The Vermont Democratic Party today announced that Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) will be the keynote speaker at the Party’s Curtis-Hoff Leadership Awards Dinner in Burlington on April 13th. Jayapal, serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Senior Whip in the House Democratic Caucus, and lead sponsor of the Medicare for All Act of 2019. The first Indian-American woman elected to Congress, Jayapal’s focus is on fighting income equality; ensuring access to education, from early learning to higher education, including debt-free college; expanding Social Security and Medicare; protecting our environment; and civil and human rights for all.
Jayapal is also the founder of Hate Free Zone, now OneAmerica, the largest immigrant and refugee advocacy organization in Washington State. During her time with OneAmerica, Jayapal successfully sued the Bush Administration's Immigration and Naturalization Services to prevent the deportation of over 4,000 Somalis across the country. In Congress, Jayapal continues to stand up to the Trump Administration on immigration policy.
Created to honor David W. Curtis, the late Vermont Democratic Party Chair and esteemed civil rights attorney, the name of the awards dinner was changed last year shortly after the death of Governor Phil Hoff, the law partner and political mentor to Curtis. This will mark the 20th annual dinner and awards ceremony, and the first under the name “Curtis-Hoff.” Award recipients will be announced next week. Tickets are available at the Party website: vtdemocrats.org
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