[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
IN COMMEMORATION OF ASIAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND THE VISIT OF THE 
       HONORABLE P.V. NARASIMHA RAO OF INDIA TO THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______


                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 1994

  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Asian-American Heritage 
Month and we welcome the Honorable Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao of 
India to our country, I think we should take a moment to consider the 
need for closer relations between the United States and India. Given 
the shared interests of India and the United States, I hope that the 
Prime Minister's visit signals a new direction in the relationship 
between our countries.
  By the year 2050 India will be the most populous democratic country 
in the world. The United States is one of India's largest trading 
partners. Recently, India was identified as one of the world's great 
emerging markets. Yet our relations have at times been strained over a 
variety of issues. Fortunately, both nations are working to build 
stronger ties.
  We must promote greater understanding between the United States and 
India, particularly in the economic, political and cultural areas. 
India has made tremendous strides in converting to a market economy. 
Far-reaching reform efforts have resulted in economic growth, increased 
foreign trade, and opportunities for American investment. However, we 
cannot ignore the difficulty involved in the ongoing economic 
transformation, and progress must continue if bilateral trade is to 
grow.
  About 1 million Indian-Americans live in the United States. Many 
Americans assume that Indian-Americans, because they are often well-
educated, do not face the same problems as other minorities. They are 
wrong. In many parts of this country Indian-Americans are victims of 
hate crimes and racial harassment. They are victims of discrimination 
in business and in education. Members of Congress cannot ignore these 
issues.
  As a member of the congressional caucus on India and Indian-
Americans, I want to work with my colleagues in Congress and members of 
the Indian-American community to address these problems. It is 
imperative that the Department of Labor enforce existing anti-
discrimination laws. No one should be denied access to professional or 
educational opportunities because of their ethnicity. The United States 
has always been considered a melting pot of peoples, religions and 
ethnic groups. We in Congress cannot allow people who come to this 
country to be victimized or subjected to bigotry.
  I urge my colleagues in Congress to recognize the importance of India 
and the Indian-American community. I can think of no better time to 
reflect on our mutual interests than during the Prime Minister's visit 
to Washington.

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