Hindu Americans Meet on Capitol Hill for Third Straight Year

WASHINGTON DC, (Sept. 30, 2006) – The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) concluded its third annual Government Outreach and Leadership Conference on September 28, 2006. Two days of individual meetings with over twenty-five senators and members of the House of Representatives, Department of Justice, and State Department were highlighted by a dinner reception held within the rotunda of the United States Capitol building on September 27, 2006.

The HAF delegation, consisting of foundation leaders, the executive director and core supporters, held discussions with government agencies and members of Congress and their staff on issues including Hindu human rights in South Asia and Fiji, the shared experience of Hindus in India and Americans victimized by terrorism emanating from Pakistani terror camps, and religious liberty in the United States. HAF members secured several endorsements for House Resolution 548, recognizing the Hindu, Jain and Sikh festival of Diwali, introduced by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) at HAF’s request. That resolution now has 38 co-sponsors. Another resolution proposed to complement the HAF authored Hindu human rights report of 2005 also secured strong support from several leaders, including members of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus

“We are proud to report that the Hindu American voice was heard loud and clear in our nation’s capital this week,” said Nikhil Joshi, Esq., member of the HAF Board of Directors. “With our presence here becoming an annual event, we can clearly see our influence, credibility and familiarity with the political process gaining exponentially.”

This year’s dinner reception, attended by close to 100 staffers and prominent Hindu Americans was held within the Capitol rotunda and was addressed by eight members of the House of Representatives. Congressmen Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Eliot Engel (D- NY), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) were presented awards for their service to the Hindu American community and advocacy on behalf of Hindu human rights globally. HAF members personally met with Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) and recognized their continuing support of Hindu Americans as well.

In comments that echoed those of the others, Rep. Crowley said, “The Hindu American Foundation’s presence here on the Hill has made it possible for important human rights issues to be heard that heretofore had never been addressed in any organized fashion. HAF must continue to press its case and I look forward to working with HAF as it does so.” Ed Royce (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) were among the other congressional leaders that delivered remarks at the meeting.

Beyond the critical discussions on human rights of Hindu minorities covered during HAF’s meetings with the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, the U.S. State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, and members of Congress, the contentious issue of religious conversions in India was also raised. HAF leaders presented the perspective of Hindus that while the Constitution of India guarantees freedom of religion, induced or coerced conversions are a threat to the pluralistic ethos of India and a form of exploitation. The dialogue on this increasingly important topic will continue, HAF leaders stated.

“Our reception and individual meetings were a resounding success this year with more co-sponsors of HAF-supported resolutions and with our foundation having educated more Congressman and government officials about our issues such as human rights,” said Ishani Chowdhury, Executive Director of HAF. “And this success was predicated, to a great extent, on increased visibility following weekly visits here in Washington. The Hindu American community has made possible our permanent presence here, and we are starting to see the dividends of that tremendous commitment.”

Related Images

	The Hindu American Foundation presents Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) the "HAF Advancement of Religious Freedom and Pluralism Award" on the steps on Capitol Hill at Foundation's Third Annual DC Legislative Days Program.
	Rediff India Abroad's Aziz Haniffa is the Hindu American Foundation's recipient of its first "Journalist of the Year" award.
	Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke about the need to fight terrorism at the Hindu American Foundation's Third Annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception.
	CFO of Washington, D.C., Dr. Natwar Gandhi, spoke of Hinduism's tolerance and pluralistic principles at the Hindu American Foundation's Third Annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception.
	Congressman Crowley (D-NY), with Executive Director Ishani Chowdhury, and Board of Directors Member, Nikhil Joshi, received the HAF Friend of the Community Award at the Hindu American Foundations 3rd Annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception.
	Congressman Wilson (R-SC), a long time friend and supporter of the Hindu and Indian American community, was presented the HAF Friend of the Community Award by Executive Director Ishani Chowdhury, and Member of Board of Directors, Nikhil Joshi.
	Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA) speaks passionately about the need to strengthen ties with the Hindu and Indian community, and for tolerance and pluralism.
	Ishani Chowdhury, Executive Director of the Hindu American Foundation presents Senator Cornyn (R-TX), co-chair of the Senate India Caucus, the HAF Advancement of Religious Freedom and Pluralism Award.
	Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) stresses the need for tolerance and diversity at the Hindu American Foundation Third Annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception.
	Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) receives HAF'S "Friend of the Community Award" from Dr. Mihir Meghani, President, at the Hindu American Foundation's Third Annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception.
	Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY), recipient of HAF's "Advancement of Religious Freedom and Pluralism Award," speaks on the contributions of the Hindu and Indian American community, at the Hindu American Foundation's Third Annual Capitol Hill Evening Reception.
	The Hindu American Foundation presents Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) with the HAF Advancement of Religious Freedom and Pluralism Award.

The Hindu American Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, non-partisan organization promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism.