Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) welcomed Head Granthi Giani Jaswinder Singh of Pine Hill, New Jersey, as the first Sikh Guest Chaplain to lead the opening prayer on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

“Head Granthi Giani Singh made American history today as the first Sikh to serve as a Guest Chaplain on the House floor, and South Jersey is proud of him,” Rep. Norcross said. “Giani Singh’s spiritual leadership has fostered a vibrant Sikh community in South Jersey and throughout the Delaware Valley. It is an honor to be a part of history today with Giani Singh, and I want to thank him for leading the prayer today and for the work that he does in our community every day.”

Born in India, Giani Singh received a diploma in Sikh Studies from Sikh Missionary College in Punjab in 2003 before teaching Sikhism at the college in Anandpur Sahib until 2007. He moved to Canada in 2018 to serve as a Sikh Preacher before becoming the Head Granthi at the Sikh Gurdwara of Pine Hill in New Jersey’s First Congressional District in 2016.

According to the Office of the Chaplain, the tradition of opening legislative sessions with prayer dates to the First Continental in 1774. The House guest chaplain program allows members to sponsor constituents from their district to represent the community’s religious traditions. The program honors the Constitution’s commitment to the free expression of religion.

Click here to watch Giani Singh’s opening prayer on the House floor. Click here for Giani Singh’s opening prayer as prepared.

Click here to watch Rep. Norcross’ one minute speech honoring Giani Singh on the House floor. 

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