[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15846]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SHAISTA MAHMOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2014

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the birthday of a 
great Virginian, an 8th District constituent and my dear friend, 
Shaista Mahmood.
  It's been decades since Shaista first came to our country from 
Pakistan with her new husband Rafat (Ray), her commitment to her 
adopted home is matched by none. All throughout Northern Virginia, life 
is improving thanks to the work of the Mahmoods. From their humble 
beginnings starting at the age of 23 with their first business in the 
Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, they've been important members of 
the small business community in the 8th District.
  But it has been Shaista's charitable work for causes around the world 
that is most profound. In fact, the organizations to which she has 
devoted her time are too numerous to list. Whether it's supporting 
children recovering from life in war-torn regions of our globe at Seeds 
of Peace or securing positive change for women as worldwide economic 
drivers at Vital Voices, Shaista's commitment to making a difference in 
the lives of women and children is unmatched.
  I've been honored to share this commitment to so many of these 
causes, but none more so than her devotion to improving women's and 
children's rights around the globe. Hers has been a silent hand at the 
wheel driving forces for change all around the globe, demanding equal 
rights for the many who are treated unjustly as a matter of course and 
tradition every day.
  These are the very issues that have inspired so many of us to devote 
decades of our life to public service. But while we are welcomed and 
honored in DC and throughout the country as public servants, Shaista 
asks for no such recognition. She is proud to let her good work stand 
as testament alone to the countless hours of commitment she has spent 
advancing these global issues.
  Since we first met years ago, thanks in small part to her delicious 
Pakistani cooking, the roots she has planted in Northern Virginia are 
deep and wide. Along with Ray, Shaista has opened her home to countless 
organizations, including elected officials at every level from across 
the political spectrum. We are all fortunate to call Shaista our 
friend, and for many, our inspiration.
  Mr. Speaker, please join with me today in celebrating Shaista's 
commitment to making this world a better place for all within it. I'm 
honored to call her a constitutent and even more honored to call her a 
friend.

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