http://www.jainlink.org/?page=conference Wash DC

Dear Jains in North America,

We are pleased to inform you that JAINA will be hosting its first ever legislative conference, "Celebrating Non-Violence". on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. On Wednesday, October 7^th, 2009, JAINA will have an opportunity to promote 21^st-century Ahimsa diplomatically.

Co-supported by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), this conference will enable Jains to become more politically active on issues important to our community.

The conference will take place from 9 am – 2 pm on October 7th with U.S. government officials. In the evening, our members are invited to attend an exclusive reception to honor the 50^th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's visit to India, hosted by the AJC, AAPI, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

If you would like to join us for this momentous event in Jain and US history to meet and network, please visit http://www.jainlink.org/?page=conference Wash DC  and to fill out a form to let us know of  your interest.  Based on the seats availability, we will let you know as soon as possible to register. 

Conference:  Celebrating Non-Violence

Location: Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Legislative Conference on Peace, Harmony & Non-Violence

Building American Jain-Jewish & AAPI Partnership

Agenda for Tuesday 6th Oct 2009  (Optional)

American Jewish Committee – Mr. Nissim Reben (202-785-5484)

1156 15^th Street, NW; Washington, DC 20005

1:00 p.m. - Meeting at AJC center - welcome coffee and snacks meeting & greetings

1:45 p.m. Proceed to meeting with Commerce Dept - Undersecretary of Minority Affairs (by Taxi

2:30 p.m. – State Dept – Mr. Michael Owen – India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan Dept

4:00 pm - return home

5:00pm -  Depart for Jain Center

Jain Center Metro Washington

1021 Briggs Chaney Rd; Silver Springs, MD

6:00 pm - arrive Jain Center welcome meet & Greet

6:30 pm Dinner

7:15 pm Aarti & Mangal Divo (Short Prayer)

7:30 pm Starting Prayer by Pramodaben Chitrabhanu

7:30 p.m.Welcome remarks by Ashok Shah - Pres - JSMW

7:35 pm Welcome remarks by Lata Champsee - Pres - JAINA

7:40 p.m. Remarks and logistics announcement Manoj Dharamsi - Chairman, Public Affairs Council

7:50 p.m. Presentation by Mr. Gerrald Krell - Documentry on Eastern Religion ( Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism) Q & A

8:15 p.m. Ann Schaeffer & Nissim Reubin - AJC - Importance of Getting involved

8:30 p.m. Sandip "Dino" Tappara - Legislative procedures and protocol, Q & A

10:00 p.m. depart Jain Center

Wed 7^th Oct 2009 - Conference Agenda

B-340 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

8:00 a.m. – Check-in & Registration

8:45 a.m. – Guest Chaplain Caughlin - Chaplin of U.S. Congress, Jain Prayer & Jewish Prayer

9:00 a.m. – Welcoming remarks by U.S. Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), sponsor of congressional resolution H. Res. 134, which recognizes the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to India and the positive influence the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi had on Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement

9:15 a.m. – Welcoming remarks by U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans

9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – “Non-Violence advocacy” by Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. -  Break

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Presentation by Hilary O. Shelton, Executive Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Panel discussion: “How to advocate on issues important to your community,” featuring Ishani Chowdhury, Director of Public Policy for the Hindu American Foundation; Priya Dayananda, Director of Federal Government Affairs for KPMG; Paul Patel, Washington District Director for the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA); Nick Rathod, Assistant Director at The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

12:00 p.m. – Congressman Frank Pallone

12:10 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Working lunch with Richard Foltin, Chairman AJC and Ann Schaeffer

                    “ Jewish Organizations success and Challenges – The inside look”

1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. – Paul Montero – White House Community Outreach Programs

1:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Daniell Borin – Jewish Laison to White House

2:00 p.m. – Group photo at Capitol steps

2:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.  – Call on your legislatures

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Congressional Reception and Award ceremony - Hosted by AJC, AAPI, and NAACP.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sushil Jain

JAINA – First VP