SCHAUMBURG, IL (April 26, 2017) — U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8) on Friday met with leaders from local Hindu, Sikh, and Jain-American communities to continue work with the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Muslim-American communities in and around his district on unique and shared concerns.
The discussion included an overview of Krishnamoorthi’s strong objections to the CNN program Believer’s wrongful portrayal of Hinduism, his continuing efforts on immigration issues, and his ongoing work to address the national increase in hate crimes. Over the course of the discussion, participants shared personal stories of the challenges they faced from the growing national climate of hostility and increasing fears around hate-motivated violence. Krishnamoorthi then visited the BAPS Mandir in Bartlett, Illinois where he was felicitated for his election to Congress, and he met with leaders to further discuss the concerns of the community.
Krishnamoorthi has also been meeting with members of the Muslim-American community and recently visited Islamic Foundation in Villa Park and Muslim Society Inc. in Glendale Heights.
“I’m glad I’ve been able to meet with so many members of our community to discuss the challenges we face,” Krishnamoorthi said. “In Congress, I work every day to support our communities on such issues as immigration and religious freedom while fighting to combat the surge in hate crimes and broader hostility which has struck members of our community across the country, and sewn fear in many others.”
Following the February shooting of two Indian men in Kansas, Krishnamoorthi formally called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to use the full powers of his office to combat the national surge in hate crimes that had begun in the preceding months. Rep. Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House Oversight Committee, subsequently called for the committee to hold hearings on the issue through both a formal letter and a speech on the House floor. More recently, the Congressman has authored and is circulating a congressional letter calling upon Secretary Kelly of the Department of Homeland Security to use the resources of his department to address the increase in hate crimes against religious minorities in the country.
“In each of these meetings, I was inspired by the love of country demonstrated by the leaders I spoke to, but also by their deeply-rooted commitments to their religions,” Krishnamoorthi said. “Part of the greatness of our country is that it does not force us to abandon our faiths, it welcomes them into the American mosaic with us. We will continue to take heart in the knowledge that this country belongs to all of us and we will work together against those forces that would challenge that national promise.”
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi represents the 8th District of Illinois, which includes Chicago’s west and northwest suburbs. He serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and on the Committee on Education and the Workforce. In addition, Raja serves as the ranking member, and top Democrat, on the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules. Krishnamoorthi served as an Illinois Special Assistant Attorney General in the public corruption unit and as Illinois Deputy Treasurer before becoming president of small businesses in the Chicago area focused on the national security and renewable energy sectors. He and his wife, Priya, a physician, live in Schaumburg with their two sons and baby daughter.
