[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E131-E132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR RAY

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS J. MANTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 1996

  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Siddhartha 
Shankar Ray for serving with distinction as India's Ambassador to the 
United States for the past 3\1/2\ years. During his tenure, relations 
between the United States and India have reached a new plateau of 
strength, friendship, and understanding. The United States has become 
India's largest investor, and India has been named by the Department of 
Commerce as one of the key emerging markets for United States business 
for this decade and the next century.
  There are many reasons for this dramatic improvement in relations 
between our two countries. However, I believe it is clear that no one 
has made a greater contribution or played a more central role in this 
transformation than Siddhartha Shankar Ray. He has worked tirelessly 
with the Congress and the executive branch as well as State and local 
officials around the country to help ensure that our Government fully 
understands India's needs and concerns. He has been a bridge builder 
between the United States business and investment community and the 
Indian private and public sector. He has been a sought after speaker 
and commentator in the academic community here, along with numerous 
important think tanks and private foundations. Finally, Ambassador Ray 
has been an ambassador ``par excellence'' in the Indian-American 
community. He has travelled to almost every State and city with an 
Indian-American population reminding Americans of Indian descent and of 
the important economic reforms unfolding on the subcontinent, while 
urging Indian-Americans to be active participants in the transformation 
of the Indian economy.
  Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Ray has greatly impressed many of us in the 
Congress with his artful diplomacy, his keen logic and his persuasive 
skills. He has taken the thorniest issues in the Indo-United States 
relationship and presented them to decision makers in the United States 
in a manner which has been both convincing and reassuring. It is 
obvious to anyone who has worked with him during the past several years 
that Ambassador Ray's skills as an imminent India barrister have 

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served India well during his term as Ambassador.
  Of course, Ambassador Ray has not achieved all of these successes by 
himself. He possesses another invaluable asset: his lovely wife, Maya, 
who also is a noted barrister and former elected official. Maya Ray has 
been a gracious host, trusted advisor and articulate spokesperson. 
Together, they have proven to be a superb team.
  Mr. Speaker, later this month, Siddhartha Shankar Ray will leave his 
position as Ambassador to the United States to return to Calcutta, his 
home city, to stand for election to the Lokh Sabha, India's House of 
Parliament. While it would be improper for any Member of this body on 
either side of the aisle to endorse a candidate for office in India, I 
am certain all of my colleagues agree that Ambassador Ray will approach 
the coming campaign with the same level of energy, dedication and 
articulate persuasion that were the hallmark of his years in 
Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in wishing Siddhartha 
Shankar Ray and Maya every good wish in the months and years to come. 
We invite them to visit us in Washington often to witness the fruits of 
Ambassador Ray's labor as the Indo-United States relationship continues 
to grow and prosper.

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