Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard
Official 113th Congressional photo of Tulsi Gabbard
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Hawaii's 2nd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded by Mazie Hirono
Member of the Honolulu City Council
from the 6th district
In office
January 2, 2011  August 16, 2012
Preceded by Rod Tam
Succeeded by Carol Fukunaga
Member of the Hawaii House of Representatives
from the 42nd district
In office
2002–2004
Preceded by Mark Moses
Succeeded by Rida Cabanilla
Personal details
Born (1981-04-12) April 12, 1981
Leloaloa, American Samoa, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Eduardo Tamayo (2002–2006)
Abraham Williams (2015–present)
Alma mater Hawaii Pacific University
Officer Candidate School, Army
Religion Hinduism[1]
Website House website
Military service
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 2004–present
Rank Major
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Meritorious Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal with Oak leaf cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal
Combat Medical Badge
German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency in Gold

Tulsi Gabbard (born April 12, 1981) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has been the United States Representative for Hawaii's 2nd congressional district since 2013. She was also a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee until 28 February 2016, when she resigned in order to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.[2] Elected in 2012, she is the first American Samoan[3] and the first Hindu member of the United States Congress,[4] and, along with Tammy Duckworth, one of its first female combat veterans.[5]

Gabbard previously served in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 2002 to 2004, becoming the youngest woman in the United States to be elected to a state legislature at the time.[6] She returned from a deployment to Iraq in 2006 and worked for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, then volunteering for another deployment to the Middle East in 2009. After returning to Hawaii, she was elected to the Honolulu City Council, where she served from 2011 to 2012. In 2012, she ran for the open second congressional district and won the primary with 55%, scoring an upset win over former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. She won the general election with 81% of the vote and in the House of Representatives, she serves on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees. She is also currently a military police officer with the Hawaii Army National Guard.

During the early part of her political career, Gabbard used her married name Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo.

Early life and education

Tulsi Gabbard was born on April 12, 1981 in Leloaloa, American Samoa, the fourth of five children. Her father, Mike Gabbard, was born in Fagatogo, American Samoa, and became a naturalized citizen at age one, while her mother, Carol (Porter) Gabbard, was born in Decatur, Indiana. In 1983, when Gabbard was two years old, her family moved to Hawaii.[7]

Gabbard grew up in a multicultural, multi-religious household: her father is of Samoan and European ancestry and an active lector at his Catholic church, but also enjoys practicing mantra meditation, including kirtan. Her mother is of European descent and a practicing Hindu. Tulsi fully embraced Hinduism as a teenager. Her siblings' names are Bhakti, Jai, Narayan and Vrindavan.[8][9]

Gabbard was homeschooled through high school, except for two years she attended a girls-only missionary academy in the Philippines.[10] Gabbard graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in international business in 2009.[11][12][13]

Hawaii House of Representatives (2002–2004)

Elections

In 2002, after a redistricting, Gabbard (as Gabbard Tamayo) ran for Hawaii's 42nd House District of the Hawaii House of Representatives. In a four-candidate Democratic primary, she won with a plurality of 48%. She defeated Rida Cabanilla (30%), Dolfo Ramos (18%), and Gerald Vidal (4%).[14] Gabbard Tamayo won the general election, defeating Republican Alfonso Jimenez 65%–35%.[15]

In 2004, Gabbard Tamayo filed for re-election, but then volunteered for Army National Guard service in Iraq. Cabanilla, who filed for a rematch, called on the incumbent to resign, because she would not be able to represent her district from Iraq.[16] Gabbard Tamayo thus decided not to campaign for a second term.[17] Cabanilla defeated Gabbard Tamayo in the Democratic primary 64%–25%.[18]

Tenure

In 2002, at the age of 21, Gabbard Tamayo became the youngest legislator ever elected in the history of Hawaii and the youngest woman elected to state office in the nation.[6][19] She represented the Oahu 42nd District, which covers Waipahu, Honouliuli, and Ewa Beach.

