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Dalip Singh Saund was a prominent figure in American history as the first Asian American to be elected to the United States Congress. Born in India in 1899, Saund immigrated to the United States in the 1920s to study agriculture. Despite facing discrimination and restrictive immigration laws, he became a successful farmer and active member of his community. In 1956, Saund ran for Congress and won, serving three terms from 1957 to 1963. His election was a significant milestone for Asian Americans and paved the way for greater representation in American politics. Saund’s legacy continues to inspire and empower marginalized communities.
Have you ever had to defend your beliefs? It can be incredibly challenging to stand up against others. Today’s Wonder is about a man who persevered to achieve his goals and uphold his convictions. Let’s discover together—who was Dalip Singh Saund?
Dalip Singh Saund was born in India in 1899. His parents, who had never received an education, desired for Saund to have one. Unfortunately, there were no public schools in his area during his early years. Saund’s father and uncles had to work diligently to gather enough funds to establish a one-room school for him. When he was just eight years old, Saund’s parents sent him to a boarding school.
He excelled academically and eventually graduated from the University of the Punjab with a degree in mathematics. Saund aimed to expand his knowledge and contribute to his family business. Consequently, his family agreed to send him to the United States for further studies. His intention was to learn about canning foods, enabling him to establish a fruit-canning business in India upon his return.
Upon arriving in the U.S., Saund headed to California and enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. However, he soon shifted his focus from food-related studies to mathematics. In 1924, he obtained his PhD in mathematics.
During that era, India was under British rule. Like many Indians, Saund desired independence from Britain. While studying in California, he joined the Hindustani Association of America and became its national president. As a member of this organization, he actively advocated for Indian independence. When Saund completed his PhD, his family cautioned that it might not be safe for him to return to India. They informed him that the British government disapproved of his pro-independence stance.
Saund decided to remain in California, but he encountered difficulties in finding employment. He faced discrimination and racism. Nevertheless, he persevered. He started working on a farm owned by friends and eventually saved enough money to purchase his own land. He married and had three children. As a farmer, Saund experienced both successes and setbacks. After two decades in farming, he established a fertilizer company.
Throughout this time, Saund remained engaged in politics. His interests extended beyond Indian independence—he actively participated in U.S. and California politics as well. He delivered numerous speeches on issues close to his heart. However, due to his Indian citizenship, he was unable to run for office. Therefore, he worked towards the passage of a bill that would grant Indian immigrants, like himself, the opportunity to become U.S. citizens. Finally, in 1946, the bill was passed. Saund became a U.S. citizen in 1949.
In 1950, he ran for his first elected position—and emerged victorious! Unfortunately, he was unable to assume office as he had not been a citizen for a full year. Nevertheless, two years later, he made another attempt. Many individuals expressed doubt, claiming they would never vote for an Indian man. Saund refused to give up. In 1952, he was elected as a judge and took office. He had triumphed once again!
Saund had a desire to have a greater influence in the government. In 1956, he decided to run for Congress and his family played a role in helping him gain support from voters. Despite encountering racism, Saund remained focused on the issues that mattered to voters and ultimately emerged as the winner. This victory in 1957 made him the first Asian American U.S. Representative to Congress.
Following his initial success, Saund went on to win more elections to Congress in 1958 and 1960. During his time in office, he dedicated himself to serving his constituents, many of whom were farmers or farm workers. Additionally, he showed support for the 1957 Civil Rights bill, which aimed to safeguard voting rights for Black Americans. Saund also took on the significant responsibility of serving on the Foreign Affairs Committee, an important role given the context of the Cold War.
Unfortunately, just before Saund was set to run for re-election, he suffered a stroke. As a result, he was unable to run for office again and lost the 1962 election. Ten years later, Saund passed away after another stroke. In honor of his achievements, the House of Representatives delivered speeches commemorating his legacy. Saund’s accomplishments included breaking barriers as the first Asian American representative to the U.S. House and consistently advocating for the people he represented.
Reflecting on Saund’s experiences, it prompts the question of whether we have ever faced discrimination like Judge Saund did. If so, what would we do in response?
If you’re eager to learn more, there are a few ways you can dive deeper into the subject. Firstly, you can visit the House of Representatives’ website for kids to explore how it works and gain insights into the role of representatives, the legislative process, and the House’s history. Once you’ve gathered knowledge, you can share what you’ve learned with others by creating an informative poster using Canva or other materials you have at hand.
Moreover, Judge Saund’s achievement as the first Asian American representative to Congress invites us to consider other notable “firsts.” Additionally, you can use a mapping tool to explore how your state’s representation compares to others over time. This tool provides an opportunity to discover interesting facts about your state’s political history, which you can then share with friends and family.
Lastly, if there’s an issue you feel strongly about, you can make your voice heard by writing to your representative. By seeking assistance from an adult, you can identify who your representative is and learn how to contact them, either through the provided links or by visiting your local library. The question remains: what will you choose to write about?
For those interested in further reading, the following sources were referenced for this article:
– Britannica Dictionary (accessed on May 24, 2023)
– History House (accessed on May 8, 2023)
– PBS Roots in the Sand (accessed on May 8, 2023)
– History House – The Civil Rights Act of 1957 (accessed on May 8, 2023)
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