COUNCIL MEMBER M.J. KHAN HONORED WITH U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES AMERICANS BY CHOICE AWARDS
April 23, 2007 - The Department of State (DOS) hosted a special naturalization ceremony for 50 new Americans where Houston City Council Member M.J. Khan received the "Americans by Choice Award." Director Emilio Gonzalez, USCIS, swore in 50 new Americans on Monday, April 23 in Washington, DC and gave welcoming remarks. Secretary Condoleezza Rice, Department of State, gave the keynote address to the new Americans. Mr. Greg Christian, District Director, USCIS Washington District, welcomed and presented the 50 candidates for U.S. citizenship.
Held in the Benjamin Franklin room at the Department of State, USCIS Director Gonzalez presented the "American By Choice Award" to naturalized U.S. citizens in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Recipients of this honor have demonstrated their commitment to this country through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship. They have shown unwavering dedication to the common civic values that unite Americans. Along with Houston City Council Member Khan, The "Americans By Choice Awards" was also presented to Dina Habib Powell, Assistant Secretary of State, Farroqu Kathwari, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. and Indra Nooyi, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo.
Council Member Khan, a native of Pakistan, was elected to Houston City Council, District F in December of 2003. He has a long record of community service in Houston and has worked diligently as the Chair of the International Liaison and Protocol Committee to facilitate open dialogue between delegations from the U.S. and abroad. Council Member Khan was recently in Doha, Qatar as a representative for the U.S. State Department's U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program and looks forward to other opportunities to serve as a liaison for Houston and the U.S. As Council Member Khan stated, "Receiving the Americans by Choice Award is a great honor. I am very appreciative of this award and committed to serving my country in every capacity."
