[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E80]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO AMBASSADOR S.S. RAY OF INDIA

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 24, 1996

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise to 
pay tribute to a superb diplomat who has done a great deal to improve 
relations between the world's two largest democracies, the United 
States and India. Ambassador Siddhartha Shankar Ray, India's envoy to 
the United States since 1992, will be leaving Washington on February 20 
and returning to domestic politics in his country. While many of our 
colleagues are sad to see Ambassador Ray finish his tour in Washington, 
we all gratefully acknowledge his many contributions to the improved 
climate in Indo-U.S. relations.
  Ambassador Ray's appointment to Washington with the status of a 
Federal Cabinet Minister is indicative of the great confidence his 
Government has in his abilities. That confidence was well-placed. 
During Ambassador Ray's years in Washington, he was tireless in his 
promotion of India, not only as the world's largest secular democratic 
nation, but as a major emerging market for United States consumer 
products and business investment.
  The last 4 years have been trying times in South Asia. Sharing a long 
border with China and facing an insurgency in Kashmir supported by 
outside forces, India has had its share of challenges. Throughout these 
years, my colleagues and I could always rely on Ambassador Ray to 
articulate India's concerns with eloquence and precision.
  But, Mr. Speaker, these past 4 years have also been extremely 
exiciting times. India, under the leadership of Prime Minister P.V. 
Narosimha Rao, has embarked upon a historic economic reform policy that 
has opened up unprecedented opportunities for United States companies, 
large and small, as well as for Indian entrepreneurs. At the same time, 
the end of the cold war has forced all nations to rethink their 
security arrangements. Both of these historic developments are leading 
the United States and India to seek greater cooperation and partnership 
on many fronts. Many Members of this body were greatly impressed by the 
Prime Minister's address to this Chamber in 1994 in which he addressed 
many of these same points. The appointment of a statesman with the 
stature and experience of S.S. Ray--with his years of service as an 
attorney, Member of Parliament, Cabinet Minister, and top posts at the 
state level-shows the degree of importance that the Government of India 
attaches to its relations with the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, we will also miss the Ambassador's extraordinary wife, 
Mrs. Maya Ray. Prior to their service in Washington, both Mr. and Mrs. 
Ray enjoyed distinguished legal careers as barristers, as well as 
Members of Parliament. Mrs. Ray's contributions to her husband's work 
in Washington will indeed be remembered with fondness and appreciation.
  In my capacity as cochairman of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus 
on India and Indian-Americans, I look forward to working with 
Ambassador Ray's successor during this period of strengthened 
partnership between our two great nations, building on Ambassador Ray's 
excellent work.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to express my good wishes and those 
of my colleagues to Siddhartha and Maya Ray as they enter the next 
phase of their careers back home in India. Their many friends in the 
Congress and throughout our Nation hope they will return to visit 
frequently.

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