Tulsi Gabbard, First Hindu In Congress, Uses Bhagavad Gita At Swearing-In
The Bible and Torah have long been used at swearing-in ceremonies for members of Congress and have been joined by the Quran in more recent years, but this week marked the first time the Bhagavad Gita was used.
Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu to join either chamber of Congress, used the sacred text from her faith in a ceremonial swearing-in conducted by Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio).
"I chose to take the oath of office with my personal copy of the Bhagavad-Gita because its teachings have inspired me to strive to be a servant-leader, dedicating my life in the service of others and to my country," said Gabbard, who served in the Iraq War, after the swearing-in. "My Gita has been a tremendous source of inner peace and strength through many tough challenges in life, including being in the midst of death and turmoil while serving our country in the Middle East."
While no religious ceremony is legally required for those elected to Congress and the Senate, many choose to take oaths of office over Christian and Jewish texts, and Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, a Muslim, took his oath over a Quran. But Gabbard's choice of text is symbolic of growing religious diversity of Congress. ...................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/tulsi-gabbard-hindu-bhagavad-gita-swearing-in_n_2410078.html
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Hawai'i just keeps sending out exceptional people to serve this nation.
Lucky you!
I've been seeing Gabbard's interviews for a while now, and she really is impressive.
I think her committee assignments are going to be Armed Services and Homeland Security. I know she'll work hard for troops and vets. I just hope she'll be strong enough to fend off the MIC lobby.
here for 6 years in the 90s and then went to New York for 12 years and when I retired I came back here.
Thanks for that info on Tulsi.. I don't watch tv. Hopefully she'll remain strong as she is now.
His refrain goes something like, "Come, we sing! We dance! We go luau!"
My only personal connections to Hawaii include spending 45 minutes in an airport bar there enroute to serve in VN; being hospitalized in the Army with a great guy from Hawaii who probably is very big in the hospitality industry there now; and having a friend in the Forest Service who was assigned there.
If I ever get out your way, I know we'll have some great and memorable times together. We sing! We dance! We go luau! 
been back on DU! I just searched and found this from 2003..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x945158
I immediately knew who you were talking about.. wonder what he's up to these days?
Yeah, if you're ever out this way again be sure and let me know. 
I've been following articles about her for a while and I love everything I hear and read about her. As a veteran, I'm very happy to see more fellow veterans serve in our legislative branch - especially when these vets are democrats.
Without looking up to verify this information, I believe that at least one (if not both) of her parents also served in the state legislature or federal government at some point in the past.
Don't forget that she is still in her early 30s. She could have a very long career ahead of her. I hope that the powers that be see something special in her and groom her for some of the top positions in our government. I know that I'm getting way far ahead of myself here, but I'd be proud to support a SOS Tulsi Gabbard or President Tulsi Gabbard some day.
