Additional congratulatory comments were offered by Assembly member Jim Cooper, Sacramento Sheriff Scott Jones, Former Assemblymember Mariko Yamada, State Senator Ted Gaines, and a representative for Assemblymember Susan Eggman.
Republican National Committeewoman Harmeet Kaur Dhillon’s remarks emphasized the importance of Sikh leaders in all levels of civic leadership from the local planning commission to running for political office. Dhillon herself ran for State Assembly, she previously served as Chairwoman of the San Francisco Republican Party, and was the first female Vice Chair of the California Republican Party. Today, she serves as the RNC National Committeewoman and made international headlines by offering Sikh prayers at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
Other elected guests at the Civic Dinner included Assembly members Kevin McCarty and James Gallagher, Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, and Elk Grove City Councilman Steve Detrick.
A slideshow showcasing the one-hundred year history of Sikhs in American public life was delivered by ASPAA board member Bhajan Singh. “It is important for this next generation to understand the challenges our parents have overcome to establish their identity as both Americans and Sikh,” said Singh. The slideshow and event program featured information commemorating Dalip Singh Saund; the first Indian, first Asian, and first Sikh Congressman elected in 1957, and Bhagat Singh Thind; who challenged American citizenship laws that barred Indian immigrants.
ASPAA proudly introduced a large list of Sikh civic leader from throughout California including Preet Didbal, Yuba City Council Member; Kash Gill, Yuba City Council Member; Amarpreet Dhaliwal, San Joaquin Mayor; Parveen Tumber, West Sacramento Planning Commissioner; Mandeep Grewal, Modesto City Council Member; Gary Singh, Manteca City Council Candidate; Sarb Takhar, Chair of the Sutter County Republican Party; Mikey Hothi, California Democratic Party Delegate; and Amar Shergill, California Democratic Party Delegate.
Community leaders from other faith organizations also joined the event including Jon Fish from the Sacramento County Interfaith Council, Basim Elkarra from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), and Father Joshua Lickter from the Anglican Church in North America. Dr. Tom and Felicia Bhe were introduced as the organization noted its gratitude for the leadership of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association and the Organization of Chinese Americans.
Closing remarks were offered by Darshan Mundy, ASPAA board member and public relations officer for the West Sacramento Gurdwara Sahib, who thanked the event’s attendees and sponsors for their generous contributions to the association. Sponsors for the event included Ameriquest Insurance Brokers, Sai Decor, Shergill Law Firm, Lakeview Energy Services, Tooley Oil Company, Chevron, American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association, Singh Law Firm, Pacific Wine and Spirits, Dr. Jasbir Gill and Family, Rapid Trans. Inc., Sam Chahal, Core-Mark, Staten Solar, Universal ATM, Subway, and Umpqua Bank.
Earlier that day at the State Capitol, ASPAA hosted a seminar at the California State Capitol with the office of Assembly member Jim Cooper. Asm. Cooper has remained a strong ally of the Sikh community after leading an effort that led to California’s recognition of the 1984 Genocide against the Sikh community in Punjab, India. His district office is also led by the only Sikh district director in the State Assembly, Mikey Singh Hothi. Hothi helped facilitate the capitol event which featured Assemblymember Cooper and guest speakers Amar Shergill from the American Sikh Public Affairs Association, Winty Singh of the Sikh Coalition, and Deep Singh from Jakara, a Sikh youth organization.
“This Sikh seminar is the first of its kind,” says Amar Shergill, “It is the first step in truly embracing California’s diversity and empowering minority communities like the Sikhs in the legislative process.” Shergill, who serves as a board member for ASPAA is also a delegate for the California Democratic Party and hopes to partner with legislators to create Capitol internships and voter registration programs that engage the Sikh community in the civic process.
The American Sikh Public Affairs Association works to empower members of the Sikh community in civic and public affairs through education, active participation, and leadership development. If you are interested in upcoming events, voter registration/education campaigns or our legislative internship programs, please contact [email protected].
