Jan Schakowsky seeking US Senate seat

CHICAGO: Jan Schakowsky, a US House of Representative from 9th District, announced her bid to run for US Senate seat that was vacated by Barack Obama and filled subsequently by Rolland Burris thru nomination process.

 Addressing a well attended Annual Tradition of Ultimate Women's Power Lunch hosted by several service organizations at Hyatt Regency Hotel here, the sixth term Congresswoman said that she was considering to run for the US Senate. Those present greeted her announcement with applause.

Almost 2000 people, mostly women, participated in the 8th annual Ultimate Women's Power Lunch fundraiser.  The keynote speakers were White House advisors Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen.

The high profile event was attended among others by prominent women leaders from Chicago and beyond, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Attorney General Lisa Madigan,  Dawn Clark Netsch and many others.  The event attracted leadership of women of all races, ethnicities and demography from all over the United Sates attended the convention. 

Congresswoman Schakowsky serves in the House Democratic Leadership as Chief Deputy Whip and as a member of the Steering and Policy Committee.  Her district includes the largest concentration of South Asian's in Illinois, including the well-known "Devon Avenue" strip on Chicago's north side, as well as Skokie, Niles, Evanston and other northern suburbs with a significant number of Indo-Pak residents. 

In January 2007, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed Schakowsky to serve on the House Select Committee on Intelligence.  Schakowsky opposed the Iraq war resolution and was a founding member of the Out-of-Iraq Caucus. 

She also called for a termination of Blackwater USA's contract in Iraq.  Her legislative victories include winning aid and assistance for victims of domestic violence and to protect the rights of battered immigrant women; election reform; housing for low-income families; and assistance for small business owners.

An Asian community activist, Mujeeb Osman presented a gift of hand drawn sketch portrait of President Obama to Rep Jan. He said that Indian and Pakistnai community would support her.  Notable among the attendees were Mujeeb Osman, Syed Taher Hussain, Naazish Yar Khan, Asma Akhras, Dr. Belsam Kashlan, Amina Saeed, Mohd. Safdar Ali, candidate for State Senate, educators, senior politicians and businessmen.