[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE

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                             HON. RON KLINK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. KLINK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 50th anniversary of 
India's independence. On August 15, 1997, India, the world's largest 
democracy celebrated 50 years of freedom from British rule. Today, 
Indian emigrants share their culture, diversity, religions, and 
languages with people throughout the United States. Last week on the 
floor of this House of Representatives, some Members attempted to 
perform a great disservice to the proud and distinguished Indian people 
who have worked so hard to instill democracy in their country.
  Mr. Speaker, the road to democracy in India has not been an easy one 
to navigate. India's first 50 years of independence have been filled 
with numerous challenges to the nation's sovereignty. Lest I remind 
those in this Chamber of the tumultuous first century which the 
Founders of this great Nation endured. But to penalize this country by 
limiting developmental assistance funding would be an act of ignorance 
that not even this body could endorse.
  India exhibits all of the internal problems that any country of 1 
billion people would face. Yes, there is violent crime, yes, there are 
acts of terrorism, and yes, there is racial violence. But we also have 
these same problems in our country. Financial punishment of India would 
be tantamount to the imposition of the death sentence to the millions 
of children who rely on our assistance to survive.
  United States-India relations are strong. India has been able to 
maintain the democratic principles they were founded on in the face of 
great diversity. India is a country we should applaud, not condemn. 
Recently, the Commerce Department designated India as one of the United 
States' most important trading partners and India's largest investor. I 
am pleased the House unaminously rejected this most recent attack on 
India and urge my colleagues to continue to support democracy in this 
great country.


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