by Ronnie Nathanielsz
Congressman Manny Pacquiao ends his eight weeks of grueling training for his fourth battle with Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas by hosting a media reception for Democratic congresswoman-elect Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
The reception will be held at the Wild Card Gynm of trainer Freddie Roach at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, Los Angeles Time.
Boxing’s eight division world champion Pacquiao who represents the lone district of Sarangani in the Philippine House of Representatives had endorsed Ms. Gabbard’s candidacy which ended up mwith a ,landslide victory in the November elections and a chance to represent Hawaii’s 2nd District.
The 31 year old Gabbard is an Iraq war veteran who served two tours. Her earliest success in Hawaii politics came in 2002, when she was elected to the state House of Representatives. Just 21 years old at the time, she was the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii state legislature.
Gabbard will be the first Hindu congresswoman while another Democrat also from Hawii, Mazie Hirono will become the first Buddhist senator.
Tulsi Gillard’s campaign spokesman Jim McCoy was quoted as saying that “Tulsi never ran as a Hindu or thought of the campaign in that way. However, after her victory there was a huge outpourinbg of joy from Hindus throughout American and even in India.”
The spokesman said “although Tulsi has never seen it as a victory for Hindus. Its clear that Hindus in America now feel less marginalized than they had prior to her election.
Following his reception with Congresswoman-elect Gabbard, Team Pacquiao will make its traditional road trip to Las Vegas in a luxury bus custom-designed with Pacquiao's image on all four sides.
