[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO H. E. AMBASSADOR SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR RAY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 1996

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to my friend and 
colleague, Ambassador Siddhartha Shankar Ray, India's envoy to the 
United States. During his 4 years in the United States, Indo-United 
States relations significantly improved. Ambassador Ray's efforts on 
behalf of his nation helped to educate so many of us in the Congress 
about the important economic reforms currently being implemented in the 
world's largest democracy. A distinguished diplomat, gentleman, and 
friend, Ambassador Ray and his wife, Maya, will be missed in 
Washington.
  Prior to coming to Washington, both Ambassador and Mrs. Ray had 
distinguished legal careers and both also served their nation as 
Members of Parliament. Immediately preceding his current post, 
Ambassador Ray served with distinction as Governor of Punjab. Those of 
us who closely follow events in South Asia fully recognize the 
challenges Ambassador Ray faced in Punjab. Despite the seemingly 
intractable problems in that region, Ambassador Ray left Punjab, as he 
now leaves Washington with an impressive list of accomplishments.
  Mr. Ray was appointed Ambassador to the United States on October 10, 
1992, with the rank of Federal Cabinet Minister. That appointment, at 
that level, demonstrates Prime Minister Rao's confidence in Ambassador 
Ray. As chairman of the House International Relations Committee, I 
fully agree that the Prime Minister's confidence was well-placed.
  It was during Ambassador Ray's tenure in Washington that Prime 
Minister Rao addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress--the 
highest honor our Nation can convey upon a foreign dignitary. It was 
during Ambassador Ray's tenure in Washington that the United States and 
India moved beyond almost all of the difficulties of the cold war. The 
improved climate in Indo-United States relations can be tangibly 
measured by the number of high-level United States official visits to 
Washington.
  It is with great regret that we bid farewell to Siddhartha and Maya 
Ray. We commend the Ambassador and Mrs. Ray for their outstanding work 
in Washington and we wish them success in all of their future 
endeavors.

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