She played a key role, along with her Ewa colleagues, in securing funding for infrastructure on the Ewa Plains.[13]

During her tenure Gabbard strongly supported legislation to promote clean energy. She supported legislation to expand tax credits for solar and wind, improve the net energy metering program, establish renewable energy portfolio standards, reduce taxes on the sale of ethanol and biofuels, provide funding for a seawater air conditioning project and make it easier for condo/townhouse owners to get solar.[20]

Regarding the environment, Gabbard supported legislation to better protect air quality, the water supply, endangered species and avian/marine life, fight invasive species, reduce greenhouse gases, promote recycling of food waste & packaging, improve the Deposit Beverage Container Program (bottle law), and reduce illegal dumping.[20]

As a state representative, Gabbard opposed LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage and civil unions. When voting against legalizing civil unions, she stated: "To try to act as if there is a difference between 'civil unions' and same-sex marriage is dishonest, cowardly and extremely disrespectful to the people of Hawaii who have already made overwhelmingly clear our position on this issue. … As Democrats we should be representing the views of the people, not a small number of homosexual extremists." In August 2004, she defended her then-Republican father's anti-LGBT work, and called supporters of U.S. Congressman Ed Case "homosexual extremists". Gabbard experienced a "gradual metamorphosis" during and after her overseas deployments, stating that "some of these experiences living and working in oppressive countries, not only witnessing firsthand but actually experiencing myself what happens when a government basically attempts to act as a moral arbiter … it really caused me to take a look at myself and the way we’re doing things here at home, locally, and nationally". She subsequently opposed the Defense of Marriage Act, arguing that "marriage is a bond of love, and it's spiritual and metaphysical in nature. It's a sacred bond, and that is not an area where government should be involved."[21][22]

Committee assignments

Military service (2004–present)

Rep. Gabbard at the ceremony of her promotion to Major 12 October 2015

In April 2003, while serving in office, Gabbard Tamayo enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard.[23] She received several distinguished honor graduate titles and awards at Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training.

In July 2004, Gabbard Tamayo asked to deploy with her Hawaii Army National Guard unit, volunteering for a 12-month tour in Iraq, where she served in a field medical unit as a specialist with a 29th Support Battalion medical company.[24] She learned that she would not be able to serve with her unit and perform her duties as a legislator, and thus chose not to campaign for a second term in office.[17][25] Gabbard served at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Iraq.[26] While on a rest-and-relaxation tour in August 2005, she presented Hawaii's condolences to the government of London regarding the 7/7 terrorist attacks.[24] She was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal at the end of this tour.

Upon her return from Iraq in 2006, Gabbard Tamayo began serving as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka in Washington, DC.[27] She was responsible for issues involving veteran affairs, energy and natural resources, judiciary, and homeland security. She served as a surrogate speaker for Senator Akaka on many occasions, and built a grassroots network with the veteran community in Hawaii.

While working for the Senator, Gabbard Tamayo graduated from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy in March 2007.[28] She was the first woman to finish as the distinguished honor graduate in the Academy's 50-year history.[6][27] She was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned again to the 29th Brigade Special Troops Battalion of the Hawaii Army National Guard, this time to serve as the Military Police Platoon Leader.[29]

She continued to work for Senator Akaka until 2009, when she again voluntarily deployed with her unit to the Middle East. During this second deployment, in addition to leading her platoon on a wide variety of security missions, she also conducted non-military host-nation visits and served as a primary trainer for the Kuwait National Guard. She was one of the first women to set foot inside a Kuwait military facility, and became the first woman to ever to be awarded and honored by the Kuwait National Guard[30] for her work in their training and readiness program.

