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Rep. Gary L. Ackerman

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to seek Congressional recognition of the exceptional achievements and outstanding charitable and humanitarian works of Farooq Kathwari.

Just this month, Mr. Kathwari received yet another prestigious honor, as the United States Institute of Peace, USIP, dedicated the Farooq Kathwari Amphitheater in recognition of both his long standing work with USIP, as well as his decades of humanitarian efforts across the globe. Not only has Farooq enjoyed a long and illustrious business career, but throughout his life he has also dedicated himself unfalteringly to numerous humanitarian causes. I have always marveled at the way he balances such a successful business career with his commitment to giving back and ``paying it forward.'' Farooq Kathwari is a most fitting recipient of this singular honor from USIP. While leading a Fortune 500 company, he generously lends his valuable time and energy to promote world peace through advocacy and by serving on the boards of numerous human- rights organizations.

The life story of Farooq Kathwari illustrates what our great country stands for, and the bountiful opportunities the United States offers its citizens. Farooq Kathwari came to America over 40 years ago as a political refugee from strife-torn Kashmir, and he now leads one of the Nation's largest and prestigious companies. He arrived in New York City at age 20 armed with a B.A. in English and political science, and with a determination to live and grow in a free society. Two years later he earned an MBA, went to work for Newcourt Securities, where he rapidly rose to the position of vice president, and simultaneously launched his own importing business. Soon thereafter, the iconic American company, Ethan Allen, purchased an interest in his company. In 1980, the firms merged, and Farooq Kathwari became vice president of Ethan Allen. By 1989, he had risen to the post of Chairman, President, and CEO. Farooq has been the top executive at Ethan Allen Interiors for 26 years; under his leadership, the company has become a leading competitor in interior design and home furnishings, while also fostering a business that values environmental and social responsibility. He is a national leader in the furniture industry; where he serves as the director and chairman of the National Retail Federation and director and is the former chairman and president of the American Home Furnishings Alliance. The industry also inducted him into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.

While Farooq's professional accomplishments are impressive, his most laudable contribution is his tireless dedication to foster world peace and to bettering the lives of others. His humanitarian efforts extend to those people displaced by conflict zones and who end up in refugee camps, and to those facing religious persecution in the Middle East and elsewhere. Most recently, Farooq was honored by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees for his steadfast dedication to raising consciousness of the plight of refugees worldwide. He also serves on the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and has received numerous awards for his peace activism, including the humanitarian award from the Anti-Defamation League. Farooq is a director and former chairman of Refugees International, a director of the International Rescue Committee, director of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University and the Henry L. Stimson Center, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also my friend.

Mr. Speaker, Farooq's life's work is to help foster a dialogue for peace in much-troubled regions, and to promote human rights around the world. I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to stand and join me now in honoring Farooq Kathwari, a most compassionate and selfless citizen. May his good works serve as a model for countless others to follow.