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US to name building after NRI Congressman
The House of Representatives voted to name a postal office building after Dalip Saund, reports Gurmukh Singh.
At last, America honoured the first Indian-American Congressman, the late Dalip Singh Saund, on Wednesday when all 410 members of the House of Representatives voted to name a postal office building after him in his former congressional district in California.
Saund, who was born near Amritsar in 1899 and came to Berkeley in 1920 for a PhD in mathematics, later represented California's 29th congressional district in the US Congress for three terms from 1957.
Under the HR-120 Bill okayed by the House on Wednesday, the post office on Rancho Road at Temecula in California will be re-designated as Dalip Singh Saund Post Office building.
Temecula falls in the late Saund's congressional district.
Congressman Issa, who sponsored the bill (HR 120) to name the post office after Saund, said, "The Dalip Singh Saund Post Office building will honour an American who followed his dream to the United States, broke barriers, and served as a representative of the people. This Act of Congress will preserve Congressman Saund's legacy and honours the success of all immigrants from India and their accomplishments."
The legislation will now go to the Senate for voting, and then to President Bush for his signature to become the Dalip Singh Saund Post Office Building Designation Act.
The newly elected Congressman Bobby Jindal, who is the second Indian-American after Saund to enter the US House of Representatives, co-sponsored HR 120.
Praising his predecessor, Jindal said, "Dalip Saund's story is one of determination and true accomplishment. He personifies the idea that every person can, through hard work and dedication, achieve amazing heights.
