Post-911 Murder of Pakistani Grocer Puts Family in Jeopardy; Rep. Holt Brings Family to D.C., Asks Congress to Keep Them in U.S.

2/12/2003

From: Jennifer Salan of the Arab American Institute, 202-429-9210 Web site: http://www.aaiusa.org

News Advisory:

Rep. Holt (D-N.J.) will announce at a press conference the introduction of a private relief bill to grant green cards to the wife and four daughters of 911-victim Waqar Hasan. When Waqar died, his family's visas died with him. All other legal remedies to keep the family in the United States have been exhausted. The Holt private relief bill is their last chance to stay in the U.S. The Hasan family currently lives in Milltown, N.J.

Mark Anthony Stroman walked into Waqar Hasan's convenience store in Dallas, Texas on the night of Sept. 15, 2001, four days after 911, and shot the 46-year-old father of four in the face. When asked by police why he shot Waqar, Stroman expressed no remorse. "I did it to retaliate on local Arab Americans or whatever you want to call them," he said. "I did what every American wanted to do but didn't." Stroman is now on death row.

WHO: -- U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) -- Duri Hasan (widow), Asna (daughter, age 17), and Anum (daughter age, 16) -- Jean AbiNader, managing director, Arab American Institute

WHAT: Press Conference on Private Relief Bill for Hasan Family

WHERE: Cannon House Office Building Room No. 402

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

VISUALS: Mother and two daughters, pictures of deceased, and American flag

Founded in 1985, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is a nonprofit organization committed to the civic and political empowerment of Americans of Arab descent. AAI provides policy, research and public affairs services to support a broad range of community activities.