On January 3, 1957 Dalip Singh Saund is sworn in as the congressional representative of California’s 29th district. Known to many as “Judge,” and also nicknamed “the Peacemaker,” he is the first Asian, first Indian American, first Sikh and first follower of a non-Abrahamic religion to be elected to the United States Congress.

Born and raised in Punjab while India was under British rule, Saund attended the University of Punjab and was active in the independence movement led by Mohandas Gandhi. He enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley in 1920, earning a PhD in mathematics four years later. He married and moved to a ranch in Westmoreland, California, getting a friend to sign the deed for him in order to circumvent a state law that prohibited Asians from owning land. His time as a farmer, witnessing the struggles of his neighbors during the Great Depression, made him a fan of the New Deal and a lifelong Democrat. Saund organized in favor of allowing Indians to become naturalized American citizens, which Congress finally approved in 1946. Three years later, Saund became a citizen, and the following year he ran for a judgeship. Despite facing persistent racism—one reporter asked him if he would supply turbans to all those who entered his court—he won by 13 votes.

In 1956, Saund ran for his home district’s open congressional seat. Despite a legal challenge from his Democratic primary opponent, who unsuccessfully argued that Saund had not been a citizen long enough to serve in Congress, Saund won the nomination and defeated famous female aviator Jacqueline Cochran Odlum for the seat. He credited his victory to the connections he had made in the district, particularly to small farmers and small business owners. He served three terms in Congress, where he became known as a champion of small farmers and civil rights legislation and worked to improve the United States’ relations with Mexico as well as his native India.

3 January 1994

References

Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.|(2005). Milestones, The Star, 3 January.

Restoration of South African citizenship, announced on 15 December 1993 by the South African parliament led by President F.W. de Klerk, became effective four months before the first South Africa non-racial polls of 27 April, 1994. More than seven million people in the former homelands, forced to accept citizenship of their various homelands, regained their South African citizenship.  The Restoration and Extension of South African Citizenship Act No 196 of 1993 was part of a package agreed upon by the CODESA negotiating team.

Source: sahistory.org.za

 The new laws going into effect in Washington on Jan. 1, and how they may impact you.

Expanded protections under Paid Family and Medical Leave (HB 1213)

Starting in 2026, workers will receive job protection after 180 days on the job, instead of the current requirement of 12 months and 1,250 hours worked. The law also lowers the employer size threshold for those protections. In 2025, the current threshold for those protections. The measure also aims to prevent employees from taking separate blocks of protected leave under both the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the state program. The update creates a process that allows employers to count FMLA leave at the same time as state PFML for job-protection purposes. State officials are expected to release guidance on notice requirements by late 2025.

Updated unemployment benefits eligibility for workers affected by strikes and lockouts (SB 5041)

Beginning in 2026, Washington will limit unemployment benefits for workers who lose work because of a strike. Striking employees will be ineligible for benefits until either the second Sunday after the strike begins or the day the strike ends. After that, they may receive up to six weeks of benefits following the standard one-week waiting period, unless the strike is later ruled unlawful, in which case the benefits must be repaid. 

Workers must also repay any benefits that overlap with retroactive wages they receive. For employers, any benefits paid to striking workers will be charged only to that employer’s experience rating, but businesses may be able to lower their unemployment tax rate by making a voluntary contribution to the state trust fund if they qualify under SB 5041. 

New minimum wage in WA in 2026

The minimum wage for Washington will increase in 2026. 

Right now, for 2025, the minimum wage sits at $16.66, one of the highest in the nation. In 2026, that number will rise to $17.13, beginning on Jan. 1.

Employers must update payroll and notice postings per Washington Labor & Industries.

WA’s new luxury vehicle tax law (ESSB 5801)

The law creates two luxury taxes on high-value vehicles and noncommercial aircraft beginning Jan. 1, 2026, including an 8% tax on the portion of a vehicle’s sale, lease or transfer price above $100,000. Commercial vehicles and those weighing more than 10,000 pounds — except motor homes — are exempt.

WA’s new B&O surtax/surcharge on very large businesses

A 0.5% temporary surcharge will apply to taxpayers with taxable income over $250 million from Jan. 1, 2026, to December 30, 2029, per the Washington State Legislature page.

Washington will also increase the business and occupation (B&O) tax rate for manufacturing, retailing, and wholesaling to 0.5% starting Jan. 1, 2027, and adjust other rate categories. Beginning Oct. 1, 2025, the B&O tax rate for services rose for businesses with gross receipts over $1 million.

