[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16564]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MOHAMED ALI, RECIPIENT OF THE CHAMPION OF CHANGE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 30, 2013

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mohamed Ali 
from Federal Way, Washington, who serves as Co-Chair of the King County 
Somali Health Board and Program Coordinator for the Hepatitis B 
Coalition of Washington at WithinReach. Mohamed was recently honored by 
the White House as a Champion of Change.
  The White House presented Ali with the Champion of Change Award for 
his heroic efforts during a winter storm in the Puget Sound region last 
year. Mr. Ali's proactive approach to the dangers of carbon monoxide 
within his community helped save lives and protect vulnerable families 
trying to heat their homes in the winter.
  By acting as a liaison between King County Public Health and the 
local Somali community, Mohamed ensured that safety warnings for carbon 
monoxide were translated for individuals who do not speak English and 
that the community was informed about the risks of burning fuel indoors 
during power outages.
  In addition, Mohamed worked with volunteers at a local mosque to 
establish a hotline for the community to ask questions about the storm 
and request aid. He was also instrumental in coordinating the 
establishment of a nearby aid station that offered heat and hot meals. 
As a result of Ali's and others' efforts, King County reported zero 
deaths and ninety percent fewer hospitalizations than during the 
region's last major winter storm.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate Mohamed Ali 
for being honored with the Champion of Change award and recognize his 
service to the King County community.

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