Langar on the Hill 2016 Co-hosted by Senator Harry Reid and Congressman Mike Honda
On July 6th, 2016, SALDEF’s largest SikhLEAD Internship class created history again hosting the largest Congressional and community gathering in Sikh American history on Capitol Hill. Sponsored by Senator Harry Reid in conjunction with Congressman Mike Honda, over 500 Congressional staff, community members, and friends from varied professions, political backgrounds, and spiritual paths gathered to learn about Sikh values. Together we celebrated Sikh American contributions and heard why our Congressional leaders are dedicated to creating a more inclusive environment for Sikh Americans, while sharing in a Sikh tradition at the third annual Langar on the Hill. Featured speakers included: Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA 17); Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA 7); Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-GA 2); Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY 14); Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA 41); Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA 27); Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA 3); Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA 30); Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ 6); Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA 19); Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX 18); Senior Advisor Chandra Bhatnagar (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission); Director Paul Monteiro (Department of Justice Community Relations Service). We extend our sincere gratitude to the following communities who supported the SikhLEADers in this endeavor: Guru Nanak Foundation of America (Silver Spring, MD); Guru Gobind Singh Foundation (Rockville, MD); Raj Khalsa Gurdwara (Sterling, VA); Sewa Gurdwara Sahib (Roswell, GA); Sikh Center of Virginia (Manassas, VA); Sikh Foundation of Virginia (Fairfax Station, VA); Sikh Gurdwara DC (Washington, DC); Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina (Durham, NC); Sikh Religious Society Palatine Gurdwara (Palatine, IL); Singh Sabha of Virginia (Fairfax, VA); and Tri-State Sikh Cultural Society (Monroeville, PA). We would also like to thank Bombay Cafe of Fairfax, Virginia and the countless volunteers from the local sangat who supported the event. Stay tuned for more pictures, video and media coverage of Sikh American history!