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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
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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