Los Angeles: Indo-American Political Foundation based in Los Angeles held a reception for more than half-a-dozen California Members of Congress at Crown Plaza Airport Hotel on Saturday, April 6, 2002.

The only out of State invitee was New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. who had just returned from his trip to India and could not attend the function.

However, his absence did not deter the Kashmiri Pandit community of the US to honor him with a plaque and praise him for his contribution to the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community. “In recognition of your continued support for displaced Kashmiri Pandits worldwide, we honor you Padamshree Honorable Frank Pallone Jr.”, read the plaque. The community was represented by Jeevan Zutshi, founding member and national director of Indo-American Kashmir Forum, who made a very impassioned speech about the plight of his displaced community in India.

The plaque was received, on Pallone’s behalf, by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, an upcoming and popular Congresswoman from California who also serves on Armed services and education committees. The other members of Congress from California were Xavier Bacerra,, Bob Filner, Mike Honda, Juanita Millender- McDonald, Diane Watson and Hilda Solis.