January Newsletter

My Friends, I just returned from a week in Germany carrying out my role as a colonel in the Air Guard on assignment as the Assistant to the Air Force Surgeon General for European Headquarters. While I was there I oversaw and reviewed the treatment of soldiers who were injured in the line of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of those that come to us are young men and women in their late teens and early twenties of different races, ethnicities, backgrounds and histories from across our country. Some come from families with a long history of military service and others were the first in their families to join our military. Yet, everyone one of them has an unwavering love for our country and a commitment to serve our flag and stand up for the freedoms in which they so dearly believe. I am always in awe of these men and women. The greatest honor of my life has been to serve alongside these brave warriors, and I thank God for every moment I have been given to serve. Many of these...

USINPAC supports candidate to unseat Dan Burton

NEW YORK: The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) hosted a fundraiser to support Dr. John McGoff, a strong candidate to unseat noted India critic Rep. Dan Burton in next year's Republican Primary election. Dr. McGoff came within 7% of defeating Rep. Burton in last year's Primary election. Dr. McGoff is an emergency physician and a Colonel in the Air National Guard. Rep. Burton's numerous assails on India include accusing India of "being one of the world's worst human rights abusers" and for having "a record of committing acts of terrorism." Rep. Burton has made unsubstantiated accusations about India on the floor of Congress over 16 times in the past two decades. Vinnie Rao, an Indian American leader from Indianapolis who co-hosted the event, said, "We are excited to work with USINPAC to support Dr. McGoff in this crucial race that is significant to the interests of Indian Americans and India. The community in Indiana has supported Dr. McGoff for many years and we...

Support Builds for Opponent of India Critic Dan Burton

For more than 25 years, Congressman Dan Burton, R-Ind., has been a thorn in the side of India and an anathema to its supporters in the United States. In his 14 terms representing the Fifth Congressional District in Indiana, the conservative Republican has pilloried India on alleged human rights abuses, accused the Indian government of terrorist acts and attached riders to bills in Congress to deny development funds to that country. Indian Americans have tried to unseat Burton in the past, but he has remained solidly entrenched. But in 2008 a GOP primary opponent, Dr. John McGoff, an emergency physician and colonel in the Air National Guard, found a chink in Burton’s armor. He pulled in 45 percent of the vote total in the GOP primary to Burton’s 52 percent, despite being outspent five to one. McGoff is running again and this time he has support not only from local Indian Americans, but from the influential Washington, D.C.-based US India Political Action...

ANCA Endorses Dr. John McGoff for Congress

WASHINGTON–The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) on Friday announced its endorsement of Dr. John McGoff in the Republican primary race against Rep. Dan Burton in Indiana’s 5th district. “We are encouraged by Dr. McGoff ’s strong stance on issues that pertain to Armenian –Americans” said ANCA National Board Member Steve Mesrobian. “Dr. McGoff offers us a real opportunity to not only remove Rep. Burton, who so vigorously supports Turkish government interests, but also to elect someone in his place who has the moral judgment to speak truthfully on human rights issues.” In his recent response to the ANCA questionnaire, McGoff wrote, “in the early part of the 20th century, the Armenian people suffered the unspeakable horror of being targeted and systematically removed or killed by an oppressive government that showed no regard for humanity. These are the facts and the truth cannot be denied nor can it be spun for political purpose.” In regards to a...