[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6255]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


      IN RECOGNITION OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 16, 2008

  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in order to recognize the 
achievements of Cleveland's Council on American-Islamic Relations 
(CAIR) Chapter on the occasion of their sixth annual banquet. For the 
past 6 years, CAIR has played an instrumental role in bridging the 
divides between Greater Cleveland's diverse communities.
  The Council on American-Islamic Relations is a nation wide nonprofit 
organization whose mission is to ``enhance the understanding of Islam, 
encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims 
and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding''. 
The CAIR staff of Ohio has worked tirelessly to ensure that this vision 
becomes a reality and I thank every member of the organization for 
their commitment to improving the lives of the citizens of the 
Cleveland area.
  Together with the organizers of CAIR's sixth annual banquet, titled 
``Let the Conversation Begin,'' I also stand in recognition of the 
distinguished speakers; Dr. Christopher Pyle of Mt. Holyoke College and 
Imam Johari Abdul Malik of the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. Dr. 
Christopher Pyle is currently a Professor of Politics at Mt. Holyoke 
College and an award winning investigative journalist, scholar, teacher 
and historian. Imam Johari Abdul Malik is the head of Muslim Chaplains 
in Higher Education, Government Relations Chair for the Muslim Alliance 
in North America and President of the Muslim Society of Washington, 
Inc. I commend their efforts and work in speaking out on important 
issues and promoting social justice.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 
Council on American-Islamic Relations for their truly outstanding 
achievements. The work of CAIR is vital in an ever changing, 
diversifying and growing community. May their efforts to promote 
dialogue and create a more inclusive world endure for years to come.

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