Commending Sewa International USA and all its volunteers in chapters across America for their critical role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, India, and several other countries.

Whereas Sewa International USA is a leading Hindu faith-based, humanitarian, nonprofit service organization that serves local communities irrespective of race, color, religion, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation with extensive experience in disaster rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations; Whereas the mission of Sewa International USA is to serve humanity in distress, aid local communities, run developmental projects for the underserved, and assist people in transformational change through the power of innovation by mobilizing partners, donors, and volunteers; Whereas Sewa International USA serves local communities in the field of education through the ASPIRE educational program for underprivileged and underserved communities, case management, and family services, the LEAD internship for high school students, and their partnership with AmeriCorps; Whereas Sewa International USA has active volunteers in 43 chapters across America, including in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington D.C.; Whereas Sewa International USA has played a critical role in combating the COVID–19 pandemic here in the United States, in India, and in many other countries around the world; Whereas Sewa International USA has provided COVID–19 related assistance to more than 750,000 Americans, including— (1) serving more than 100,000 hot meals and food kits; (2) distributing more than 5,500,000 pounds of food and groceries; (3) donating more than 786,500 N95, KN95, and surgical masks (including over 100,000 homemade masks at the outset of the pandemic); (4) delivering more than 200,000 COVID–19 vaccinations; and (5) offering 75 blood plasma donations; Whereas Sewa International USA responding to food insecurity in the United States, served more than 250,000 families offering food and groceries and donated more than $260,000 to food pantries; Whereas Sewa International USA volunteers in 17 chapters actively participated in FEMA-led or in State, city, or county level vaccination drives and over 800 volunteers have assisted with FEMA as well as State, city, or countywide vaccination drives in both medical and nonmedical capacities; Whereas, on August 23, 2021, President Biden offered his thanks to Sewa International USA for their COVID–19 relief work, saying their efforts are not just saving lives—they are helping us get our lives back Whereas Sewa International USA is playing a critical role in support of Afghan refugees arriving in the United States, including providing clothing to Afghan women and after-school intervention for Afghan children; Whereas Sewa International USA has been the leading American nonprofit organization supporting COVID–19 relief efforts in India, including— (1) establishing 714 care centers throughout India; (2) donating 25 ambulances and multipurpose vehicles for COVID–19 emergency care; (3) raising more than $32,000,000 for COVID–19 relief efforts; and (4) donating more than $22,000,000 in equipment and essential kits; Whereas Sewa International USA has helped more than 1,000,000 households in India weather the COVID–19 pandemic; Whereas Sewa International USA has played a leading role in COVID–19 relief efforts in other countries, including Bangladesh, Guyana, Iraq, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago; Whereas Sewa International USA has helped vaccinate 85,000 people in Trinidad and Tobago, more than 10 percent of the entire vaccinated population in the country; and Whereas the volunteers who contribute time and resources to support Sewa International USA represent the very best of the American spirit: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) commends Sewa International USA and all its volunteers in chapters across America for their critical role in combating the COVID–19 pandemic in the United States, India, and several other countries; and (2) commends Sewa International USA and all its volunteers for their enduring support for refugee assistance in the United States, particularly their support for Afghan refugees arriving in the United States.

Summary: This resolution commends Sewa International USA and all its volunteers in chapters across America for their critical role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, India, and several other countries. The resolution also commends Sewa International USA and all its volunteers for their enduring support for refugee assistance in the United States, particularly their support for Afghan refugees arriving in the United States.