[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 47 (Friday, March 17, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E340-E341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF PHILIP T. KALAYIL

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 17, 2017

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
many accomplishments of Philip T. Kalayil, a leader in Chicago and in 
the Indian-American community.
  Mr. Kalayil lived a life of purpose, spent enriching the lives of 
those he met and those he served. We in Chicago are indeed fortunate 
that he settled here, coming from his state of Kerala in India to 
pursue his studies at Loyola University and staying to promote 
diversity, opportunity and understanding.
  Philip Kalayil was always a scholar, earning a double master's in 
sociology and industrial relations and receiving the Heart of Asian 
American Community Award from the Association for Asian American 
Studies in 2008. His research helped him understand the disparities and 
discrimination facing members of the Asian American community, and it 
led him to a lifetime of work to tear down barriers so others could 
also succeed. He was a scholar with a vision and he put that vision to 
use to improve our entire community.
  His career was multifaceted. He was a social worker for Catholic 
Charities. He served as Assistant Director of Emergency Services at the 
Department of Human Services.
  Mr. Kalayil was also an outstanding and passionate advocate. Among 
the many organizations he helped build and foster are the Indian 
Catholic Association of America, the Asian Forum, and the Indo-American 
Democratic Organization (IADO). Each was designed to help members of 
the Indian-American and the greater Asian-American community not just 
thrive individually but become active participants in the broader 
society.

[[Page E341]]

  Philip Kalayil showed us the importance of working together across 
racial, ethnic and religious lines. He knew that many things were 
possible if we learned to work and engage together. He was a teacher, a 
doer and an inspiration.
  He was also a devoted family member, and I know that his children--
Tom, Sales and Ann, my dear friend--are mourning his loss. I hope that 
they will take comfort in knowing how much their father is missed and 
how many lives he touched throughout his life.

                          ____________________