Influential lawmaker Tulsi Gabbard, the only Hindu member of the US Congress, has completed her active duty call-up with the Hawaii Army National Guard in response to the lava flow on the Big Island.
"Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has completed her State Active Duty orders with the Hawaii Army National Guard, in response to the Kilauea lava flow. The National Guard is supporting the County of Hawaii's emergency response to the ongoing lava flow that is impacting residents of Pahoa," her spokesperson Heather Fluit said yesterday.
Lava from Kilauea destroyed more than 180 homes between 1983 and 1990, but until this week none had been lost since 2012. Kilauea has been an active volcano since 1983.
Gabbard, who was re-elected in the recently concluded mid-term elections last week, will return to the US Capitol today.
In a statement, she thanked her constituents for her re-election.
"With your help and support, the people of Hawaii have re-elected me to serve as their representative in Congress.
"I'm honoured to have earned their trust and confidence, once again. The last two years have been busy, and very rewarding, as I saw what can be accomplished when we bring people together, around our common purpose - doing our very best to be of service to others," Gabbard said.
Gabbard was first elected to the US House of Representatives in 2012.
A strong advocate of Indo-US relationship, she has been endorsed by Hindu American Political Action Committee.