In May 2010, Gabbard Tamayo (as Tulsi Tamayo) was one of thirty finalists for a White House Fellowship[31] and one of three finalists from Hawaii,[32] although she was not selected as a fellow.[33]

In June 2011, Gabbard visited Indonesia[34] as part of a peacekeeping training with the Indonesian Army.[35]

On October 12, 2015 Captain Gabbard was promoted to Major at a ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Former Senator Daniel Akaka administered the oath of office to the new Major.[36][37]

According to her official U.S. House of Representatives Full Biography, Representative Gabbard continues to serve as a major in the Hawaii Army National Guard.[38]

Honolulu City Council (2011–2012)

Elections

After returning home from her second deployment to the Middle East in 2009, Gabbard Tamayo ran for a seat on the Honolulu City Council.[39] Incumbent City Councilman Rod Tam, of the 6th district, decided to retire in order to run for Mayor of Honolulu. In a ten candidate nonpartisan open primary field in September 2010, Gabbard Tamayo ranked first with 33% of the vote.[40] In the November 2 runoff election, she defeated Sesnita Moepono 58%–42% to win the seat.[41]

Tenure

In her capacity as committee chair, Gabbard Tamayo took the lead on many issues such as medical waste, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), dengue fever, and creating new economic opportunities through Honolulu's first Sister City Summit. As a Council member, Gabbard Tamayo introduced a measure to help food truck vendors by loosening parking restrictions.[42]

She also introduced Bill 54,[43] a measure that authorized City workers to confiscate personal belongings stored on public property.[44] The measure overcame opposition from the ACLU[45] and Occupy Hawai'i,[46] and a potential conflict with Hawaii's constitutional law, Kānāwai Māmalahoe, which protects "those who sleep by the roadside". Bill 54 passed[46] and became City Ordinance 1129.

On April 30, 2011, the council member informed her constituents that she was resuming the use of her birth name, "Tulsi Gabbard", and that there would be no cost to city taxpayers for reprinting City Council materials containing her name.[47]

Gabbard resigned her council seat on August 16, 2012, to focus on her congressional seat bid.[48]

Committee assignments

United States House of Representatives (2013–present)

Elections

2012
Gabbard in January 2012.

In early 2011, Mazie Hirono, the incumbent Congresswoman in Hawaii's second congressional district, announced that she would run for a U.S. Senate seat. Soon after that, in May 2011, Gabbard announced her candidacy for the congressional seat.[49] Gabbard was endorsed by the Sierra Club,[50] Emily's List,[51] and VoteVets.org.[52] The biggest name by far in the crowded six-way primary was Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. However, Gabbard won the August 11 primary in a major upset, taking 55 percent of the vote. Hannemann finished second with only 34 percent. The Honolulu Star-Advertiser described her win as the "improbable rise from a distant underdog to victory".[53] She then announced on August 13 that she would resign her seat on the City Council, stating that she wanted to prevent the cost of a separate special election,[54] and resigned on August 16.[55]

As the Democratic nominee, Gabbard traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina and spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention.[56] There, she credited grassroots support as the reason for her come-from-behind win in the primary.[57]

Gabbard won the general election on November 6, 2012, by defeating Republican Kawika Crowley 81% to 19%.[58]

2014

Gabbard won re-election on Nov 4, 2014, by defeating Republican Kawika Crowley 78.7% to 18.6%.

In December 2012, Gabbard applied to be considered for appointment to the Senate seat vacated by the death of Daniel Inouye,[59] but despite support from prominent mainland Democrats,[60][61] she was not among the three candidates selected by the Hawaii Democratic party.[62]

Tenure

In her first term Gabbard introduced the Helping Heroes Fly Act which passed with a unanimous vote of support in both the House and Senate. This measure improves airport security screenings for severely wounded veterans, and was signed into law by the President.

She led passage of a measure to reinstate the Native Hawaiian Education Act to increase student achievement and opportunity among Native Hawaiian children.

She added a provision to the FARM bill which helps Hawaii’s coffee farmers, and works to protect them from the destructive coffee berry borer pest.

