[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H6679-H6680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONGRATULATING INDIA AND PAKISTAN ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of
the resolution (H. Res. 157) congratulating the people of India and
Pakistan on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of their nations'
independence, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I do
not intend to object, but under my reservation I yield to the gentleman
from New York to explain the resolution.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Nebraska for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter], the
distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, has
sponsored this timely resolution, and I welcome his support at this
very timely moment.
It is indeed a matter to celebrate when two of the largest
democracies in the world, both India and Pakistan, reach their 50th
anniversary of independence. In particular, India has had a continuous
50-year tradition of democracy and rule of law and great respect for
religious freedom. We very much agree that we look forward to
broadening and deepening the United States cooperation and friendship
with both nations in the years to come.
Finally, one of the clauses of this resolution notes that the House
plans to send a delegation to attend the independence celebrations. It
is going to be my honor to lead such a delegation, and I look forward
to being able to call to the attention of the House the fact that this
resolution was fully agreed to in the House in such a timely manner.
We congratulate both India and Pakistan on their 50th anniversaries
of their independence, and I thank the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr.
Bereuter] for bringing this matter before us at this time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman.
Under my reservation, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms.
Jackson-Lee].
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from
Nebraska as well. I thank him for his kindness.
Mr. Speaker, sometimes we tend to give credit to the youth, to what
is young. I think it is so very important to acknowledge Pakistan and
India for 50 years of democracy. I know the gentleman from New York
Chairman Gilman has been a strong stalwart around this Nation in
advocating the understanding of world affairs and applauding our
neighbors for them upholding democracy.
Here we have two very fine nations that will celebrate 50 years. I
want my colleagues to know that I may not be in India or Pakistan, I am
not sure, but I will be celebrating with those citizens of that origin
here in this Nation if I am not, and I will be gratified to be with
them, because they set a very fine example for what can be, no matter
how large a country you might be, that every individual is valued and
democracy is valued.
I am proud to be of this Nation, that for the longest period of time
has claimed itself as a free and democratic Nation, and I am very happy
today to be able to extend my hand of friendship, applause, to both of
these gentlemen for raising up this honor of these two very fine
nations. They have been democratic, they continue to work for
democracy, and they continue to work to have a free society for their
people.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her comments.
Under my reservation, I would like to continue very briefly.
America's relations with India are strong and are improving, and has
in recent years experienced extraordinarily successful elections. The
social and economic progress it has achieved in the last five decades
is truly remarkable, and it has laid a foundation, a strong one, for
India's future. The United States and India have developed into
important trading partners. Indian-Americans are making enormous
contributions to both countries.
Similarly, Pakistan is an extremely important friend to the United
States. Pakistan's commitment to democracy was most recently evidenced
in the February 1997 elections, which brought about a change of
government. Pakistani-Americans have also made major contributions to
American society, and our relationship has proven mutually beneficial.
It is this Member's understanding that the distinguished gentleman
from New York [Mr. Gilman], the chairman of the Committee on
International Relations, will be leading a delegation to India and
Pakistan in the coming month, in part to celebrate this momentous
occasion. Such a delegation is appropriate and timely, and this Member
certainly congratulates the chairman on his decision to lead such an
important delegation.
The resolution itself calls for an official appointed House
delegation to visit the two countries within the next anniversary year.
Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 157 is a bipartisan effort sponsored by
this Member, the distinguished ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on
Asia and the Pacific, the gentleman from California, Mr. Berman, the
distinguished chairman of the committee on International Relations, Mr.
Gilman, and the ranking Democrat of the Committee on International
Relations, Mr. Hamilton, as well as distinguished members from the
House leadership, the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Gingrich, House
Speaker; and the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Bonior, the Democratic
whip.
I would urge and expect to have support for this resolution.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield
under his reservation, I just want to thank the gentleman from Nebraska
[Mr. Bereuter] for his supporting remarks and for sponsoring this
measure. I also thank the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee] for
her support of this measure and for her kind remarks.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from New York?
There was no objection.
The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:
H. Res. 157
Whereas in August 1947 the people of Pakistan and India
gained their independence from the British;
Whereas the people of India, Pakistan, and the United
States have a common interest in the promotion and
preservation of democratic systems of government;
Whereas since independence in 1947 the people of India have
maintained the world's largest democracy, one that serves as
an inspiration for people throughout the world;
Whereas in recent years the people of Pakistan have
reasserted their own strong commitment to building and
sustaining a democratic system of government;
Whereas, in addition to democracy, the people of Pakistan,
India, and the United States have had many shared values and
interests over the past fifty years, including the desire to
promote the peaceful development of the South Asian region;
Whereas Indian and Pakistani citizens, who have visited or
lived in the United States, and United States citizens, who
have visited or lived in India and Pakistan, have done much
to improve mutual understanding and build friendship over the
past fifty years;
[[Page H6680]]
Whereas United States citizens of Pakistani or Indian
origin have contributed greatly to the advancement of
knowledge, the development of the United States economy, and
the enrichment of cultural life in the United States;
Whereas the ties of trade and investment among the United
States, India, and Pakistan have grown over fifty years to
the great benefit of the people of all three countries; and
Whereas the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of
Pakistan and India offers an opportunity for India, Pakistan,
and the United States to renew their commitment to
international cooperation on issues of mutual interest and
concern: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) congratulates the people of India and Pakistan on the
occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of their nations'
independence;
(2) looks forward to broadening and deepening United States
cooperation and friendship with Pakistan and India in the
years ahead for the benefit of the people of all three
countries; and
(3) intends to send a delegation to India and Pakistan
during this 50th anniversary year of independence to further
enhance the mutual understanding among the United States,
Pakistan, and India and among the United States Congress and
the parliaments of those countries.
The resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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