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January 4th, 2013
09:31 AM ET

First Hindu Congresswoman discusses her faith and history of military service

The new members of the 113th Congress were sworn in yesterday and for the first time, the House Democratic caucus is dominated by women and racial minorities.

Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii is among one of the newly elected Representatives, and she made history by becoming the first Hindu-American to enter the House. Gabbard will also be one of two female combat vets elected to Congress.

The freshman Congresswoman stops by Starting Point this morning to the historical significance of her election and to explain her desire to bring her "aloha" spirit to Congress.

"What aloha really means is having respect for other people regardless of what our differences may be and really finding the common ground that we have," Gabbard explains.

Regarding her faith, Gabbard says, "We’ve been sent here to be servant leaders and that’s the inspiration I get from my Hindu practice and what will help keep me focused on the task at hand."

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soundoff (9 Responses)
  1. paul teague

    Tulsi Gabbard is one to watch. I have a feeling we are going to be hearing a lot more about her. Very very impressive.

    January 6, 2013 at 7:27 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  2. McBob79

    I have to be the first to say it... She is HOT!

    January 6, 2013 at 10:09 am | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Tom Banerjee

    Congratulation Congress woman. Wish you all the best. We are proud of you.

    January 5, 2013 at 9:35 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  4. Robert McCabe

    God Bless you congresswoman and good luck as I have many Hindu friends from India and Trinidad.It is to bad you chose to be a democrat.

    January 5, 2013 at 12:52 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  5. Hawke

    Terrific. Now I suppose Congress will go through a phase of adopting whatever the Hindu philosophy concerning women is and Americans will jump on the bandwagon too. Americans like good old fashioned Protestant white men to rule in Congress and the White House. Can't wait for Fox News to blurt out the first "terrible" thing they find out about the new Congresswoman who is Hindu.

    January 4, 2013 at 2:55 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Cranston Lamont

    And unlike a couple of Republican governers I could mention, she didn't have to abandon her religion to get elected.

    January 4, 2013 at 2:16 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Tarak Sharma

    Congratulations, Tulsi !!! You made us all very proud. Good Luck.

    January 4, 2013 at 2:05 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Ken Parikh

    Congratulations to Tulsa Gabbard,
    Being first Hindu and 2nd combat vets. Do most unselfish job for all and make proud all Americans May god give you all strength to all congress representatives..

    January 4, 2013 at 1:37 pm | Report abuse | Reply
  9. Neil

    Welcome Congresswoman Gabbard. Hope your Hindu faith guides you in proper direction

    January 4, 2013 at 12:24 pm | Report abuse | Reply

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