American Hindu Coalition Leads Pennsylvania Hindu Community in Endorsing Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for Re-Election

Bucks County, Pennsylvania–The American Hindu Coalition (AHC), under the leadership of its Founding Chairman Shekhar Tiwari, led a gathering of Hindu-American community members and elected officials in endorsing Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick for re-election.

Dr. Lakshmi Thalanki, National Advisor to AHC, represented the organization and formally delivered its endorsement at Samarpan Temple Community Hall.

The gathering was attended by Congressman Fitzpatrick, State Senator Frank Farry, State Representative Kathleen “KC” Tomlinson, Bensalem Judge Michael W. Gallagher, former Bucks County Sheriff Frederick A. Harran, and Hindu-American community leaders and residents from Bucks County and surrounding areas.

Congressman Fitzpatrick praised the contributions of Hindu-Americans to their communities and the nation, describing them as highly educated and model citizens. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the Hindu-American community and noted his regular visits to Samarpan Temple.

AHC Chairman Shekhar Tiwari emphasized the importance of greater Hindu-American civic awareness and participation, particularly following the thwarted alleged plot targeting the Sri Venkateswara Swami (Balaji) Temple in Aurora, Illinois. He said Hindu-Americans were increasingly recognizing their civic responsibilities and becoming more actively involved in American public life.

Dr. Thalanki highlighted the Hindu philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning the world is one family, emphasizing universal unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. She said Fitzpatrick’s engagement with the temple and his support for these principles were among the reasons the organization welcomed his candidacy.

She also noted the growing recognition of Hindu-American voters in the democratic process, particularly in closely contested congressional races, and called for sustained engagement between elected officials and the community beyond election periods.

During the gathering, Dr. Thalanki presented Fitzpatrick with a murti of Goddess Lakshmi as a gesture of goodwill and wished him success in his re-election campaign. The congressman accepted the gift and thanked her.

The event was organized through collaboration among AHC, Samarpan Temple leadership and the Indo-American Senior Citizens Association of Bucks and Surrounding Counties. Sunny Patel of the senior citizens association worked with Yagnesh Patel, president of AHC’s Pennsylvania Chapter, and community members Kiran Patel, Rajesh Patel, Praful Ajmera, Usha Patel, Hemal Shukla, Pankaj Patel, Ripal Patel, Paresh Birla and Mukesh Parmar, among others.

The American Hindu Coalition promotes Hindu-American civic engagement, advocacy, community participation and awareness of issues affecting Hindu-Americans, with a focus on strengthening the community’s voice in American civic and democratic life.