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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JANUARY 20, 2023 | The Indian Eye 20

‘Samosa Caucus’ celebrates historic

representation in Congress

118th Congress includes most Indian American members in US history

OUR BUREAU

Washington, DC
amosa Caucus,’ as Indian American lawmak-
ers have nicknamed themselves, celebrated
Stheir historic representation in the US Con-
gress with India-born entrepreneur-turned-politi-
cian Shri Thanedar taking their strength to five —
the highest in US history.
Thanedar, newly elected Democratic US
House member from Michigan joined all four
re-elected Indian American Democratic lawmak-
ers — Dr. Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khan-
na and Raja Krishnamoorthi — in celebrating the
landmark on Jan 11. “When I first took office in
2013, I was the only Indian American member of
Congress and the third ever in history,” recalled
Bera, a physician who represents California’s 6th
Congressional district, in a joint statement.
“Since that day, I have been committed to en-
suring we grow our representation in Congress. In
the past decade, I am proud to be joined by incred-
ible Indian American colleagues from around the
country—Representatives Jayapal, Khanna, and
Krishnamoorthi.”
“With the swearing-in of the 118th Congress,
our coalition has grown to a record number with
the election of Representative Thanedar,” noted
the doyen of Indian American lawmakers. the 118th Congress,” said Khanna, who represents science, medicine, and the military, the joint state-
Bera, Jayapal, Khanna, Krishnamoorthi, and California’s 17th district. ment noted.
Thanedar were sworn into the 118th Congress on Jan 7. “As the Indian-American community remains Indian Americans currently serve as the CEOs
“It’s important that we reflect on the historic one of our nation’s fastest growing, with a popu- of major companies including Microsoft (Satya
progress our country is making. I look forward to lation of more than four million, I am excited to Nadella), Google (Sundar Pichai), IMB (Arvind
welcoming even more Indian American members see our representation expanding in Congress as Krishna), and MasterCard (Ajay Banga). As of
of Congress in the future!” well,” said Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois, who the 2010 census, 70% of Indian Americans over
“As we enter the most diverse Congress ever, coined the ‘Samosa Caucus’ phrase. the age of 25 had college degrees, 2.5 times higher
I am reminded how much representation matters, “I look forward to working with Reps. Bera, than the national average.
for every community and culture across our coun- Jayapal, Khanna, and now Thanedar to continue The first Asian American and Indian Ameri-
try,” said Rep Jayapal, who represents Washington to address the key issues facing our community, can Member of Congress was Dalip Singh Saund,
state’s 7th Congressional district. “I am a proud including high-skilled immigration reform and who served in the US House of Representatives
naturalized citizen, the first South Asian American strengthening the partnership between the US and from 1957 to 1963.
woman elected to the House, and an immigrant India,” he stated. “As a new member of Congress In the 66 years between Saund’s election and
woman of color.” and the latest addition to an incredible group of In- the 2012 election of Ami Bera, Piyush “Bobby”
“Serving in Congress is a distinct honor, not dian American lawmakers, I look forward to getting Jindal was the only other member of Indian Amer-
only because I am able to deliver for my constit- to work for the American people” stated Thanedar. ican descent elected to the legislative branch of the
uents, but because I am able to show other South “The American dream is alive when an immi- federal government.
Asians that if I can make it into the halls of Con- grant from India can come to this country, earn Following the 2016 election, Kamala Harris
gress, so can they,” said Jayapal. “I am so grateful a degree, become a citizen, start a business, and made history as the first Indian American to be
to serve with such an inspiring cohort of fellow In- be elected by the people to represent them in sworn into the US Senate. Harris made history
dian Americans and I look forward to seeing our the Michigan State House and the United States again in 2020 with her election as the first woman
numbers continue to grow!” House of Representatives.” and first person of color in history to serve as US
“I’m so proud to serve in this diverse Congress “I hope to join Representatives Bera, Jayap- Vice President.
alongside a record number of Indian Americans. al, Khanna, and Krishnamoorthi in growing our Harris’ historic success opened a door with
Representation is crucial to serving Indian Ameri- historic representation in Congress by inspiring Indian Americans across the country running for
can communities and working to strengthen Amer- future generations,” he added. office at every level of government to ensure the
ica’s defense and strategic partnership with India. Indian Americans have made countless con- community’s voice continues to be at the deci-
I look forward to continuing our work together in tributions to American society, including in tech, sion-making table, the statement noted.

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