This Week In American History: In May of 1924 Dalip Singh Saund received his doctorate in mathematics. He would go on to become the first Asian American and the first Indian American to be elected to the United States Congress in 1957.
Dalip Saund’s Early Life
Dalip Singh Saund was born on September 20, 1899 in Chhajjalwaddi in the province of Punjab, India. After graduating with a BS in mathematics from the University of Punjab, Saund traveled to America to further his education.
Dalip Saund Comes To America
Saund landed in America on September 27, 1920 and settled in Berkley, CA. He earned an MA and PhD in mathematics from the University of California in 1924.
Dalip Saund’s Life Before Politics
Saund married Marian Kosa in 1928. Together, they had three children: a son, Dalip, Jr., who served in the Korean War as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army, and two daughters, Julie and Ellie, who both attended the University of California, Los Angeles.
For 20 years Saund worked in the farming industry. Finally, around 1953, he opened his own fertilizer business. During this time, Saund commuted nearly 1,000 miles a week between his home near Los Angeles, where his wife worked as a teacher and they raised their children, and his business, headquartered in Westmoreland, CA.
While Saund had long been interested in politics, he could only be so involved in political activities because in the 1920s and 30s federal law prevented him from becoming a U.S. citizen. In the 1940s, Saund helped organize efforts to open citizenship to people of Indian descent living in the United States. Eventually, Congress passed a bill allowing Indian immigrants to pursue naturalization. On December 16, 1949 Saund finally became a U.S. citizen.
Dalip Saund Becomes A Judge
In 1952, Saund ran for a judgeship in Westmoreland. Despite facing discrimination, Saund won the election by 13 votes.
During his four-year judgeship, Saund worked to institute sentencing that helped clean up blighted areas of his city. He earned a reputation as an excellent legal mind. His judgeship became a huge part of his identity and served as a springboard to national office for him. When he ran for the House, he ran as “Judge Saund”.
Dalip Saund Enters Politics
When the incumbent Congressmen, Republican John Phillips, announced his retirement from the House, Saund decided to run for Phillips’ seat in Congress in early 1956. He hoped to represent California’s 29th Congressional District.
After winning the Democratic primary, Saund ran in the general election against GOP candidate Jacqueline Odlum. Eventually, he won the election with 52% of the votes. He won re-election in 1958 when he took 62% of the votes over his opponent John Babbage. He wont re-election a third time in 1960 over a third opponent, Republican Charles Jameson.
As a Congressman, the needs of his constituents remained at the forefront of Saund’s legislative agenda. He also supported the 1957 Civil Rights bill. Throughout his time in Congress, Saund maintained his support for Congress’ civil rights legislation.
Unfortunately, Saund’s Congressional career came to an untimely end when he suffered a stroke on May 1, 1962. Although Saund won the party primary a month later he was unable to campaign for himself and lost the election to Republican Patrick Martin.
Dalip Saund Remembered
Even though Saund’s political career was cut short, he is remembered as a true pioneer and one of the first of his kind.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Info Source: History.House.gov
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons
