Congresswoman Fletcher And Sikh Community Of Houston Dedicate Post Office In Honor Of Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal
Washington D.C. – Earlier today, U.S. Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) officially dedicated the renaming of the post office located at 315 Addicks Howell Road to the “Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office.”
“From now on, the Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office will be a permanent reminder of his service, his sacrifice, and his example for us all,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “He was widely regarded as a role model for Americans of all faiths wishing to serve their communities and an example of how one person can change our community for the better.”
Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal was shot and killed on September 27, 2019, during a routine traffic stop in Harris County, Texas. A 10-year police veteran, Dhaliwal made history when the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) amended their uniform policy for Sikhs to serve with their beards and dastaars (Sikh turban) while on patrol. He became the first HCSO deputy to be allowed to wear a turban and articles of the Sikh faith, while on duty.
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“It has been an honor to lead this effort to honor the life and contributions of Deputy Dhaliwal by naming the Deputy Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal Post Office in his memory,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This post office will be a permanent reminder of his service, his sacrifice, and his example for us all. Deputy Dhaliwal’s remarkable life of service to others—working for equality, connection, understanding, and community—exemplifies the very best of Houston,” continued Congresswoman Fletcher. “He was widely regarded as a role model for Americans of all faiths wishing to serve their communities, demonstrating how one person can change our community for the better. I am grateful to our Sikh community partners, including the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) and SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh, who have been true partners in this effort to remember and honor him.”
Over the past two years, SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh has worked hand in hand with Congresswoman Fletcher and the local congressional delegation to ensure that the memory of Deputy Dhaliwal’s service and sacrifice is preserved. SALDEF thanks the bipartisan collection of Members of Congress and the Senate who promoted the legislation.
“Sandeep Singh Dhaliwal did not set out to be a trailblazer, he simply approached life with a caring heart, a generous spirit, and a warmth that brought people together,” said Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) Southwest Regional Director Bobby Singh. “Along with the many friends here today, our community has been forever changed by his service & sacrifice but this building will forever serve as a recognition of his life. He lived the true American life.”
Congresswoman Fletcher introduced H.R. 5317 in 2019 to rename the post office after Deputy Dhaliwal. The bill was unanimously passed by the House of Representatives in September 2020, and then passed with the unanimous support of the the U.S. Senate on December 2020. President Trump then signed the act into law.
Speakers at the event today included: Rep. Fletcher; Postmaster Chenise Ledoux; Bhai Kulbeer Singh from Sikh Center of Houston; Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez; Harris County Commissioners Adrian Garcia, Tom S. Ramsey and R. Jack Cagel; and SALDEF Regional Director Bobby Singh. We thank all of them and people across Houston for their support.