[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E7-E8]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE APPOINTMENT OF HAMDI MOHAMED AS PRESIDENT OF THE PORT 
                         OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PRAMILA JAYAPAL

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 9, 2024

  Ms. JAYAPAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the appointment 
of Hamdi Mohamed as the President of the Port of Seattle Commission.
  Commissioner Mohamed's tenure and appointment are historic. She is 
the first woman

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of color and immigrant to serve as Commission President. When 
Commissioner Mohamed was elected to the Poll of Seattle Commission in 
2021, she became the first Somali woman elected to public office in 
Washington State and the first Black woman elected to the Port of 
Seattle Commission.
  Commissioner Mohamed embodies the values of public service. As the 
Director of the City of Seattle's Office of immigrant and Refugee 
Affairs, she helps create pathways to achieving the American Dream for 
underrepresented and marginalized communities. Her work at the City of 
Seattle builds on her more than decade of experience fighting poverty 
and empowering immigrants. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped 
lead King County's initiatives to invest in small businesses and 
community organizations while simultaneously working to uphold public 
health. I am also proud to have worked alongside Hamdi for many years, 
first when she joined the organization I founded, OneAmerica, as a 
college intern, and during her time in Congress as my Deputy District 
Director.
  As a Port of Seattle Commissioner, Hamdi has served as a champion for 
South King County and communities throughout the Puget Sound region. 
Her work to spur economic development through increased funding for 
workforce development, institutionalize equity in budgeting, lead 
innovative initiatives for climate action, uplift small businesses and 
enhance regional infrastructure have been integral to the success of 
the Port of Seattle.
  As she begins her tenure as the President of the Port of Seattle 
Commission. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Commissioner 
Mohamed's historic appointment and service to our country.

                          ____________________