[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 17 (Wednesday, January 28, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE INSPIRATIONAL LIFE OF LAHORI RAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, our nation lost a shining light when Mr. 
Lahori Ram passed away earlier this month.
  Mr. Ram was born in 1944 in the village of Lalwan, Punjab, India and 
came to America in 1972 with $308 in his pocket. He toiled in the 
fields of the Central Valley, picking almonds and peaches for seventy-
five cents an hour while putting himself through school, eventually 
earning a Master's Degree in Economics and landing a job with the 
United States Postal Service at San Francisco International Airport.
  When Lahori Ram arrived in America, he didn't know a single person. 
When he left us--far too soon--his friends were legion. Known as Uncle 
Ji to his extended family of Indian immigrants and their children, 
Lahori built a real estate empire in the Bay Area by buying and 
renovating rental properties.
  A staunch supporter of his adopted country, Lahori and his beautiful 
wife, Pritam Kaur, raised three delightful children and saw to it that 
they received a stellar education and embraced their parents' dual 
affection for both America and the ``old country'' of India. His two 
sons, Jagdev (Jack) and Ajaipaul (Paul), are practicing attorneys and 
daughter Jagdish (Jackie) is on her way to an MBA. In addition, he 
always had time for his daughters-in-law, Ramitpal and Nelam and doted 
on his only grandchild, Jasmyne.
  Madam Speaker, Lahori Ram was a passionate and progressive leader of 
the Indo-American community. He founded North America's first Sri Guru 
Ravidass Temple in Pittsburg, California in 1984. He tirelessly spread 
his message of equality for all humankind and encouraged education, 
hard work and love of family, community and country.
  Lahori Ram was a mentor for Indians wanting to get involved in the 
American political process and was the first Indo-American to be 
appointed to a statewide commission in California. At the time of his 
passing, he served on California's Economic Development Commission. 
Previously he served on the state's Technology, Trade and Commerce 
Committee and the Transportation Commission.
  Lahori and Prito Ram bought their first home in San Bruno in 1979. 
While he built a fortune--eventually owning more than 100 apartment 
units in the Bay Area--the family remained in their adopted community. 
His unexpected and sudden passing leaves many mourning the loss, but 
soon the mention of his name will bring only smiles as his many friends 
and relatives remember this good man, known worldwide for his grace, 
hard work and kindness. I am proud to have represented Lahori Ram and 
prouder still to have been his friend.

                          ____________________