[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 10 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INDIA REPUBLIC DAY: A CELEBRATION OF 46 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 1996

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow, January 26, is a date of enormous 
significance for all the people of India, and for the many sons and 
daughters of India living in the United States and around the world. 
January 26 marks the celebration of Republic Day, a national holiday 
that holds the same significance for Indians as the Fourth of July does 
for Americans.
  On January 26, 1950, India became a Republic. The country adopted a 
Constitution which enshrined the principles of democracy and 
secularism. At that time, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the 
nation's first President. Since then, despite the challenges of 
sustaining economic development while reconciling her many ethnic, 
religious and linguistic communities, India has stuck to the path of 
free and fair elections, a multi-party political system and the orderly 
transfer of power from one government to its successor.
  Since many Americans may be unfamiliar with the anniversary that the 
people of India celebrate tomorrow, I would like to draw particular 
attention to the similarities and shared values of the United States 
and India. The framers of the Indian Constitution drew inspiration from 
our own Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Both of our countries are 
former British colonies that gained their freedom after a long and 
difficult struggle. English continues to be an important language of 
commerce in India, while the principles of common law continues to 
shape the nation's judicial system. Many Americans almost instinctively 
saw in Mahatma Gandhi a reflection of values that our country holds 
dear. During this month when we celebrate the birthday of one of 
America's greatest heros, Martin Luther King, Jr., we should remember 
that Dr. King derived many of his ideas of non-violent resistance to 
injustice from the teachings, actions and self-sacrifice of Gandhi.
  Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that United States-India relations 
are continuing their trend toward greater cooperation and partnership 
on many key issues. Last year was marked by an unprecedented flurry of 
visits--in both directions--from leading government and private sector 
officials from both countries. Three United States Cabinet Secretaries 
travelled to India during 1995, and major contracts valued in the 
billions of dollars were concluded. In my capacity as cochairman of the 
Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, I am proud that our 
bipartisan Congressional Member Organization has been able to host 
forums for Members of Congress to hear from these distinguished Indian 
leaders, including Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, opposition 
leaders and the heads of major firms and trade organizations. In 1996, 
I hope we in Congress will continue to make it a high priority to 
continue this momentum and move it forward. The steady improvement in 
United States-India relations will benefit the people of both of our 
countries.
  In addition, Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that Republic Day will 
be celebrated by the one million Asian Indians here in America, a 
community of hard-working, family-oriented people who have contributed 
greatly to their new country while maintaining pride and devotion to 
their motherland.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, Republic Day 1996 marks one of the final events 
to be presided over by Ambassador Siddhartha Shankar Ray. After more 
than 3 years of representing his country in Washington, Ambassador Ray 
is returning home and returning to the political fray in this year's 
parliamentary elections. I would like to take this opportunity to wish 
a fond farewell to the Ambassador and his wife Maya Ray, herself a 
barrister, former Member of Parliament and an effective representative 
for her country before the international community.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me, an elected Representative of the 
oldest continuous democratic republic on Earth, to pay tribute to the 
world's most populous democracy on the occasion of their great national 
day.

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