Press Release

Earlier this week, Indian grandfather Sureshbhai Patel went for a walk while visiting his family in Alabama and ended up having an encounter with police that left him partially paralyzed. Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. offered the following statement after the officer involved in the incident was arrested for assault and the FBI said they are investigating. Read more on the incident.

"This week's incident in Alabama that left an Indian grandfather visiting his American family partially paralyzed is horrible and tragic," said Bera. "My heart goes out to Mr. Patel and his family and I wish him a speedy recovery. I'm glad officials have acted quickly to respond and that the FBI has opened an investigation. Moving forward, we must come together as a nation to tackle the very real issues our minority communities face, and to rebuild trust and understanding among law enforcement agencies and the diverse communities that they serve."

Bera represents Sacramento County. Born and raised in California, Bera is a physician and the only Indian American currently serving in Congress. He's fighting to rebuild an economy that works for middle class families and to reduce our country's debt in a responsible way. A proponent for strengthening United States' strategic and trading relationship with India and Asia, Bera is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He is working to open Asian markets to California products to create new jobs. He and his wife Janine live in Elk Grove with their daughter Sydra. For more updates on Rep. Bera follow @RepBera on Twitter, like Congressman Bera on Facebook, or visit https://www.bera.house.gov.