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El Sobrante, CA (KP) - On Saturday, May 20th, the Bay Area Sikh Community hosted a fundraiser for Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Jackie Speier at Harpreet Singh Sandhu's home set in the rolling hills of El Sobrante, California. This was her second visit to a Sikh community event. The Senator had previously visited Fremont Gurdwara Sahib on Sunday, March 26, 2006, where she was honored by the management for her leadership in the State.
Senator Jackie Speier is currently the only state elected official to have a Gursikh on her legislative staff in Sacramento. She has and continues to be a strong supporter to expand hate crimes provisions aimed at better protecting all Californians, including Sikh-Americans who have suffered tremendously in the aftermath of September 11th. Most recently, she helped facilitate high level meetings between national Sikh civil rights groups and California prison officials in an effort to prevent inmates who practice the Sikh faith from having their hair forcibly cut or removed. Below, are exclusive pics provided to Panthic Weekly containing highlights of the event.
Senator Speier is welcomed by San Pablo Mayor Genoveva Garcia Calloway, and Host Committee Chairs Satinder Singh Malhi and Harpreet Singh Sandhu.
Host Committee Co-Chairs Bhai Gurmeet Singh Khalsa and Surinderjeet Singh Bajwa listen to Senator Speier as she fondly reminisces about her visit to Fremont Gurdwara this past March.
Kavneet Singh talks about multiple incidences of hate crimes, racial profiling and employment discrimination that many Sikhs have faced in the aftermath of September 11th, and
proactive steps that he and others have taken to address them.
Senator Speier pictured above with several young Gursikhs. Afterwards, she encouraged them to give back to their communities and consider careers in public service when they grow older.
Senator Speier addresses a captive audience, discussing among other things, her harrowing, near death experience in the jungles of Guyana, where as a young congressional aide to Congressman Leo Ryan in 1978, she was shot five times and left to die as she accompanied him on a fact-finding mission to Jonestown to uncover the truth about the People's Temple led by the Rev. Jim Jones. Over 900 people died that fateful day including Congressman Ryan, the first and only Congressman to be killed in the line of duty.
Senator Speier thanks the Sikh community for all their hard work and support of her candidacy and encourages them to register to vote for the upcoming primary election on June 6th.
Satinder Singh Malhi, legislative aide to Senator Speier, is warmly embraced by the Senator as she praises his efforts to help educate her and other lawmakers about the Sikh faith and its customs, while noting the fact that she is the only elected official to have a Sikh on her legislative staff in Sacramento and help break the "turban barrier" in the State Capitol.
Harpreet S. Sandhu and Senator Speier view several historical and rare pictures highlighting the significant contributions made by Sikh soldiers in World War II. Senator Speier expressed disappointment with the fact that France, a country who Sikhs helped now enforces a ban on the turban there.
Background on Sentor Jackie Speier
Senator Jackie Speier's legacy as a policy maker and public servant, begun over 25 years ago and continuing today as Assistant President Pro-Tem of the California Senate, is one of leadership, passion and courage.
Jackie's story and her commitment to public service began in Guyana in 1978 when, as a young congressional staff person, she nearly lost her life in an attempt to uncover the facts regarding the Reverend Jim Jones and his People's Temple followers in Guyana. Over 900 people died that fateful day, including Congressman Leo Ryan and four other people traveling with him. Jackie was shot five times and left to die. As she has said many times, those 22 hours alone on the tarmac waiting for help to arrive molded her philosophy, her zest for work and life, and allowed her to see that no one is guaranteed a tomorrow. This extraordinary event has shaped her legislative agenda, her commitment to giving a voice to those who are not heard, and her tenacious ability to fight for her constituents and for the State of California.
(Photo Credits: Satinder Singh Malhi)
For more information and to find out how you can contribute, please visit http://www.jackiespeier2006.com or e-mail sikhs4jackie@yahoo.com
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