[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 201 (Friday, December 23, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1354-E1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF SEWA INTERNATIONAL USA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 23, 2022

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of 
the thousands of Sewa International USA employees to assist underserved 
communities around the world throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.
  Sewa International USA was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit 
charity organization. Comprised of 43 chapters with more than 5,000 
volunteers across the country, Sewa workers take inspiration from the 
Hindu principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam--meaning ``the whole world is 
one family''--and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah--meaning ''may all be 
happy.'' These complementary outlooks have driven volunteers to serve 
humanity in times of distress.
  This service takes many forms. Sewa volunteers work with local 
communities to coordinate developmental projects and mobilize partners, 
donors, and on-the-ground volunteers to make meaningful changes in the 
face of disaster. Sewa has organized volunteer service in the wake of 
30 disasters over the last two decades, including the recovery efforts 
after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and the 
California wildfires in 2019 and 2020. Internationally, they have 
assisted after some of the world's greatest crises in recent memory, 
from Haiti's 2012 earthquake to Pakistan's 2013 flooding to the 
evacuation efforts from ongoing war in Ukraine.
  As Russia's invasion of Ukraine rages on, Sewa International 
volunteers are conducting massive evacuation efforts to help thousands 
of students escape the violence. Their erroneous network has been 
invaluable in the last few years, providing $15 million worth of food, 
PPE, and medical supplies to those in need. Regardless of the type of 
crisis, Sewa International always finds meaningful ways to help.
  Without regard for race, religion, gender. sexual orientation, or 
nationality, Sewa International USA has done tremendous work to 
ameliorate the effects of some of the world's greatest disasters. 
Hundreds of thousands of people benefit from their work every year, and 
I am proud to represent some of these volunteers in Congress. These 
volunteers work tirelessly across the globe to aid those who are most 
vulnerable, and it is no surprise that they are one of the seven key 
trusted partners of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the 
extraordinary service of Sewa International USA and their thousands of 
volunteers. Their work over the last two decades has been invaluable in 
recovery

[[Page E1355]]

efforts around the globe, and reminds us all to take every opportunity 
we have to assist those around us. I wish them every continued success 
in their efforts to bring our one family closer together and promote 
happiness for all.

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