The surcharge on financial institutions went into effect at 1.5% starting Oct. 1, 2025, and the advanced computing surcharge will rise to 7.5% with a $75 million annual cap beginning Jan. 1. The legislation also clarifies the B&O tax deduction for investment income.

Retail and consumer protections 

New statutes going into effect next month will include the following: 

• Service Contracts
• Solicited Real Estate
• Sodium Nitrite
• Medical Cannabis Database
• Alcohol Service in Public
• Insurance/Affordable Units
• Liquor Food Service Options
• Wine & Spirit Sales Limits
• Liquor Permits & Licensing
• Manufactured Homes/Organizations Sale
• Disability Insurer Filings
• Cannabis Advertising
• Insurance Statutes
• Cannabis Industry Agreements
• Reports of Fire Losses
• Medical Debt
• Mobility Equipment Repair
• Bail Bond Agents/Immigration

Other Tobacco Product Tax expansion 

Senate Bill 5814 will expand the definition of tobacco products in order to categorize them under the Other Tobacco Tax. Beginning on Jan. 1, this tax will also apply to products containing nicotine, whether they are produced from tobacco or synthetically. 

The OTP tax is in addition to retail sales and use, B&O, and “litter taxes” that may apply, according to Alvarez & Marsal.

Expanded leave rights for employees affected by hate crimes (SB 5101)

Updated Safety Standards for Isolated employees (HB 1524)

On Jan. 1, 2026, Washington will strengthen safety rules for employees who work alone. The law applies to hotels, motels, retail stores, security firms and property service companies that have at least one isolated worker, such as a janitor, housekeeper or security guard. The update expands what counts as an “isolated” work situation and adds new requirements for panic buttons, incluing training and record keeping. Employers who break the rules can face fines of up to $1,000 for a willful violation and up to $10,000 for repeated violations.

Updated workplace violence laws in healthcare settings (HB 1162)

Under this new Washington state law, healthcare facilities will be legally required to promptly investigate all incidents of workplace violence, rather than reviewing them on a periodic basis. Facilities will be required to annually update their workplace violence prevention plan based on data and incident analysis, implement safety improvements and report to their safety or workplace-violence committees.

Plastic carryout bag fee changes

Starting Jan. 1, Washington will increase the minimum cost of plastic film carry out bags at restaurants and retailers from 8 cents to 12 cents per bag, as part of a 2020 law aimed at reducing single-use plastics. The law encourages shoppers to bring their own bags, while the minimum charge for paper carry out bags will remain at 8 cents. 

Implemented in 2021, Washington’s single-use plastic bag ban prohibits thin, .5 mil disposable plastic bags and sets standards for thicker, 2.25 mil reusable plastic film bags. Additionally, the law mandates that both plastic and paper carryout bags contain at least 40% recycled content.

Source(s) Good Day Seattle, Washington Labor & Industries, Full information is available through the 2025 Washington Legislative session review,

Check back for updates

The federal government cannot directly “end” sanctuary cities due to constitutional protections under the Tenth Amendment and the anti-commandeering doctrine, which prevent forcing local governments to enforce federal immigration laws.

However, it can exert significant pressure through lawsuits, grant prioritization, and public shaming, as seen in 2025 actions by the DOJ and DHS. Success depends on the outcome of ongoing legal battles, the willingness of jurisdictions to resist, and public opinion. Some cities, like Louisville, have complied under pressure, but others, like Chicago and Seattle, remain defiant.

The issue is unlikely to resolve fully, as it reflects deep ideological divides over immigration, federalism, and public safety.

Future Supreme Court rulings could shift the balance, but as of August 2025, sanctuary cities retain significant autonomy to maintain their policies, albeit under increasing federal scrutiny

Source: Grok

https://youtu.be/Jma2BlSBnP0

Albert Fall, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior, resigns in response to public outrage over the Teapot Dome scandal. Fall’s resignation illuminated a deeply corrupt relationship between western developers and the federal government.

Born in Kentucky in 1861, Albert Fall moved to New Mexico in 1887 because doctors told him the dry desert air would improve his health. Fall thrived in his new home, quickly building up a large ranching operation near Las Cruces and investing in silver mining and other ventures. By the turn of the century, Fall was a well-respected and powerful western businessman, and he used his considerable resources to win a seat in the U.S. Senate when New Mexico became a state in 1912.

Citation Information

Article Title

Secretary Fall resigns in Teapot Dome scandal

AuthorHistory.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/secretary-fall-resigns-in-teapot-dome-scandal

Access Date

January 1, 2023

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

December 21, 2021

Original Published Date

November 16, 2009