Creating Sikh American history, SALDEF’s SikhLEAD held the first-ever Langar on Capitol Hill, introducing Congressional leaders, colleagues and neighbors to a Sikh American way of life. Reflecting the values of langar, all faiths and races were invited and they sat together on the floor sharing a simple, vegetarian meal in the Rayburn Building of the U.S. House of Representatives.

National leaders, including Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA), and Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA), addressed the gathering, reflecting on Sikh American contributions, alongside their ongoing commitment to serve Sikh American communities across the nation. Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) also visited the langar.

During the event, Congresswoman Chu-a co-chair of the American Sikh Caucusannounced that the Caucus, through its cochair Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), along with 32 other co-sponsors from around the country, introduced a resolution honoring the memory of the attack on the Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin (H.Res. 698).

Congresswoman Chu also accepted the Dalip Singh Saund Award in recognition of the American Sikh Caucus’ support of the Sikh American community. Jasjit Singh, SALDEF’S Executive Director, also spoke on the significance of Langar as a 500 year-old anti-segregation movement, and celebrated the remarkable leadership demonstrated by this year’s SikhLEAD Internship Class.