[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF PRAMILA JAYAPAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 1, 2012

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments of Pramila Jayapal, founder of the Hate Free Zone, now 
called OneAmerica. For more than a decade she has worked tirelessly to 
ensure that people from immigrant communities have a voice in America. 
Her efforts have made Washington State and our Nation a better place 
for all people who call it home.
  In the days immediately following the attacks of September 11, 2001, 
Pramila began the Hate Free Zone Campaign of Washington as an entirely 
volunteer-run organization to combat discrimination against immigrants, 
especially from communities of color--primarily Muslim, Arab American, 
East African and South Asian--and to work against stereotypes in a post 
9/11 world. At first, the mission was to advocate for the rights of 
those who were likely to be victims of hate crimes.
  Soon after, Pramila began to shift the focus of the Hate Free Zone 
towards identifying and addressing violations of the rights and civil 
liberties of immigrants. Through these efforts, she began working with 
community leaders and elected officials to address these concerns on 
local, State, and Federal levels.
  In 2008, the Hate Free Zone became OneAmerica: With Justice for All, 
reflecting the mission of advocating for the fundamental principles of 
democracy and justice by giving voices to all immigrant communities. 
Today, OneAmerica works with allies and community leaders to educate, 
engage and advocate, and has become an active and trusted immigrant 
advocacy organization in Washington State.
  Pramila's dedication to the protection of civil rights and civil 
liberties is important to every single group of Americans, immigrants 
and non-immigrants alike. The promotion of civic education, voting 
rights and civil liberties benefits everyone who calls the United 
States home.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor Pramila Jayapal 
and all of her work at OneAmerica. Though she is moving on from 
OneAmerica, I have no doubt she will continue to advocate for those in 
need. Her dedication to improving the lives of all persons living in 
Washington State has been an inspiration to us all, and I look forward 
to her next endeavors.

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