[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 175 (Tuesday, December 6, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           IN RECOGNITION OF THE PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AND PEACE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2016

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Yogesh Varhade and 
his pursuit of social justice. His hero, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, died 
60 years ago today. Ambedkar inspired the Dalit Buddhist Movement in 
India, campaigned against social discrimination of the Dalit caste, 
supported the rights of women and laborers, and was appointed first 
Minister of Law and Justice in India in 1947.
  In honor of Dr. Ambedkar, Mr. Varhade founded the Ambedkar Center for 
Justice and Peace, a non-governmental organization, which has a 
headquarters in Kingston, PA. For the last 25 years Mr. Varhade 
dedicated himself to addressing issues of child labor, bonded labor, 
prostitution, human trafficking, and caste-based discrimination as they 
occur in India by implementing a legal literacy program for the 
marginalized in India and by educating others at the United Nations as 
well as elected leaders like myself
  We in the United States struggle with versions of these ugly truths 
born from hate and intolerance. Forced labor and human trafficking are 
a $150 billion industry worldwide. This nation has done much to pursue 
diplomatic solutions to these international issues. We must rededicate 
ourselves to this work and to our many partners in honor of the heroes 
who led the way.

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