[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E401-E402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN HOTEL OWNERS ASSOCIATION (AAHOA)

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AMI BERA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2014

  Mr. BERA of California. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to congratulate 
the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) on celebrating 
their 25th anniversary. Founded in 1989, AAHOA is the largest hotel 
owners association in the world and represents over 12,500 members 
nationwide. My family and I are proud to be counted among them.
   AAHOA's achievements over the past quarter century are one of the 
greatest examples we have today of capturing the American Dream. 
Comprised of first and second generation Indian Americans, AAHOA 
members and their families immigrated to the United States seeking 
opportunity. These entrepreneurs found a niche as hoteliers and soon 
became a profound influence on the hospitality industry.
   Today, AAHOA members own over 40 percent of all hotels in the United 
States employing over 600,000 people with an annual payroll of almost 
$10 billion.
   It is also my pleasure to recognize AAHOA's chairman, Mehul ``Mike'' 
Patel for his exceptional leadership this year. Mehul and his family 
came to the United States from Valsad in Gujarat India when he was a 
teenager and they lived and worked in a motel in Garland, Texas. The 
lessons of hard work and perseverance he learned while growing up in 
the motel have served him well and today he is the chairman and CEO of 
NewcrestImage, Hotel Development and Management Company, with multiple 
hotel properties across the United States.
   Mehul's vision has been instrumental in elevating AAHOA to the next 
level. Under Mehul's stewardship, AAHOA has reached record levels of 
membership, and advanced its position as the voice of hotel owners with 
members in nearly every congressional district in the United States. 
Mehul is a dynamic leader in his community and industry and I am proud 
to commend his accomplishments.
   I would also like to recognize AAHOA's officers, Vice Chairman 
Pratik Patel, Treasurer

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Jay ``Jimmy'' Patel, Secretary Bharat ``Bruce'' Patel and President 
Fred Schwartz, along with AAHOA's 24 past chairman whose dedication to 
the organization and the hospitality industry have helped to create 
jobs, promote investment in their local communities, and grow America's 
economy.
   I look forward to addressing AAHOA's annual convention later this 
month and continuing to work with this extraordinary organization in 
the future.

                          ____________________