Current Events
Vice-Presidential Nominee’s Shining Record:
Hilary Clinton’s Running Mate,
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine
NEWS REPORT
US Democratic Presidential nominee Hilary Clinton named Virginia’s former Governor, Senator Tim Kaine, as her running mate and Vice-Presidential nominee on Friday, July 22, 2016.
He was introduced to the general American electorate this afternoon (Saturday, July 23, 2016) in Miami, Florida, by former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, followed by a remarkable and impassioned speech by Senator Kaine himself, before an audience of thousands at the Florida International University.
Tim Kaine is no stranger to Sikh-Americans.
Less than three months ago, on April 4, 2016, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, as member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Army making a long-term religious accommodation for Captain Simratpal Singh, a decorated Sikh-American Army officer, who will be allowed to serve without having to abandon his articles of faith:
“For the past three years, I have pressed the [US] Department of Defense to rescind a policy that effectively deterred practicing Sikhs from serving in the military.
“No American should have to choose between his or her religion and service to our country. I’m very pleased with the Army’s decision to make a long-term accommodation for Captain Singh and would encourage the DoD [Department of Defense] to consider fully repealing its policy demanding practicing Sikh- American soldiers give up some of the foundational aspects of their religion.
“Equality among all members of our armed forces will make our military more cohesive and stronger in today’s modern world.”
Kaine had previously urged the DoD to modify its policy to allow practicing Sikhs to serve, in 2013 and 2014, and 2015.
July 23, 2016
Conversation about this article
1: Gurpal Singh Bhuller (Vienna, Virginia, USA), July 25, 2016, 10:41 PM.
Let us also not forget the speech he gave at the Richmond Gurdwara in April 2013 on Thomas Jefferson and Sikhi that was published in these very columns.