NAMES & FACES

Congress Phat-tens Up

Friday, February 4, 2005; Page C03

If you see new members of Congress wandering the halls in brand-new sneakers, tell 'em you like their "Phat Farms," or "Baby Phats" (for women), as the case may be.

The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding held an Ethnic Congressional Members reception Wednesday morning in the Rayburn Building and rubbed shoulders with five of the new members -- Dem brothers Sen. Ken Salazar and Rep. John Salazar of Colorado, as well as Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), Al Green (D-Tex.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). Oh, also popping in were MPAA President Dan Glickman and Ambassadors Daniel Ayalon (Israel) and Jose Octavio Bordon (Argentina).

So where'd they get the shoes? Thanks be to Russell Simmons, who among his many activities (hip-hop mogul, founder of Phat Farm fashions) is also the foundation's chairman. He couldn't make it to the reception, so he threw in some comfy footwear, because, as they say, as soon as you arrive in Congress you start running for office.

But it seems cowboy-boots-sportin' John Salazar is leaving his sneaks in the office. He told the crowd: "I could never let my constituents see me in hip-hop sneakers!"

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Copyright © 2005 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding

The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp.
We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is
the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding.

1 East 93rd Street, Suite #1C
New York, New York, 10128
ffeu@ffeu.org
(Tel) 917-492-2538, (Fax) 917-492-2560

		NAMES & FACES Congress Phat-tens Up Friday, February 4, 2005; Page C03 If you see new members of Congress wandering the halls in brand-new sneakers, tell 'em you like their "Phat Farms," or "Baby Phats" (for women), as the case may be. The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding held an Ethnic Congressional Members reception Wednesday morning in the Rayburn Building and rubbed shoulders with five of the new members -- Dem brothers Sen. Ken Salazar and Rep. John Salazar of Colorado, as well as Reps. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), Al Green (D-Tex.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). Oh, also popping in were MPAA President Dan Glickman and Ambassadors Daniel Ayalon (Israel) and Jose Octavio Bordon (Argentina). So where'd they get the shoes? Thanks be to Russell Simmons, who among his many activities (hip-hop mogul, founder of Phat Farm fashions) is also the foundation's chairman. He couldn't make it to the reception, so he threw in some comfy footwear, because, as they say, as soon as you arrive in Congress you start running for office. But it seems cowboy-boots-sportin' John Salazar is leaving his sneaks in the office. He told the crowd: "I could never let my constituents see me in hip-hop sneakers!" # # # Copyright © 2005 The Foundation For Ethnic Understanding The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding was founded in 1989 by Rabbi Marc Schneier and the late Joseph Papp. We are committed to the belief that direct, face-to-face, dialogue between leaders of ethnic communities is the most effective path toward the reduction of bigotry and the promotion of reconciliation and understanding. 1 East 93rd Street, Suite #1C New York, New York, 10128 ffeu@ffeu.org (Tel) 917-492-2538, (Fax) 917-492-2560