Press Release
From left to right: Rohini Chopra, Dr. Balvinder Kaur, Aneesh Chopra and Dr. Rajwant Singh
at the White House reception
Washington, May 29, 2013: President Barack Obama praised the role of the Asian-American and Pacific Islanders in building America at a White House reception. Many high profile AAPI community leaders gathered from across the US. Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education, along with Aneesh Chopra, candidate for Lt. Governor of Virginia, were among the Indian Americans and Sikhs invited to the reception.
President Obama said, “We are here today to honor the incredibly rich heritage and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. And there’s no better example of that diversity than the people who are in this room. We've got members of Congress; we've got members of my administration; we've got lots of special guests and talented performers.
US President Barack Obama acknowledged Chandigarh born Srikanth Srinivasan, who created history by becoming first South Asian as a top federal judge, as one of his "favourite" persons. "One of my favorite people right now (is), Sri Srinivasan, who has just been confirmed," Last week, Srinivasan was confirmed by the US Senate (97-0) votes as a judge on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals, which is considered as the top court of the country after the Supreme Court.
 |
| SriKanth Srinivasan, Chandigarh born, first South Asian to become the top federal judge and who was nominated by Obama, standing with his twin children along with Dr. Rajwant Singh and his wife, Dr. Balvinder Kaur |
Obama fondly remembered learning Indian cooking and said, "I can think back on my college years when my roommates were Indian and Pakistanis, which is how I learned how to cook keema and dal," he said.
He continued. “But it’s more than food and family -- because generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders helped build this country, and helped to defend this country, and to make America what it is today. It’s a history that speaks to the promise of our nation -- one that welcomes the contributions of all people, no matter their color or their beliefs, because we draw from the rich traditions of everybody who calls America home. “E pluribus unum” -- out of many, one.”
Dr. Rajwant Singh while thanking President Obama for acknowledging the contributions of Asian-Americans, said, “President Obama’s administration has deliberately increased the presence of Asian-Americans in the government and certainly increased the visibility of children of those immigrants who have given so much to this nation. He said, “Sikh community has been part of the United States since late 1800s and we are proud of our community’s contribution in building this nation.”
Other Indian American guests included: Toby Chaudhuri, Adil Kabani, a White House Economic Policy Advisor, Dipankar Mukherjee, a theater artist from MN, Miran Kaur of Kaur Foundation and Ameeta K. Vohra from Baltimore.
Mr Obama opened his remarks by pointing out what he called “a sign of warmth” from the audience gathered in the White House — a lipstick smear on his collar. He pinned the blame on the aunt of Ms Jessica Sanchez, a runner-up on the talent show American Idol, who was in the audience. “I do not want to be in trouble with Michelle,” Mr Obama said in a joking reference to the first lady, “so I’m calling you out.”
 |
| Jacquelyn Martin/AP President Obama jokes about a lipstick stain on his shirt collar during a White House event celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. |
Obama also singled out Indian-American musician, producer and composer Karsh Kale, who was invited by the White House along with others for a performance on the occasion.
US President highlighted the need to overhaul the nation’s immigration system while respecting the history of Asians who’ve helped build and defend US.
He said, “In order to keep our edge and stay ahead in the global race, we need to figure out a way to fix our broken immigration system -- to welcome that infusion of newness, while still maintaining the enduring strength of our laws. And the service and the leadership of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have proved that point time and again.”
President Obama speaking at the occasion.