[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.

                          ____________________