[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 62 (Thursday, April 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E373]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE ANNUAL CHAI DINNER AND DANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 7, 2022

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, today I rise in honor of the 
Council of Heritage and Arts of India (CHAI). CHAI is a local nonprofit 
organization that promotes Indian culture, arts, and heritage here in 
Western New York. Their annual dinner and dance brings together friends 
and family to celebrate the organization's cultural and community 
relations.
  Formed in 2018, CHAI serves the Western New York Community by 
building bridges among Indian and non-Indian communities. Their work 
recognizes the important role that culture plays in nation-building and 
represents a set of shared values, goals, and practices.
  CHAI helps the Western New York Indian American Community better 
understand its needs and provides access to critical government 
resources. Additionally, they have worked with Western New York's 
international community, in partnership with government officials, to 
assist with and resolve immigration issues.
  CHAI puts an emphasis on their charity work. During the pandemic, 
they raised more than $7,000 toward PPE for hospitals and frontline 
workers in the Buffalo area. The practice of ``anna danna'', or 
``offering of food'', is common within Indian society and continues to 
be an important aspect of their culture. In addition to PPE, CHAI also 
provided groceries for international students at the University of 
Buffalo who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
  CHAI operates under the guidance of Executive Director Sibu Nair and 
a dedicated executive committee. The organization has tremendous 
community and government support, which allows them to complete major 
community projects in addition to their distinguished charitable work 
and community relations efforts.
  CHAI recently installed a monument for Mahatma Gandhi in the Town of 
Amherst. The memorial is a gift to the town that symbolizes peace and 
friendship. It serves as a landmark for the Western New York Indian-
American community and further connects the United States and Indian 
democracies. In 2022, CHAI will initiate the development of an Indian 
Heritage Center here in Western New York.
  This year, CHAI is gathering to celebrate the Indian American 
community here in Western New York at their annual dinner and dance. 
Family and friends of CHAI will come together to showcase the 
organization's success in serving the community and helping to provide 
resources to those in need.
  CHAI's mission to celebrate the diverse heritage of India has helped 
many people across the Western New York Community, because of their 
commitment to cultural beliefs and values. I ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing CHAI's work serving the community, connecting our 
cultures, and celebrating our democracies.

                          ____________________