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NFIA Applauds Bush for Nominating Jindal

The National Federation of Indian American Association (NFIA), the largest umbrella organization representing over 1.5 million Americans of Indian origin, applauded the nomination of Bobby Piyush Jindal as Assistant Secretary of Health and Human services, making him the highest Indo-American nominee in the current Administration. NFIA urged the U.S. Senate for his speedy confirmation.

Parthasarthy Pilllai, the president of NFIA said that President Bush could not have picked a better individual, full of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment than Bobby Jindal for this job. “Today, the entire Indian community takes pride in the nomination of this young and dynamic person,” echoed Niraj Baxi, the NFIA president elect. “Jindal has distinguished himself as a great administrator at such a young age.” Jindal is merely 29 year old.

Speaking of Jindal’s nomination, Dr. Rajendra Jain, the regional vice president of NFIA and a friend of the Jindal family, said that he was overjoyed by the news of his (Jindal’s) nomination. Jain has known the family and Bobby Jindal for several years. “I am proud of President George Bush that he thought fit to nominate the ‘whiz kid’ of Louisiana,” added Jain. At age 24, Jindal made remarkable contributions to fix the Medicaid system in Louisiana State, when he served as the Secretary of Health and Hospitals. During his tenure at DHH, he helped Louisiana's Medicaid program escape from bankruptcy by turning a $400 million deficit into a surplus. His talent was soon recognized at the federal level when he was asked to serve as the executive director of the bipartisan Commission on Medicare in Washington DC.

If confirmed by the Senate, and there is every reason to believe that he will be easily confirmed, Jindal would be the first person to be nominated by Bush to serve in the sub-cabinet position. Prior to Jindal’s nomination other Indian Americans have served at similar level in prior Administrations. Dr.Joy Cherian was appointed by President Reagan as Commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). President Clinton who appointed more than 15 Indo-Americans to his Administration nominated Isi Siddiqui as Under Secretary of Agriculture just before the end of his term.

Rajen Anand who served as head of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion in The Clinton Administration for 6 years lauded Bush for his nomination of Jindal. He said “Although this will be the first appointment in the Bush Administration, We certainly expect President Bush to appoint more people from our community which has so much talent to offer,” remarked Anand.

“This is indeed a proud moment for our community,” said Baxi, “when young people like Jindal from our next generation have grown to display remarkable talent worthy of being picked by the President to serve in his Administration.”

Pillai urged all Indian Americans to write a letter of support for Jindal’s nomination to their respective Senators for his speedy confirmation.

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