She led legislation to assist victims of military sexual trauma.[63][64]

2016 Democratic Presidential Nomination

Gabbard, a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, was critical of the decision by DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to hold only 6 Democratic debates during the 2016 Democratic Party primary season, compared with 26 in 2008 and 15 in 2004.[65][66] Some have argued that the number of debates was intentionally limited in order to bolster Secretary Hillary Clinton's position as the Democratic front runner, citing Wasserman Schultz's previous position as co-chair of Clinton's unsuccessful 2008 campaign as a conflict of interest and a newly created penalty barring further participation in sanctioned debates for any candidate who participates in an unsanctioned debate as an effort to limit public exposure to other candidates.[66][67] Gabbard appeared on multiple news outlets to express her dissatisfaction with the number of debates. Following her public criticisms, she again appeared on news outlets, claiming she was uninvited from attending the Democratic debate in Las Vegas as a result of her criticisms. In a telephone interview with the New York Times, Gabbard stated, "It's very dangerous when we have people in positions of leadership who use their power to try to quiet those who disagree with them. When I signed up to be vice chair of the DNC, no one told me I would be relinquishing my freedom of speech and checking it at the door."[68]

Gabbard resigned as DNC vice-chair on February 28, 2016 in order to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination.[69] She is the first female U.S. Representative to endorse Bernie Sanders for President.[70]

Committee assignments

In her first Congressional term Gabbard served on the Committee on Homeland Security in addition to serving on the Committee on Foreign Affairs[71]

Non-profit organizations and associations

Gabbard co-founded Healthy Hawaiʻi Coalition, an environmental educational group of which she is vice president and educational programs coordinator.[50][72] She is a lifetime member of the National Guard Association of the United States and the Military Police Regimental Association.

Gabbard was also a cofounder of the non-profit Stand Up For America,[73] which she and her father co-founded in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks.[74] SUFA's site profiled Gabbard[75] and hosted letters from Gabbard sent during her deployments overseas.[76][77] The Stand Up For America site came under criticism in September 2010 for promoting Gabbard's campaign for the Honolulu City Council. Gabbard said the improper addition "was an honest mistake from a volunteer", and the problematic page and link were immediately removed.[73]

Political positions

Gabbard (Hawaii, District 2) speaking at a luncheon in February 2013.

War and peace

In 2013, Gabbard opposed the Obama administration's proposed military strikes in Syria, arguing that intervention in Syria goes against America's national security, international credibility, economic interest, and moral center.[78]

Gabbard has led efforts to end U.S. activities intended to overthrow the Assad government in Syria by introducing legislation to block military actions in that country.[79] She argued it was counter-productive to overthrow Assad, asserting that the Syrian government is a powerful anti-ISIS force in the region and toppling it would only serve to bolster the presence of terrorist groups in Syria and neighboring countries: "We need to remember who the enemy is—al-Qaeda, al-Nusra, ISIS, and other Islamic extremists—all of whom are presently trying to overthrow the government of Assad, take over all of Syria, and establish an Islamic State."[80]

Gabbard also contended that because the White House had not asked for Congressional approval for military action, the taxpayer-funded activities used to oppose Assad's rule were not democratically endorsed by the American people.[81]

Trans-Pacific Partnership

Gabbard strongly opposes the Trans Pacific Partnership and has led protests against it.[82] Gabbard, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, has been highly critical of both the deal itself and the secrecy surrounding its exact text, arguing that the deal will largely benefit multinational corporations at the expense of hard-working Americans while actively contributing to existing threats to the environment, such as global warming and pollution. Concerning the deal, Gabbard said: "The TPP agreement will benefit Wall Street banks and multinational corporations on the backs of hard-working Americans, and it will increase existing threats to our environment...If it contains the same noxious provisions we suspected it would, I will do all I can to defeat the TPP when it comes before Congress for a final up-or-down vote."[83]

On 3 February 2016, representatives of TPP nations met in New Zealand to officially sign the trade deal. Gabbard joined Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro, New York Rep. Louise Slaughter and Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell; AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka; and representatives from MoveOn and the Sierra Club at a press conference to publicly criticize the pitfalls of the TPP and demand a deal that will not further burden hard-working American families. During the press conference, Gabbard made an impassioned plea against the agreement, arguing that it benefits large corporations at the expense of working Americans: "The American people have been left out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership from the very beginning and it shows in the resulting agreement. If this deal is enacted, the American people will be left behind as corporations benefit. From an ISDS (Investor-state dispute settlement) process that allows foreign corporations to overrule our domestic rule of law, to unenforceable labor, environmental, and human rights protections, to no protections against currency manipulation, this deal helps the corporate class while selling out working Americans and their families."[84]

