NEWS ARTICLE

(ANAHEIM, CA, 10/31/07) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations will feature Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) as the keynote speaker at its 11th Annual Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 10.

In his first-ever address to 2,000 Southern California Muslims and people of other faiths and backgrounds, the congressman will speak on the theme “Let the Conversation Begin,” stressing the importance of engaging all Americans to create a nation that welcomes everyone.

Congressman Ellison is the first Muslim elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He recently co-sponsored the historic Ramadan resolution, which “recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world” and expresses “deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.”

He also made history when he swore a ceremonial oath on the Quran after being elected from Minnesota’s Fifth District in November 2006. When Ellison announced that he would take an oath on the Quran, he was viciously attacked by conservative pundits. In the end, he took the ceremonial oath on a copy of the Quran that Thomas Jefferson had owned.

WHAT: Muslim Congressman to Give First-ever Address to S. Calif. Islamic Community

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10. Program starts at 6 p.m. sharp.
WHERE: Anaheim Hilton, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim, CA

CONTACT: Munira Syeda, CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator, Phone: (714) 776-1847 or (714) 851-4851, E-mail: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

NOTE: Space is extremely limited. All media professionals who wish to cover the event must RSVP and be able to show press ID.

“As the nation’s first Muslim Congressman, Keith Ellison embodies America’s core values of diversity and inclusion,” said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR-LA. “His status and experiences provide many useful lessons Southern Californians can learn from.” 

CAIR, America’s largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

                                                   
Biography of Congressman Keith Ellison:

Keith Ellison, 43, is a father, husband, attorney, former Minnesota state legislator, community advocate – and now a United States Congressman.

Keith is a member of the Democratic Farmer Labor (DFL) Party serving in his first term in the United States House of Representatives representing the Fifth Congressional District – which includes the city of Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs.  In 2006, Mr. Ellison made history as the first African American elected to Congress from Minnesota.  He made further history by becoming the first member of the Muslim faith elected to Congress.

Keith’s election was a triumph of his message of “generosity and inclusiveness.” The Fifth Congressional District is the most vibrant ethnically diverse district in Minnesota; there are over eighty languages alone spoken in Minneapolis.

Keith’s roots as a community activist and his message of inclusivity through democratic participation resonated throughout the Fifth District.  His long career of advocacy is focused on promoting peace, prosperity for working families, and promoting civil and human rights. 

Keith was elected to the Minnesota State House of Representatives in 2002 and re-elected in 2004, representing Legislative District 58B.  While in the Legislature, he served on the Public Safety, Policy and Finance Committee, and the Election and Civil Law Committee.  Keith led efforts to protect Minnesota children from dangerous pesticides and chemicals, he promoted legislation to restore the voting rights of ex-offenders and he successfully advocated for an increase in the state’s minimum wage.

In Congress, Keith serves on the Financial Services and Judiciary Committees.  The Financial Services Committee provides oversight over the nation’s housing and financial services sector, while the Judiciary Committee oversees the country’s judiciary and legal system.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, he moved to Minnesota in 1987 to attend the University of Minnesota Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1990.  Ellison, and his wife, Kim, a high school mathematics teacher, have lived on the Minneapolis Northside for the past eighteen years.  They are the proud parents of four children.

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