Skip to main content


U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government
              Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you knowDot gov**Official websites use .gov**
                 A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
                  HTTPS**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                 A **lock** (A locked padlock) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 
  Menu Close
          HHS Search block
    Search
        








  
  
    

  
      

                                      About HHS
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Programs & Services
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Grants & Contracts
    
                        
                              
      
      
      Laws & Regulations Breadcrumb
    Home
                              About
                              News
                              Joint Statement by HHS Secretary Becerra and Ambassador Tai on the Tenth Anniversary of the Oak Creek Shooting
 Navigate to:
  News
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Blog
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      HHS Live
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Podcasts
    
                                    
                                            
            
      
      
      
      Media Guidelines for HHS EmployeesText resize icon

                    




**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 5, 2022**

        **Contact: 
                                    HHS Press Office**
          202-690-6343media@hhs.gov

          Joint Statement by HHS Secretary Becerra and Ambassador Tai on the Tenth Anniversary of the Oak Creek Shooting
    
    

      *The 2012 shooting was the deadliest attack on Sikh Americans in U.S. history.*

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai – Co-Chairs of both the White House Initiative and the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders – issued a joint statement on the tenth anniversary of the mass shooting at a Sikh Gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.

The shooting occurred on August 5, 2012, when a white supremacist gunman stormed the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, murdering worshippers and beloved community members in the deadliest act of anti-Sikh hate in U.S. history.

“Our hearts are heavy as we remember Suveg Singh Khattra, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Ranjit Singh, Sita Singh, Paramjit Kaur Saini, Prakash Singh, Baba Punjab Singh, and all those impacted by the tragedy. The attack in Oak Creek was not just an assault on the Sikh community, but America itself — and we join with millions of people who have been touched by the unwavering Sikh tenet of *Charhdi Kala*, or eternal optimism.

“While a decade has passed, Sikh Americans continue to face unconscionable harassment and violence, including in the houses of worship where so many seek peace and solace. It is our responsibility to do everything we can to protect our communities, and the Biden-Harris Administration continues to work closely with faith leaders across the country to combat bigotry and intolerance in all their forms.”

**The Biden-Harris Administration has tirelessly advanced policies protecting the fundamental right to practice faith without fear, including through:**

Executive actions to protect houses of worship, including increased funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program;
	The implementation of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act to strengthen federal, state, and local efforts to counter unlawful acts of hate;
	The reestablishment of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships;
	Technical assistance to more than 7,000 faith-based and community leaders;
	The release of the nation’s first-ever comprehensive strategy to address domestic terrorism; and
	Executive and legislative actions to reduce gun violence, including the signing of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun violence legislation to be enacted in 30 years.
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: August 5, 2022

  
  
  







  Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases

Sign Up







  Subscribe to RSS
    

      Receive latest updates







  Related News Releases
    

      New Data Show Highest Number of Health Center Patients in Nearly 60 Year History of the Program
  

Statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the Anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
  

Statement by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the Second Anniversary of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization







  Related Blog Posts
    

      Celebrating Pride Month with Action
  

OCR Celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
  

Celebrating the Importance of Second Chance Month

                    
  


Media Inquiries

For general media inquiries, please contact media@hhs.gov.







  Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) Content last reviewed August 5, 2022 Back to top
    Contact HHS
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Careers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      HHS FAQs
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Nondiscrimination NoticeHHS Archive
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Accessibility Statement
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Privacy Policy
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Viewers & PlayersBudget/Performance
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Inspector General
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Web Site Disclaimers
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      EEO/No Fear ActFOIA
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      The White House
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      USA.gov
    
                        
                                            
      
      
      Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
        Sign Up for Email Updates

Receive the latest updates from the Secretary, Blogs, and News Releases.

Sign Up
  HHS Headquarters
          200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
                  Washington, D.C. 20201
                  Toll Free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775​ Disclaimer Policy: Links with this icon () mean that you are leaving the HHS website. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot guarantee the accuracy of a non-federal website.
                  Linking to a non-federal website does not mean that HHS or its employees endorse the sponsors, information, or products presented on the website. HHS links outside of itself to provide you with further information.
                  You will be bound by the destination website's privacy policy and/or terms of service when you follow the link.
                  HHS is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on private websites. For more information on HHS's web notification policies, see Website Disclaimers.
 Continue
                  Go back