[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9708]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING FAROOQ KATHWARI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2014

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the strength of our Nation is built on the 
positive impact that individual Americans make in the service to their 
country, their communities and to one another. The decisions and 
actions of every citizen matter because they have the power to make a 
difference to the lives of fellow Americans and even those abroad.
  Farooq Kathwari, and his family, are examples of this notion--of 
individuals working to improve the lives of others--both near and 
abroad.
  Farooq has been the Chairman, President, and CEO of Ethan Allen 
Interiors since 1988. His admirable success in business has afforded 
him the opportunity to pursue his interests in community service. 
Alongside his family, Farooq has been involved in a variety of 
nonprofit organizations. His dedication to improving the well-being of 
others is truly exceptional, as is his success in business, which was 
recognized with an induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.
  Farooq is a member of President Obama's Advisory Commission on Asian 
Americans and Pacific Islanders, a former Chairman Emeritus and current 
Director of Refugees International, and a Director of the International 
Rescue Committee. In addition to his work to improve the lives of the 
most vulnerable around the world, Farooq is also well respected in 
America's foreign policy establishment. He is a Director of the Henry 
L. Stimson Center, the Founder and Chairman of the Kashmir Study Group, 
a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and served as a member of 
the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Advisory Board. 
Such distinguished recognition has allowed Farooq to pursue his passion 
to advocate on behalf of the voiceless, a campaign which has never 
ceased to be at the forefront of his concerns.
  The Kathwari family has been well recognized within our community for 
their leadership and dedication to the protection of those less 
fortunate, to the advancement of humanitarianism and advocacy for 
religious freedom and tolerance. Farooq is a recipient of the Eleanor 
Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal, which recognizes the significant contribution 
to society in the arts, education, citizenship and humanitarian 
concerns. He has also been awarded the Outstanding American by Choice 
Award from our government, the Anti-Defamation League's Humanitarian 
Award, and the National Human Relations Award from the American Jewish 
Committee.
  Such awards symbolize the dedicated effort that individuals such as 
Farooq make to bridge societal divides, reduce antagonisms wherever 
they might arise, and implore our leaders to think locally and act 
globally.
  Farooq and his family are exemplary citizens. Their sense of justice 
and commitment to the protection of vulnerable individuals and to 
humanitarianism is a reflection of values we most cherish as a Nation. 
I commend Farooq Kathwari and his family for their past work and 
continued dedication. They are the deserving recipients of the 
Commitment to Service Award from Hope Community Services.

                          ____________________