Medicare and Social Security

Gabbard supports full funding for Medicare and Social Security and opposes any efforts to reduce benefits.[85]

Privacy and civil liberties

Gabbard opposes overreach of the NSA, and its data collection on innocent Americans. She has sponsored legislation such as the USA Freedom Act, to bring necessary reforms to protect privacy and civil liberties without sacrificing national security.[63]

Campaign finance reform

Gabbard co-sponsored Government By the People Act, a campaign finance reform legislation.[86]

Abortion and contraception

Gabbard is pro-choice.[87] On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, she stated her support for that decision and for affordable healthcare services "which can contribute to fewer unplanned and teen pregnancies".[88] She supports the Affordable Care Act's mandate that all health insurance provide contraception with no co-pay.[89] In a 2011 interview with the Honolulu Civil Beat, Gabbard said she disagreed with the Obama administration's decision to overrule the FDA in allowing girls under 17 to purchase Plan B without a prescription.[90]

LGBT issues

During her first Congressional term, she cosponsored HR 1755: Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013, prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, she co-sponsored two bills related to sexual orientation in the military. HR 2839: Restore Honor to Service Members Act gave military discharge review boards the discretion to retroactively grant honorable discharges to former members of the Armed Forces who were discharged because of their sexual orientation. HR 683 Military Spouses Equal Treatment Act provides the same benefits to same-sex military spouses as it does to different-sex spouses.

In her second term, she co-sponsored HR 3185 The Equality Act, which amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity among groups protected from discrimination in public places. She was also an original co-sponsor for HR 197 Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.

Regarding the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality, she said:

"I applaud the Supreme Court's ruling today. Some countries in the world are theocracies. Fortunately, the United States of America is not one of them. Therefore, as long as the government is involved in marriage, it must do so with fairness—treating all Americans equally. Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is an important victory to this end."[91]

Same-sex marriage

Gabbard is opposed to the Defense of Marriage Act and to a proposed state constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a woman and a man.[92] She had opposed same-sex marriage at one time[21] but after her tour of duty in the Middle East supported repeal of the DOMA and became a co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act after her election to Congress,[93] as she had promised to do during her campaign.[94] She also asked Hawaii state legislators "to pass legislation that will ensure fair and equal treatment for all of Hawaii's citizens".[93]

She publicly supports reproductive choice and LGBT populations, saying that the government should not be the "moral arbiter" in people's lives.[21] She credits her tours of duty in the Middle East with triggering her change in views.[95]

It brought me to a deeper understanding of the meaning of freedom in our country. … We cannot afford to walk down that dangerous path of government overstepping its boundaries into the most personal parts of our lives.[30]

Her father, Mike Gabbard, is a staunch anti-gay marriage Democrat (previously Republican) who is currently the State Senator for Hawaii's 19th District. The familial connection, and her previous stance,[21] initially caused voters to doubt the sincerity of her new support for LGBT causes.[95]

Defense

Gabbard believes women should be allowed to serve in all military roles, including combat,[89] and praised the US Department of Defense for lifting its ban on women serving in ground combat roles.[96]

Although she served in the war in Iraq, she said in late 2012, "I was against the war in Iraq. We never should have gone there in the first place."[97] She calls for an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan[98] "as quickly and safely as possible".[99] Rep. Gabbard believes that one problem with the United States' involvement in Iraq is that victory conditions have not been clearly defined.[100]

Gabbard received the endorsement of Equality Hawaii regarding her support for "equal rights for same-sex military spouses (following the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell)".[101]

