[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 111 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S8623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF INDIA

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the people of 
India on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of India's 
independence.
  Independence days, like birthdays, are for celebrating. And we have 
much to celebrate in United States-India relations. The friendship 
between the Indian and American people today is stronger and more 
deeply rooted than ever--deeply rooted because it is based on shared 
values, and strong because it is shared by more Indians and more 
Americans than ever before.
  The friendship between the United States and India is a friendship 
that goes back to the beginnings of the American Nation. In fact, the 
first Asian Indian-American is said to have come to the United States 
200 years ago.
  It is a friendship that was strengthened when the United States 
supported Indian independence in 1947. It was strengthened again when 
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi during the 
American civil rights movement. And it was strengthened most recently 
when India embarked on its bold strategy of economic openness.
  It is a friendship based on mutual respect and understanding--
understanding that the problems we face are mutual problems. In a 
shrinking world, India's challenges and India's successes are also 
those of the United States. Because radicalism and terrorism threaten 
all civilized countries, especially democracies. Because in a world 
economy, one nation cannot long prosper while its neighbors do not.
  India and the United States stand on the threshold of a new era. In 
just the past few years, India has flung open its doors to the world, 
and emerged as a rising star on the world scene. We should commit 
ourselves to continue the progress of recent years.
  We have a great advantage in this effort. It is the Indian-American 
community. Indian-Americans are the magnet that will keep India and the 
United States moving closer together, making our friendship worthy of 
the world's largest and oldest democracies.
  Mr. President, I am a proud cosponsor of a resolution in the Senate 
designating August 15, 1997 as ``Indian Independence Day: A National 
Day of Celebration of Indian and American Democracy.'' This resolution 
reaffirms the democratic principles on which the United States and 
India were established, and it requests that the President issue a 
proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe 
the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. And to the people of 
India, Indian-Americans, and all those who support the ideals of 
liberty and democracy, I wish you a happy independence day!

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