Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, representing Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, participated in the Bipartisan Interfaith Prayer Service on January 3, marking the opening of the 119th Congress. Sworn in for his fifth consecutive term, Krishnamoorthi was the only speaker to represent the Hindu faith at the service, which was held to bless the new Congress before it officially began its two-year term.
Reflecting on the progress made, Krishnamoorthi remarked on how, in the past, Hindu Americans were excluded from such prayer services in Washington, D.C. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share the blessings of the Hindu faith with both Republican and Democratic colleagues, as the service focused on praying for peace and prosperity to guide the nation through its challenges.
During the service, Krishnamoorthi read a passage from the Bhagavad-Gita where Lord Krishna says, “In all actions, rely on Me and work under My protection. In this devotional service, be fully conscious of Me. By becoming aware of Me, you will overcome all the obstacles of life through My grace. However, if you act out of false ego, without listening to Me, you will be lost.”
Krishnamoorthi is one of the four Hindu members of the US Congress, alongside Ro Khanna, Shri Thanedar, and Suhash Subramaniam.
