SCHAKOWSKY NAMES SKOKIE RESIDENT AS VIRTUAL GUEST TO STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS
Schakowsky Invites Skokie Resident, Who As Executive Director of Muslim Women’s Resource Center Has Helped Afghan Refugees Settle in Chicagoland Area, as Virtual Guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is uplifting Skokie Resident, Sima Quraishi, as her Hometown Hero virtual guest to President Biden's State of the Union Address to Congress on Tuesday. As Executive Director of the Muslim Women's Resource Center in Chicago, Sima has been instrumental in helping Afghan refugee families resettle in the Chicagoland area.
The State of the Union Address will highlight the achievements and work still to be done under the leadership of President Biden. While safety protocols mean this year's in-person attendance will be limited, Schakowsky said inviting Sima Quraishi as her virtual guest is an important way to honor the people of Illinois' 9th Congressional District and uplift their stories.
"In his first year in office, President Biden did the one thing several of his predecessors were unable to do – he withdrew all of our troops from Afghanistan, following nearly 20 years of unnecessary conflict and loss of so many precious lives. To recognize this accomplishment, for this year's State of the Union Address I wanted to highlight one of the many hardworking Americans whose answered the call of duty when we saw so many refugees from Afghanistan come our way. People like my guest, Sima Quraishi, are the true heroes behind America's progress over the past year, and I am proud to uplift her as my virtual guest to the State of the Union Address," said Congresswoman Schakowsky.
"We thank all local communities and neighbors for the strong support they have provided and continue to provide. Their kindness and generosity has made our refugees feel at home," said Sima Quraishi, who plans to watch the speech at home with her family in Skokie. "We need to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act as soon as possible to help reunite families."
A bio and headshot of Sima Quraishi can be found HERE.
Photos of Congresswoman Schakowsky and Sima Quraishi with Afghan refugee children can be found HERE & HERE. A video from Sima is also available HERE.
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