Recognizing the Life of Tufail Ahmad

Floor Speech

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Mr. RASKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my remarkable constituents, Tufail Ahmad, who passed away on January 13, 2022. Tufail dedicated his life to civic engagement and public service. His unwavering dedication to building a better future for his family, neighbors, friends and community is a true testament to the values we cherish as a country.

Tufail was born on March 4, 1938 in the small village of Allahabad, India. As a young man, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree in Commerce from Allahabad University before emigrating to Pakistan. While in Pakistan, Tufail worked as an assistant professor and then as the Deputy Auditor General for the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Services. Tufail later travelled to the United States in 1968 as a member of the Pakistan audit team at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. After formally emigrating to the United States in 1973, Tufail briefly worked at a shipping firm before he proudly founded his own international trading firm, Euro-America Shipping and Trade Inc.

After 27 years at the trading firm, Tufail went on to volunteer community service and served as a board member of the Committee for Montgomery, Progressive Maryland and the Upcounty Citizens Advisory Board. Tufail was also well known for his outstanding active involvement in state and local politics, including serving as Precinct Chair and D15 Caucus Chair. He was later recognized as Precinct Official of the Year in 2004 and in 2018 was inducted into the Montgomery County Human Rights Hall of Fame.

In 2003, in what has become his enduring legacy, Tufail co- established the Montgomery County Muslim Council where he spearheaded efforts to boost civic engagement in the Muslim community. He also co- founded the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation, an organization that aspires to a hunger-free and hate-free society for all people, regardless of their faith, race or gender. Under Tufail's determined leadership, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation became one of the largest nonprofit charitable foundations in Montgomery County.

Tufail devoted his life to providing for, and sharing with, all of our people. His unshakable commitment to improving the lives of his friends, family, neighbors, and community embodies true American patriotism.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring the remarkable life and wonderful legacy of my constituent, Tufail Ahmad.

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