Organizer Kirtan Singh Khalsa introduced Dr. Judy Chu as the "most recognizable politician for Sikhs in the United Sates. I have the privilege to introduce someone who I consider to be a very dear friend, not only to myself personally but more importantly to the entire Sikh community, for the whole state of California, for the United States and beyond. This is Judy Chu. You know her, she is probably the most known person for the Sikh community in the United Sates government. That's not a coincidence, she has served to help and assist our community for more than 15 years and she has been present for this Baisakhi celebration for that long as well."
Judy Chu was a California state assembly woman in 2001 during the
wake of 9/11. In her position she was the first U.S. politician to
stand up for Sikhs when she passed legislation
to crack down on hate crimes. Now she is a congresswoman and has had
strong ties with the Sikh community all these years. In fact she helped
to found the country's first congressional Sikh caucus which serves to "be
the voice for American Sikhs in the House of Representatives, working
across the aisle to address the unique challenges that this community
faces."
During last weeks Vaisakhi celebration in Los Angeles she was invited to speak to the congregation, "Sat Nam, Sat Sri Akal. Thank you for inviting me to help celebrate Baisakhi with you and greetings from Washington D.C. I've been invited to this event for the past 14 years and I've attended all 14 times, and it is truly my honor to do so, so that I can be here with all of you to celebrate the birth of the Khalsa." She continued to speak and expressed that she wants Americans to know that the first Asian to sit in the House of Representatives was a Sikh: Dalip Singh Saund. She spoke of how beautiful it was that langar was served at capital hill. She addressed hate crimes against Sikhs and the recent breakthrough, after years of effort, that the FBI and DoJ recently started tracking hate crimes against Sikhs as a specific group. At this the sangat called out "Bole so nihal, sat sri akaaaaal." Then she presented a "certificate of congressional recognition to the Sikh community of southern California,"which was answered with another Jaikara.
After her speech SikhNet had a chance to catch up with her and she added, "I am chair of the congressional Sikh caucus and I have long had admiration for the Sikh community and the beautiful religion. I have also felt very strongly that we need to ensure that we have diversity and an appreciation for of all of our different religions, that's why I fight so hard against hate crimes against Sikhs. It's a time to reflect on where Sikhs are and where we're going and I pledge that I will continue to help Sikhs wherever I can."
The next guest speaker was John Chiang. He is known in California because in his previous position as State Controller he stood up against an executive order from then Governor Schwarzenegger. This last year he gained the position of state Treasurer. During his speech to the congregation he expressed that even though he is missing Easter Sunday celebrations as a practicing Catholic, he is attending, "but I think it is important that we celebrate each others faiths because at the core we celebrate each other. We are all the children of God and we are all brothers and sisters under that God...
This is the first opportunity I have as you state Treasurer to recognize the Sikh community. I just want to thank you for your extraordinary contributions. I am honored to present a resolution, I did it six times as Controller, this is my first time as Treasurer, to honor the community.
SikhNet asked him his feelings on the Sikh community, "The Sikh community has been an invaluable contributor to the progress and hopes of California. I'm delighted to see their progress and I look forward to our partnership in overcoming many of the hardships that not only affect the Sikh community but our general community."
Mr. John Alford chief policy assistant for the state of California came on behalf of congressman Brad Sherman to pay respects to the Sikh community on Vaisakhi.
"The Sikh community is a blessing to us, it's a blessing to the United States and congressman Sherman wanted to express as much today. In true Brad Sherman like fashion he asked the architect of the capital to have flown over the capital dome this flag and dedicated it to celebrating the Sikh community across the globe. Thank you for your work, happy Baisakhi and on behalf of congressman Brad Sherman I'd like to say thank you."
Treasurer John Chiang with Nirinjan Singh Khalsa
