Presidential
Message | 2005 Achievements
Greetings
and Namaste,
As the Hindu
American Foundation (HAF) moves into its third full
year, we want to take this opportunity to review some
major achievements and thank you for your continued
support.
HAF
has established itself as a well-respected and credible
voice for Hindu-Americans. Our focus continues
to be on educating the institutions that shape American
public opinion and policy in America about the perspectives
of Hindu-Americans. On the government-front, we regularly
correspond with elected officials, the judiciary, and
institutions such as the Justice Department, the White
House, and the U.S. Commission for International Religious
Freedom. Our work has resulted in effective hearing
of Hindu-American issues and specific action in response
to our concerns. In 2004 we introduced the first ever
Diwali resolution in the United States House of
Representatives with a few supporters, but in 2005 we
were able to obtain over 30 Congressional supporters.
We educated elected officials about Hindu views on religious
expression in public institutions and informed them
of
Hindu human rights concerns. Our legal
brief was cited by the Supreme Court in a dissenting
opinion in the
Texas 10 Commandments case. Journalists routinely
come to HAF for a credible Hindu-American voice.
We have also laid down a network for interaction with
journalists, academics and non-governmental organizations
from a wide range of political, religious, and ideological
backgrounds. In the past year alone, HAF
was featured in Newsweek, USA Today, National Geographic,
Fox News, Times of India, Hindustan Times, India Abroad
and over 1,500 other media outlets! HAF
also released the
first-ever survey of Hindu human rights in South Asia
as well as a guide to advise Hindu groups on how to
apply for federal grants as part of the US government's
"Faith-Based and Community Initiatives" program.
While we have an outstanding team, volunteerism has
limitations. To support our team, we added a full-time
office manager to provide back-office support in Tampa,
Florida. We hope to raise $1,000,000
with which to start an endowment fund to support a Washington,
D.C. based office with a larger team of professional
staff to handle ongoing work and take on new projects.
Our goal is to continue to be nothing less than the
best and the most professional group representing Hindu-American
interests, but we need your support!
Please consider a charitable
contribution to take advantage of a tax-deduction.
Visit our website www.hinduamericanfoundation.org
for a pledge form and mail a check to the following
address:
Hindu
American Foundation,
P.O.
Box 48528, Tampa,
FL 33647. If you would like to donate appreciated assets
such as stocks or mutual funds, please contact our office
at 877-281-2838. HAF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization
and all contributions may be fully tax-deductible (consult
with your tax advisor).
Additionally, if you would
like to a host a Hindu Awareness Campaign program in
your community where HAF can talk about the issues facing
Hindu Americans, please contact us.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Executive
Council of the Hindu American Foundation, I extend my
sincerest thanks for your support. We look forward to
an even better 2006!
With Best Wishes for a Happy New Year,
Mihir Meghani, M.D.
President,
Hindu American Foundation |
