[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 88 (Thursday, May 25, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         COMMEMORATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______


                         HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 1995
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Asian Pacific-American 
Heritage Month, I think we should take a moment to consider the need 
for the United States to engage in a more extensive dialogue with 
India, which will be the world's most populous democratic nation by the 
year 2050.
  As a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and India Americans, 
I want to help promote greater understanding between the United States 
and India, particularly in economic, political and cultural areas.
  Our shared geopolitical interests dictate that we make a concerted 
effort to improve Indo-American relations. In the last several years, 
India has embarked on a sweeping reform program that opened the way for 
economic growth and increased foreign trade and 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 the victims of 
discrimination in business and education. Members of Congress cannot 
ignore these issues.
  The Glass Ceiling Commission reports that minorities plateau at lower 
levels in the workforce than women. Educational institutions and the 
Department of Labor need to aggressively enforce laws barring 
discriminatory practices in recruitment and advancement, and no one 
should be denied an education or job because of their race or ethnic 
origin.
  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 pay more attention to concerns of 
India and Indian-Americans. I can think of no more appropriate time to 
reflect on our shared interests than during the observance of Asian 
Pacific-American Month.