[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]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
people of India, as they prepare to commemorate the 50th anniversary of 
their nation's independence from Britain. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, whose 
philosophy and practice of nonviolent civil disobedience was the 
cornerstone of the people of India's campaign, their long struggle for 
self-rule came to a triumphant end on August 15, 1947. The victory won 
by the people of India served as a model for American civil rights 
leaders, like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and inspired oppressed 
and disenfranchised people throughout the world. For these and many 
other reasons, I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of Senate 
Resolution 102, which designates August 15, 1997, as ``Indian 
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Indian and American 
Democracy.''
  The Golden Anniversary of India's independence provides people of 
Indian descent with an opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable 
achievements they have made in their homeland and in countries 
throughout the world. There are vital Indian communities from China to 
Michigan. In fact, Michigan's Indian-American community is one of the 
leading ethnic groups in my home State, and its members have made 
important contributions to the local economy and culture. Many of 
Michigan's Indian-Americans are professionals who play key roles in 
sectors like the automotive industry and the field of medicine. Many 
others are entrepreneurs, and Indian-Americans in Michigan own more 
than 600 businesses with thousands of employees.
  Indian-Americans are justifiably proud of the tremendous strides 
their homeland has made in the last 50 years. India is the world's 
largest democracy, with nearly 1 billion people. With a middle class of 
approximately 250 million, India is an increasingly important market 
for American goods. India's economy has been advancing rapidly, with a 
large stock market and strong high-tech enterprises like aircraft and 
automobile manufacturing, a computer industry, and its own space 
program.
  Mr. President, the 50th anniversary of India's independence provides 
an opportunity to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Indian-
American community. I know my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
profound contributions Indian-Americans have made to American society, 
and in offering congratulations to the people of India and their 
descendants throughout the world who are celebrating this important 
date in history.

                          ____________________