congressional_record: CREC-2022-12-23-pt1-PgE1354-3
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2022-12-23-pt1-PgE1354-3 | 2022-12-23 | 117 | 2 | RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF SEWA INTERNATIONAL USA | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | RECOGNIZING | E1354 | E1355 | [{"name": "Gerald E. Connolly", "role": "speaking"}] | 168 Cong. Rec. E1354 | Congressional Record, Volume 168 Issue 201 (Friday, December 23, 2022) [Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 201 (Friday, December 23, 2022)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1354-E1355] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF SEWA INTERNATIONAL USA ______ HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY of virginia in the house of representatives Friday, December 23, 2022 Mr. CONNOLLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the service of the thousands of Sewa International USA employees to assist underserved communities around the world throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. Sewa International USA was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity organization. Comprised of 43 chapters with more than 5,000 volunteers across the country, Sewa workers take inspiration from the Hindu principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam--meaning ``the whole world is one family''--and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah--meaning ''may all be happy.'' These complementary outlooks have driven volunteers to serve humanity in times of distress. This service takes many forms. Sewa volunteers work with local communities to coordinate developmental projects and mobilize partners, donors, and on-the-ground volunteers to make meaningful changes in the face of disaster. Sewa has organized volunteer service in the wake of 30 disasters over the last two decades, including the recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricane Harvey in 2017, and the California wildfires in 2019 and 2020. Internationally, they have assisted after some of the world's greatest crises in recent memory, from Haiti's 2012 earthquake to Pakistan's 2013 flooding to the evacuation efforts from ongoing war in Ukraine. As Russia's invasion of Ukraine rages on, Sewa International volunteers are conducting massive evacuation efforts to help thousands of students escape the violence. Their erroneous network has been invaluable in the last few years, providing $15 million worth of food, PPE, and medical supplies to those in need. Regardless of the type of crisis, Sewa International always finds meaningful ways to help. Without regard for race, religion, gender. sexual orientation, or nationality, Sewa International USA has done tremendous work to ameliorate the effects of some of the world's greatest disasters. Hundreds of thousands of people benefit from their work every year, and I am proud to represent some of these volunteers in Congress. These volunteers work tirelessly across the globe to aid those who are most vulnerable, and it is no surprise that they are one of the seven key trusted partners of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the extraordinary service of Sewa International USA and their thousands of volunteers. Their work over the last two decades has been invaluable in recovery [[Page E1355]] efforts around the globe, and reminds us all to take every opportunity we have to assist those around us. I wish them every continued success in their efforts to bring our one family closer together and promote happiness for all. ____________________ |