Responding to the Obama Administration's policy on using drones in the United States, Gabbard stated, "these tactics should never be used against our own citizens here at home".[102] She said that she had

a first-hand perspective on the value of these counterterrorism tactics and strategies—during a time of war overseas in enemy territory. And that being the appropriate place for them, not here on American soil.[103]

However, her phrasing as a Representative, arguing, "drone strikes and other counter-terrorism tactics should not be targeting non-combatant U.S. citizens",[102] has narrower language than her earlier statements[97] in favor of protecting the rights of all American citizens to due process.[104]

Environment

On April 22, 2012, Gabbard received a Sierra Club endorsement in the Democratic primary election for Hawaii's District 2.[105]

Sierra Club endorsed her for her re-election in 2014 saying that she’s been a solid champion for Hawai’i families’ health, air, food and water as the Congressional District 2 Representative. Sierra Club also called her a standout Congressional member and a clear leader on environmental issues.[106]

In February 2016, Gabbard joined the Sierra Club, among others, in opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership due in part to the substantial impacts it will have on the environment.[84]

Gabbard favors tax incentives for renewable energy.[107]

Banking

In her campaign materials and editorials, Gabbard calls for a restoration of the Glass-Steagall Act,[108] a ban on naked credit defaults (possibly referring to naked credit default swaps), and forced breakup of the "big banks".[109] She also condemned banks that foreclosed on the homes of deployed troops.[110] She's a co-sponsor of HR381: Return to Prudent Banking Act of 2015, which would revive the separation between commercial banking and the securities business, in the manner provided in the Glass-Steagall Act.

Visa restrictions

To encourage tourism,[107] Gabbard aims to relax "outdated"[111] visa restrictions for tourists, especially those originating in India and China.[8] She also focuses on H-1B visas and legal immigration issues.[8]

Native Hawaiians as indigenous people

Gabbard supports the Akaka Bill, "believe[s] the U.S. government through an act of Congress should more formally recognize the special legal/political status of Native Hawaiians",[112] and supports Native Hawaiian health and education initiatives.[113]

Fiscal cliff and sequestration

In opposing sequestration cuts, Gabbard has said that the cuts are being used as a "political tool"[114] and that the "arbitrary, across-the-board cuts" would affect military readiness.[115]

Government-sponsored healthcare

Gabbard is in favor of allowing Medicare to negotiate with prescription drug firms, stating that, on average, that would save US taxpayers "around $14 billion a year".[103]

Personal life

Gabbard with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi; December 2014.

Gabbard's first name, "Tulsi" (Sanskrit: तुलसी, IAST: Tulsī) comes from the name of the holy basil, a plant sacred in Hinduism.[116] She is a vegetarian and a Hindu who follows Gaudiya Vaishnavism,[10] a religious movement founded by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. She especially appreciates the Bhagavad Gita as a spiritual guide,[1] and used the Gita when she was ceremonially sworn in as a Representative.[117] Gabbard describes herself as a "karma yogi"[118] and credits her parents with instilling the value of "karma yoga" and being of service in her and her siblings.[29] As a Vaishnava, Gabbard looks forward to visiting India, especially the holy sites of Vrindavan, after starting her congressional term.[119]

Gabbard has said that she is pleased that her election gives hope to young American Hindus who "can be open about their faith, and even run for office, without fear of being discriminated against or attacked because of their religion".[120] In 2002, Gabbard was a martial arts instructor.[121]

Gabbard was married to Eduardo Tamayo in 2002;[47][122] they divorced on June 5, 2006.[123] She cites "the stresses war places on military spouses and families" as a reason for their divorce.[21] Tamayo donated $500 to Gabbard's House campaign.[124]

Gabbard called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was on a visit to New York on September 28, 2014, and presented him with a ginger flower garland from Hawaii.[125] She also gave her own copy of the Hindu Holy Book "Bhagavad Gita" (same copy that she used to take the Oath of Office) to Narendra Modi.[126]

Tulsi Gabbard accepted the marriage proposal of Abraham Williams in February 2015 and they married on April 9, 2015, in a Vedic-style wedding.[127]

