- Suozzi highlights contributions of Pakistani-Americans to the United States.
- Congressman recalls his visit to Pakistan after the 2022 floods.
- He also promises to “pick up” the work the late co-president left behind.
Thomas Suozzi, head of the Pakistani parliamentary bloc in the US Congress, has extended his warm greetings on the eve of Pakistan's 78th Independence Day on August 14, as Pakistanis in the US prepare for the annual celebration.
Suozzi showed off his Urdu speaking skills in a video message to Pakistani-Americans and pledged to do “everything” to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
“Assalam-o-alaikum. Meray Pakistani Bhaiyo aur Behno (My Pakistani brothers and sisters),” he said.
“I want to wish all my friends in the Pakistani-American community, Long Island, New York and across the country a Happy Independence Day. I want to join you in saying Jashn-i-Azaadi Mubarak (Happy Independence Day).”
The congressman also acknowledged the contributions of “educated” and “successful” Pakistani Americans to the United States, emphasizing their role in strengthening the nation.
“Pakistani Americans have contributed a lot to the betterment of our state and our country. They have achieved a lot, there are many well-educated and successful people who are helping to make Americans stronger,” Suozzi said.
He added: “I am the chairman of the Pakistani bloc in the US Congress and I will do everything I can to strengthen the relationship between Pakistan and the US. It is a relationship that has lasted for decades and has been very, very strong.”
“We've been through a lot of ups and downs, but I want to do everything I can to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Pakistan.”
She further recalled visiting Pakistan with her former co-chair, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, after the devastating floods in 2022 and assured Pakistani-Americans that following Lee's death, she would “do everything possible to pick up where she left off and try to build the Pakistan-US relationship.”
“I was one of the first members of Congress to visit Pakistan after the devastating floods of 2022. I went with my then co-chair, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee,” he said.
He ended his message by thanking Pakistani-Americans for their contributions to the United States and said, “Let's keep moving forward. Happy Anniversary and Pakistan Zindabad (Long Live Pakistan). Shukriya (Thank you).”
