During the 113th Session of the United States Congress, which was in session from January 3, 2013 to January 3, 2015, Members of Congress came together to address issues of concern to and in support of the Sikh American community. “We are thankful to have such strong allies in the United States Congress,” said Jasjit Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). “The efforts of these Congressmen reflect the commitment to our values of equality, justice, and diversity. We look forward to working with them and other Members of Congress on issues of concern for the Sikh American community and in furtherance of a stronger America.” Highlights of the 113th Congress include:
- The formation of the bipartisan American Sikh Caucus by founding Co-Chairs, Rep. Judy Chu, Ph.D. (D-CA) and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA). The Caucus has over 30 members and now includes Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA) as additional Co-Chairs.
- Rep. Ami Bera, M.D. (D-CA) and Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) led an effort to urge the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to change their rules which prevented observant Sikhs from competing in international basketball games while wearing their turbans, a religiously mandated article of faith.
- Rep. Crowley (D-CA) and Rep. Rodney Frelinguysen (R-NJ) led over 100 Members of Congress in calling on Secretary Chuck Hagel and the Department of Defense to end a presumptive ban on Sikh Americans from serving in the military due to their articles of faith.
- Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), the Co-Chairs of the American Sikh Caucus, and 26 other Members of Congress
- Rep. Valadao and Rep. Chu led over 20 Members in calling on the FBI to track hate crimes against Sikh Americans in the Hate Crime Reporting form. They joined the over 90 members who signed on to a letter led by Rep. Crowley earlier calling on the FBI to include an anti-Sikh category.
- Rep. Garamendi, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY) introduced resolutions commemorating Vaisakhi, a Sikh holiday.
- Rep. Chu and Rep. Valadao, on behalf of the American Sikh Caucus, introduced a resolution honoring the victims of the attack on the gurdwara in Oak Creek Wisconsin.
- Rep. Bera, Rep. Chu, Rep. Honda, Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) all participated in the first-ever Langar on Capitol Hill, a celebration of the Sikh tradition of service and equality.
- Members of Congress hosted Sikh American interns in their offices through the SikhLEAD program which attempts to expose young Sikh American students to public service. Host offices included: Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI), Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY), and Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA).