Bera hires key staff, prepares for stint in US Congress

Washington: Ami Bera, the only Indian- American who would be serving in the 113th US Congress, today hired two key aides, including one from the community, to help him perform his duties as a US lawmaker. Bera, a physician from California, is the only Indian-American who would be serving in the 113th Congress beginning January next year. Only two other Indian-Americans have made it to the House of Representatives so far. Mini Timmaraju, also an Indian-American, who most recently served as Director of the Office of the President at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and a former District Director for a Member of Congress, will be his Chief of Staff, 47-year-old Bera announced. Faith Whitmore, who has served Sacramento County as a Pastor and community leader for the past 28 years, will be his District Director, the Congressman-elect said. In her role at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Timmaraju managed the office of PPFA President Cecile Richards and partnered with executive management to impact the strategic direction of the organisation. She previously served as District Director for the Office of Congressman Nick Lampson, and as a consultant to numerous state and local elected officials, candidates, and non-profit organisations. She received her Bachelor`s degree at the University of California-Berkeley and completed her Juris Doctor at the University of Houston Law Center. Bera also announced that Faith Whitmore will be his District Director. "Faith has invaluable ties to the Sacramento community and years of experience advocating for the area`s most vulnerable residents," Bera said. "She will help ensure that my work in DC reflects the needs of our district, and that our office provides outstanding service to constituents," he said. Whitmore currently works as the Executive Director of the Francis House Center, one of Sacramento`s most recognised and effective non-profit organisations that provides relief and resources to the region`s homeless community. Prior to that, she spent 27 years as an ordained United Methodist pastor in the Sacramento region. She received her Masters of Divinity degree from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, and her B A from UC Santa Cruz. PTI