Congressman Jim McDemott, Washington Democrat, and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, who kicked off the celebration, declared, "This is a day that will stand the test of time really. It's an event that history will not forget because this portrait is of a man that inspired many to believe in their dreams and to follow their destinies."
"To be the first to do anything is always a challenge," he said, but said that while it was a ceremony to honor him, "Dalip Singh Saund would want us instead to honor all Asian-Americans, not just Indians, not just the first Californian, whatever. That's the kind of person he was."
McDermott said, "Indian-Americans came to this country filled with the idea of the American dream and he (Saund) really carried it all the way to the top as the first Indian-American elected to the Congress in 1956. Think about how long ago that was and what kind of country that was in terms of discrimination and all the things we yet had to go through -- the 1960s, all the civil rights things -- he came to Congress before that."
He spoke of how Saund -- a farmer, before he took to politics -- "brought his skill of being a farmer to till the land here in the nation's capital, where he nourished and grew a commitment for equality, not only for Indian-Americans, but for all Asian-Americans. He was a trailblazer."
McDermott said, "We know Dalip Singh Saund for his vision and his courage and in the face of adversity, he believed in America and the power of one person to make a difference."
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