First Hindu in U.S. Congress

There was some amazing news recently here in America.  There have been a lot of firsts in politics in the last few years and this is one I am very excited about. Hawaii elected a Hindu into congress for the first time ever. Not only a Hindu, but a female Hindu.

Tulsi Gabbard took oath by swearing in on the Bhagavad Gita.

Her father is Catholic (though Wikipedia says he enjoys singing kirtan) and her mother is Hindu, but here’s the twist: her mother isn’t Indian. Gabbard is a non-Indian Hindu!

There are a lot of things that I appreciate about being an American. I am proud of my country when I see diversity like this. There are a lot of Americans who see this as a “Christian nation” but it is not. There are a lot of Christians, but those of us who are not still have a place and a voice.

 ‘It is clear that there needs to be a closer working relationship between the United States and India. How can we have a close relationship if decision-makers in Washington know very little, if anything, about the religious beliefs, values, and practices of India’s 800 million Hindus?’ Ms Gabbard asked, according to the Religion News Service news agency.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2229712/America-elects-Hindu-Congress-31-year-old-female-Iraq-War-vet-Tulsi-Gabbard.html#ixzz2FcP5ds2F
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This article also mentions Gabbard’s use of her faith while she was deployed in Iraq as well as how she hopes to be an example for young Hindu Americans.

I like to see religion and politics separated as much as possible, but this news makes me happy.

What do you think? Is it relevant to her work that Gabbard is a Hindu?