[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 176 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF GARY S. CHAHIL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 31, 2017

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the dedicated 
service and achievements of Mr. Gary Singh Chahil; outgoing District 
Director for my Fresno and Merced District offices. In the nearly two 
years since Gary has assumed this role, he has served as an advocate 
for the people of the 16th Congressional District. My staff and I will 
greatly miss his presence, generosity and sense of humor.
  Gurjinder ``Gary'' Singh Chahil was born in the great state of 
Michigan, son of Jaswant Singh Chahil and Bhagwant Kaur Chahil. He is a 
proud Detroit native.
  Gary attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, completing his 
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, a Masters of Business 
Administration and a PhD in Business Administration. He is a fiercely 
proud Wolverine and frequently enjoys watching Michigan football on 
Saturday afternoons.
  Gary married the love of his life Kamaldeep ``Kim'' Kaur Deol, 
daughter of Sarbjit Singh Deol and Surinderpal Kaur Deol in 2004. They 
are blessed with two boys Kanvar ``Kamran'' and Bashan.
  Gary started his career with Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, 
Michigan. He spent five years at Ford before job opportunities brought 
him and his family west to California. He initially settled in San 
Jose, before moving to the San Joaquin Valley.
  I first met Gary in 2012 at an event I hosted for the Indian 
community. Throughout the next few years, I would frequently seek 
Gary's council on matters relating to the Indian, and specifically Sikh 
American, communities. An interest in politics and desire to serve the 
Valley led Gary to accept the District Director position in my office 
in February 2016.
  Throughout his tenure as District Director, Gary has cultivated 
relationships in Fresno, Madera and Merced counties and worked hard to 
serve the people of the district. Gary has worked on a number of high 
profile policy issues, including immigration, international relations, 
water and agriculture. One project he is particularly proud of is the 
creation of the exchange partnership between California State 
University, Fresno and the Punjab Agriculture University in India.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to note that Gary is the first Sikh 
District Director in the United States Congress, an achievement that 
speaks to the great diversity we have in the San Joaquin Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate Mr. Gary 
Singh Chahil on his successful tenure as District Director for the 16th 
Congressional District. My staff and I are proud to have had the 
opportunity to work with him over the past two years. I urge my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing his achievements and ask that you 
join me in wishing Gary, his wife Kim and their two boys continued 
success and happiness.

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