Awards and honors

On November 25, 2013, Rep. Gabbard was awarded the John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award at a ceremony at the Institute of Politics at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government for her efforts on behalf of veterans.[128]

On March 26, 2014, Elle honored Rep. Gabbard, with others, at the Italian Embassy in the United States during its annual "Women in Washington Power List".[129]

On February 10, 2015, Voices for National Service honored Rep. Gabbard with the Outstanding New Member Award for elevating national service as a first-term legislative priority.[130]

On February 25, 2015, the National Association of Counties (NACo) awarded Rep. Gabbard the 2015 NACo County Alumni Award for her "steadfast commitment to the nation's counties".[131]

On July 15, 2015, Rep. Gabbard was honored with the Friend of the National Parks Award from the National Parks Conservation Association.[132]

See also

References

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  5. Cindy Huang and Ellen Rolfes (November 12, 2012). "Meet the Incoming Congressional Class Veterans". PBS. Retrieved January 26, 2016.
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  24. 1 2 Gabbard Tamayo, Tulsi (August 8, 2005). "London visit makes loss clear". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  25. "Legislator headed for Iraq wants to keep her House seat". Honolulu Star Bulletin. August 17, 2004.
  26. Gabbard Tamayo, Tulsi (March 15, 2005). "Aloha invades Iraq compound". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
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  30. 1 2 Geiger, Kim (September 5, 2012). "Iraq veteran would be first Hindu in Congress". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 30, 2012. At 28, she was the first woman to be presented with an award by the Kuwait Army National Guard.
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  75. "Hawai'i Veteran Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo Returns Home to Serve". Stand Up For America. Archived from the original on 2010-09-08. Retrieved November 19, 2012. It was a long year for us, but we are so proud of Tulsi and our other soldiers for what they accomplished in the Middle East. They played a part in making history in Iraq. They represented our state very well. They completed the mission, and came home. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the 29th BCT soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and freedom, and in our hearts, we share their pain.
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  88. "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Statement on the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade" (Press release). Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. January 22, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013. Now more than ever, we must remain steadfast in our defense of a woman's right to choose.
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  110. Gabbard, Tulsi. "Banks Sink to New Low by Foreclosing on Deployed Troops". The Huffington Post. Retrieved November 11, 2012.
  111. "Tulsi on Jobs and Economy". Tulsi Gabbard. July 20, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012. Strengthen the tourism industry by relaxing outdated visa restrictions
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  114. "Guard Lawmakers Address Legislative Workshop: NGAUS Washington Report". National Guard Association of the United States. February 12, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013. Gabbard, a captain in the Hawaii National Guard, told about 100 legislative action officers from around the Guard and industry representatives that sequestration is still up in the air. She said it was being used by some as a 'political tool.'
  115. "VIDEO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Delivers House Floor Remarks on Sequestration Impact for Hawaii" (Press release). February 13, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2013.
  116. Yes, the same plant. Tulsi Gabbard on Twitter. 02-18-2012.
  117. Kaleem, Jaweed (January 4, 2013). "Tulsi Gabbard, First Hindu In Congress, Uses Bhagavad Gita At Swearing-In".
  118. Kumar, Rishi (October 10, 2012). "The Indian American Contenders". India Currents. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
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  125. "Tulsi Gabbard, US Congresswoman calls on Modi". Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  126. "Narendra Modi gets Gita as gift from US lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard". Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  127. "Quiet, low-key approach to love suits congresswoman just fine". Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
  128. Smith, Dave. "Gabbard Presented with Kennedy New Frontier Award". BigIslandNow.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  129. Watters, Susan (March 28, 2014). "Gucci and Elle Honor Women in Washington Power List". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
  130. "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Outstanding New Member Award 2015". YouTube.com. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  131. "Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Honored By The National Association Of Counties". Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  132. "Rep. Gabbard Honored for Support of National Parks". MauiNow.com. July 17, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.

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United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Mazie Hirono
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district

2013–present
Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Lois Frankel
United States Representatives by seniority
324th
Succeeded by
Dennis Heck
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