[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 156 (Tuesday, September 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E886]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE AWARD RECIPIENTS OF THE 2023 CENTREVILLE IMMIGRATION 
                          FORUM ANNUAL DINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 26, 2023

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Centreville 
Immigration Forum on the occasion of its 6th Annual Dinner. The theme 
of this year's gala is ``Celebrating a Community United for Justice'' 
and will recognize the rich diversity of cultures in Northern Virginia. 
The Centreville Immigration Forum has done tremendous work in Northern 
Virginia to support our immigrant community by implementing sustainable 
programs that provide immigrants in need with the means to improve 
their lives and become more integrated into the community.
  Northern Virginia is blessed by its diversity. In Fairfax County, 
nearly 1 in 4 residents are foreign born. More than 200 languages are 
spoken in our schools, and we are home to more minority-owned 
technology firms than anywhere else in the Nation. Our variety of 
cultures and heritages do not divide us; they make us stronger.
  Three exceptional individuals will be honored during this gala who 
have gone above and beyond in ensuring that everyone, regardless of 
their country of origin, has full access to the benefits and 
opportunities this community and our nation provide. I am pleased to 
include in the Record the names of the following 2023 Annual Dinner 
honorees.


                            Ms. Annabel Park

  Annabel Park is a Korean American documentary filmmaker, political 
activist and community volunteer. She shined light on the struggles of 
immigrants in America through her documentary 9500 Liberty which was an 
interactive project, allowing viewers to comment and give direction to 
the production. It highlighted the struggles in Manassas and Prince 
William County in 2008 through 2009, when some leaders passed laws to 
make life difficult for immigrants. The story of building community in 
the face of bigotry inspired Centreville to organize in the years 
following. Ms. Park went on to co-produce the Story of America 
documentary series about voting rights across the country.


                            Mr. Hassan Ahmad

  Hassan Ahmad is the principal and founder of HMA Law Firm. He is 
fluent or proficient in eight languages in addition to English, and 
this gives his clients comfort when telling their stories. His 
perspective on immigration as a means to prosperity is borne from his 
belief in unity in diversity, advising nationals of 117 countries 
around the world for nearly 20 years. He is a strong voice for justice 
and writes and speaks fearlessly against laws and policies that limit 
the lives of immigrants. He is an expert on the roots of anti-
immigration organizations. About one-third of his practice is devoted 
to asylum cases.


                            Monica Sarmiento

  Monica Sarmiento is the Executive Director for the Virginia Coalition 
for Immigrant Rights (VACIR), an organization dedicated to the defense 
of dignity, power, and quality of life for all immigrant and refugee 
communities. She is from the DC metropolitan area and is Salvadoran-
American. She was the founding Executive Director of VACIR and built it 
into a coalition of immigrant rights groups with a respected voice in 
the Virginia General Assembly. She organized lobby days, press 
conferences. and campaigns that led to Driver Privilege Cards, 
increased language access to public information, and in-state tuition 
for all high school graduates.
  Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these individuals are noteworthy not only 
because they are rooted in an appreciation for our region's cultural 
and ethnic diversity, but also because they help to strengthen the 
bonds of friendship and cooperation in our community. I congratulate 
them on their awards and ask my colleagues to join me in commending 
them for their service to the Northern Virginia region.

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