[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 93 (Monday, June 2, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO MR. ASHOOK RAMSARAN, A DISTINGUISHED CIVIC AND COMMUNITY 
                       LEADER IN QUEENS, NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GRACE MENG

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 2, 2025

  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ashook 
Ramsaran, a distinguished civic and community leader in my Sixth 
Congressional District.
  Mr. Ramsaran has been a resident of Queens, New York, since 
emigrating from Guyana (formerly British Guiana) in 1968. He is the 
third generation of Indian indentured laborers who worked on British 
sugar cane plantations after the emancipation of enslaved people in 
British colonies in 1834. His great-grandfather, Pooriye, arrived in 
Guyana in 1853 aboard the ship Adelaide, and his great-grandmother, 
Radhah, arrived in 1860 aboard the ship Colgrain. His family faced 
significant struggles and persevered under extremely harsh conditions 
on the plantations. Throughout the generations, they worked tirelessly 
to build a better life in Guyana rather than return to poverty in 
India.
  Mr. Ramsaran was the first member of his family to attend school, an 
opportunity he valued greatly. He attended Auchlyne Church of Scotland 
Primary School and Corentyne High School through a Booker Sugar Estates 
Scholarship. He graduated high school with diplomas from the University 
of Cambridge and the University of London. He briefly worked as a 
primary school teacher at Yakusari Primary School, then at the Ministry 
of Health in Georgetown, and as a clerk at magistrate's courts in New 
Amsterdam and Whim Village in Guyana.
  Before leaving for the U.S.A. to pursue higher education and a better 
life for his family, Mr. Ramsaran married Camille (formerly Camille 
Ramgadoo). He embodied the American dream with courage, determination, 
and a commitment to succeed. While attending college and supporting his 
family, which included his wife and two small children, he held several 
jobs. He earned advanced engineering degrees from Polytechnic-New York 
University and persevered through many hardships, including violent 
racial attacks against his family and their home. With remarkable 
resilience, he exceeded expectations, purchased a home, quickly 
advanced to prominent positions in major companies, funded his 
children's college education, and established a successful engineering 
firm in Queens, New York. He has become a role model for his immediate 
and extended family, as well as for others in his community.
  Together with Camille, Mr. Ramsaran is the parent of Arnold and the 
late Gerald, and they are the grandparents of Jaden and Gavin, all of 
whom reside in Queens.
  Mr. Ramsaran holds numerous positions in civic and community 
organizations, including: Executive Vice-President of the Queens Civic 
Congress (QCC); Chair of the Community Advisory Council for NY 
Presbyterian Hospital/Queens (NYP/Q); President of the Indian Diaspora 
Council International (IDC); Past President of GOPIO International 
(2011 to 2016); Board Member of the Center for Caribbean & Latin 
American Studies at St. John's University (SJU/CLACS); Executive Board 
Member of India Empire, a Diaspora publication; Financial Co-Chair and 
Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Flushing, New York (FPC); 
Board Member of the Fresh Meadows Civic Association, New York (FMHCA); 
Chair of the Queens Civic Congress Conference 2022, addressing critical 
community issues such as civic engagement, transportation, land use, 
public safety, services for seniors and children, homelessness, 
education, real estate tax equity, redistricting, discrimination, and 
racial justice; Member of the District 24 AM Weprin South Asian 
Advisory Panel (SAAP); Member of the Queens Borough President's Census 
2020 Committee; Member of the Queens Borough President's Civic 
Engagement Committee; and Delegate to the Queens Borough President's 
General Assembly (QGA).
  Mr. Ramsaran takes initiatives and leads efforts to landmark and 
secure street naming in recognition of outstanding institutions, 
communities, and individuals. His landmarking efforts include the 
Brinckerhoff Colonial Dutch Cemetery (1713), and he has facilitated 
street namings such as Little Guyana Avenue, Don Capalbi Way (in honor 
of an exceptional civic leader), Old Towne of Flushing Burial Ground 
Lane (a historic cemetery for African Americans and Native Americans), 
Brinckerhoff Memorial Way, and others that honor civic and religious 
leaders.
  Additionally, Mr. Ramsaran has established memorials to commemorate 
Indian indentureship in various British colonies from 1828 to 1917, 
including the Kolkata Memorial in India and Indian Arrival Monuments in 
Guyana. Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, and other locations. He 
embraces his noble and selfless service to the global Indian Diaspora 
community in various ways, tracing his roots to a rich and enduring 
heritage.
  Mr. Ramsaran expresses that he ``feels blessed to be an American,'' 
where he lives and contributes to improving the lives of others by 
utilizing his skills, resources, and advocacy. He is dedicated to his 
moral obligation and duty to give back to society--specifically to 
Queens, New York, and the Nation--providing him with opportunities and 
the freedom to progress while helping those who are less fortunate.
  Queens is the most diverse county in the United States, and Mr. 
Ramsaran actively collaborates with many groups and organizations to 
address common concerns. He deeply engages with community issues of 
interest and importance, making significant contributions that resonate 
throughout the community.

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