Bobby Jindal (R-LA)

As the only Indian American in the U.S. Congress, Congressman Bobby Jindal (R - Louisiana) is the focus of attention for the community in this country. So the Congressman has decided to send a weekly or bimonthly account to all those interested in knowing what the Freshman is up to.

Last week, Rep. Jindal was among a few legislators singled out for a meeting with President George W. Bush.

“There were only 11 of us in total and we ended up having a wonderful two-way conversation with the President, the Vice President and the President’s Chief of Staff in the Cabinet Room,” Jindal said.

“I had the opportunity to fill him in on the priorities and needs as I saw them for Louisiana, and I know he was listening,” he adds.

Despite having served as President Bush’s Assistant Secretary of Health and health policy adviser, Jindal feels he comes to these meetings now from a different standpoint and therefore has a different experience.

“…it was a different perspective sitting on the other side of the table!” Jindal admits.

Jindal, who was recently named assistant whip in the House, won by a comfortable margin in the November 2004 elections, garnering over 70 percent of the votes.

A year earlier, in 2003, he had lost the gubernatorial race in Louisiana by a narrow margin of 52-48 percent to his Democratic rival Kathleen Blanco.