A former co-chair of the India Caucus has added an amendment to a bill in the US House of Representatives commending the contributions of Specialist Uday Singh, the first Sikh American to die while fighting in Iraq.
Representative Joseph Crowley (Democrat from New York), the former co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, on Thursday added the amendment to the Defence Authorization Bill.
Crowley said he wanted to make the amendment to honour the diversity of the men and women serving.
He specifically commended the contribution of "Specialist Singh who joined the military because he believed in what the United States represents and because he felt the strong desire to fight for the freedoms we have here."
The Crowley amendment was included in the en-bloc managers amendment and the final bill passed 390-39.
"Diversity is an essential part of the strength of the Armed Forces, in which members having different ethnic backgrounds and faiths share the same goal of defending the cause of freedom, democracy and liberty," said Crowley.
The Congressman represents one of the most diverse districts in the country, including one of the largest populations of Indian Americans.
{{/usCountry}}The Congressman represents one of the most diverse districts in the country, including one of the largest populations of Indian Americans.
{{/usCountry}}More than 1,500 US Armed Service members have been killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
"They represent all nationalities, just as they represent all states in the union," Crowley maintained. The Armed Forces are representative of the diverse culture and backgrounds that make the United States a great nation, he contended.
"At a time when racism and discrimination still exist, I feel that it is especially important to take a moment to recognize and appreciate the contribution of Americans like Mr Singh. These men and women gave their lives, sacrificed time with their families and bravely served their countries in the war on terror," he added.
The Defence Authorization Bill (HR 1815) provides authorization for funding for forces in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other strategic theatres.