Tremendous Gathering Features SALDEF Awardees and Commemorates 10 years of Service to Sikh Americans Washington, D.C. – On June 19, 2006 Sikhs from across the country along with elected officials and honored guests, gathered to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) as well as recognize individuals who have helped in the empowerment and development of the Sikh American Community. The Honorable Navdeep Singh Bains, a Sikh Canadian Member of Parliament provided the evening’s Keynote address. In his address, Mr. Bains spoke about the strength of character and Sikh tenets that led him to dedicate his life to public service. “SALDEF is an organization that I have a great amount of respect and admiration for,” said MP Bains. “There is no parallel institution of this caliber that does this kind of work for the Sikh community and all communities.” Additionally, SALDEF was honored to award Canadian MP Bains with its inaugural SALDEF Youth Leadership Award for his extraordinary achievement of being elected to the Canadian Parliament and for embracing his role as an inspiration to Sikh youth worldwide. Congressman Michael Honda (D-CA) was recognized as this year’s recipient of the Dalip Singh Saund Legislative Leadership Award. The award is named after Dr. Saund, a Sikh American who became the first Asian American ever elected to the United States Congress in 1956. When introducing Congressman Honda, SALDEF co-founder and Acting Chair Manjit Singh remarked, “very rarely have we had such a close friend for the Sikh Community in Congress. [Congressman Honda] has been the most steadfast friend and it gives us special honor and privilege to recognize him for his dedication and public service.” Congressman Honda, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, noted that, “Congressman Dalip Singh Saund had fought for his position. I also know that he could not become a Congressman when he wanted to be because of the discriminatory laws that were existing at that time that did not allow people like him nor people like me to become citizens.” He added, “SALDEF is an organization that not only stands up for all people’s rights, Sikhs specifically, but they also make sure the contract of our country, the Constitution is fulfilled, that the Bill of Rights are fulfilled. It is to those ends that I dedicate my life to public service.” This year’s SALDEF Public Service Award recognized Ms. Sharee Freeman, Director of the United States Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service. Since September 11, 2001 Ms. Freeman has led CRS by vigilantly addressing issues that directly affect the Sikh American Community. In conjunction with SALDEF, CRS has helped educate thousands of law enforcement, airport screeners and security personnel across the country about the Sikh faith. In her acceptance speech, Director Freeman said, “In my mind, an award like this is for those who toil long and hard in communities across the country and who are rarely recognized for their hard work. Those are the people this award is for, not me.” This year’s Dorothy Height Coalition Building Award was presented to the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) for their efforts to build and sustain coalitions within the civil rights community. Ms. Height’s tireless efforts in struggling for equal rights included building bridges among a range of different communities. Accepting the award on behalf of ADC, the Honorable Mary Rose Oakar noted, “The great thing about our country is its diversity, it’s cultural and religious diversity. I thank SALDEF for this award and for its tremendous work on behalf of the Sikh American community.” Recognizing the achievements of a member of the Sikh American community, the Bhagat Singh Thind Community Empowerment Award was presented to Ratanjit Singh Sondhe of Ohio. An internationally renowned chemist, entrepreneur, stress-free expert, author, speaker and consultant, Dr. Sondhe has been an active voice on behalf of the Sikh community through lobbying for legislation and interfaith outreach. Among the guests attending the Banquet was Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX). In her remarks to the congregation the Congresswoman commented, “What an honor to be able to say a decade of service in fighting for equality, respect and dignity that comes when we eliminate discrimination amongst us. I congratulate SALDEF for its special leadership and acknowledge the many honorees that are here today.” Also highlighted during the event was the case of Mr. Jaswant Singh who contacted SALDEF to help resolve a case of employment discrimination with Domino’s Pizza. The statement that was delivered on Mr. Singh’s behalf read, “Soon after I started working [for Domino’s], I was told by the owner of the local franchise that I would not be allowed to wear my turban while working. I was absolutely humiliated by this request and felt that it was a violation of my religious beliefs as a Sikh American.” Thanking SALDEF for addressing this issue, Mr. Singh added, “I am now free to practice my religion openly at work, and I am grateful to SALDEF for working so quickly and diligently on this issue. To read more about Mr. Singh’s case, please click here. Additionally, SALDEF was fortunate to have Mr. Harry Kao and Mr. Paramjitinder Singh Dhillon, of the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American Affairs attend and present SALDEF with a citation of commendation from Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. The citation partially reads, “The growing Sikh American community is part of this vibrant diversity, which is maintained and glorified through our freedom of association and expression and the sense of pride we all hold for our individual heritage. As Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I commend [SALDEF] for everything they have done over the years for the Commonwealth and its citizens.” At the end of the night, SALDEF Interim Managing Director Kavneet Singh specifically highlighted the hard work, dedication and passion of SALDEF’s co-founders Manjit Singh and Jaideep Singh. Kavneet addressed the audience noting that, “It would be a tragedy to not recognize the contributions that [Manjit Singh and Jaideep Singh] have had over the past 10 years as true sevaks (selfless servants).” He went on to thank Manjit Singh and recognize him as one “who has given of his life, his time, and of his whole-being, dedicated solely to the service and the betterment of the Sikh community.” SALDEF would like to thank Congressman Michael Honda, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Canadian Member of Parliament Navdeep Singh Bains, Ms. Sharee Freeman, Ratanjit Singh Sondhe, and the staff of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) for their work and support. SALDEF would also like to thank our many sponsors including Sevatec Inc, the Chardhi Kaala Sikh Community Center, Galaxy Home Furnishings, and the Sikh Education and Charitable Trust for their support, as well as Camille’s Restaurant for catering the affair, our coalition partners and of course the Sikh American community who attended from all across the country.
