Congressman From India

Dalip Singh Saund

Copyright, ©, 1960, D. S. SAUND
Originally published by E. P. Dutton and Company, Incorporated, New York.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 60-12293

CONTENTS I. Beginnings in India II. I Come to America III. Early Days in Imperial Valley IV. The Fight for Citizenship V. Candidate Saund VI. Freshman Congressman VII. Battles on Capitol Hill VIII. My Trip Abroad IX. The Job Ahead Epilogue

PREFACE

This book is the simple story of the struggles, sorrows and joys, defeats and recoveries, of a twenty-year-old native of India who came to the United States and, nearly twoscore years later, became a United States congressman. My guideposts were two of the most beloved men in history, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi. My constant inspiration was the memory of my wise though unlettered mother, who had loved me dearly and taught me the lessons in good living.

I received my inner joys and support from a devoted wife who knew how to chide and guide. Thirty years ago she had married me not for money, position, or prospect, for these I had none. Kipling said, "East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet." Clearly, he was wrong, for a Saund from the East met a Kosa from the West. God blessed them with three marvelous children.

In private life I have never known a verbal or physical quarrel or fight with anyone. My religion teaches me that love and service to fellow men are the road to earthly bliss and spiritual salvation.

Lincoln said once, "Be satisfied with skim milk if you cannot get cream." I have had to live on skim milk on occasion in life and found it both sweet and nourishing. Gandhi said, "I love my enemies." In my political battles I have found it impossible to malign or belittle my opponents. Yet I have won every contest against heavy odds.

Two of the greatest satisfactions in my professional life came first, when my children, together with my daughter-in-law and son-in-law, volunteered to ring doorbells for me in the campaign in 1956, and second, when in that same election the citizens of my own small home town of Westmorland, my neighbors of thirty years, voted over 80 per cent in my favor as an expression of their confidence.

I find comfort in the Declaration of Independence and hope for mankind in the great inalienable truths expressed in the Bill of Rights.

I. Beginnings in India