Assemblyman Chivukula with wife Dayci- Pic Gita Bajaj
NEW JERSEY: Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula recently raised more than $50,000 at his 60th birthday fundraiser held Oct 8, in Middlesex County – the capitol of Indian-Americans in the United States. Middlesex has the highest percentage of Indian-Americans of any county in the nation.
More than 500 Indian-Americans packed the banquet hall of the Royal Albert Palace in Edison to felicitate the only South Asian lawmaker in the NJ Legislature.
Assembly Deputy Speaker Chivukula also serves as chair of the Assembly Telecom and Utilities panel. He is on the executive committee of the National Council of State Legislatures (NCSL).
“He has emerged as a leader at the state level on energy issues. He is doing a lot to help business and consumers with his progressive policies to fight climate change, encourage conversation and incentivize innovative technologies,” said Dr. Sunil Garg, long-time Chivukula supporter and head of the Union County Utility Authority.
“Assemblyman Chivukula continues to empower the South Asian community by putting our concerns on the legislative radar and by facilitating greater access to the state’s top leadership,” said Democratic Party man, Bharat Patel.
Congressman Rush Holt, NJ State Democratic Committee Chairman John S. Wisniewski and Assembly Deputy Speaker John F. McKeon were among the public officials who stopped by at the event.
Chivukula ran for and was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 2001 and is currently serving his fifth consecutive term as a member of the Legislature from District 17.
“I am deeply humbled by the overwhelming support of the Indian-American community demonstrated by the large turnout at my 60th birthday fundraiser,” Chivukula (D-Somerset) said. “It manifests a coming of political age of Indian-Americans who are realizing the importance of getting involved in all aspects of mainstream life. Empowerment through engagement is the key for all Americans but especially for newer immigrants like Indian-Americans. The large turnout shows that this message is driving home.”
Legislatively, Chivukula’s most significant contributions are in the field of energy and fighting climate change. These include sponsoring the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), an innovative multi-state cap-and-trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also has sponsored several measures to incentivize the development of renewable sources such as solar and wind by business and industry and which provide tax breaks to consumers to switch to alternative energy.
And as he completes 60 years, what are his thoughts? “I came to America with hope in my heart. I came to pursue a higher education and empowered by the dream of fulfilling a higher purpose – public service. Here, I met my wonderful wife Dayci and we had two incredible children. I am grateful for my loving family and their support,” Chivukula said. “As I look back at 60 years, many dreams have become a reality. Some still remain.
I look to the future with renewed hope in my heart – to be able to use the privilege of leadership to continue to empower the people I serve.”
India Post News Service
