life's work is to help foster a dialogue for 
peace in much-troubled regions, and to promote human rights around the 
world. I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to stand 
and join me now in honoring Farooq Kathwari, a most compassionate and 
selfless citizen. May his good works serve as a model for countless 
others to follow.

                          ____________________