[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2157-E2158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TO THANK AMBASSADOR COWSIK FOR AN EXCELLENT JOB

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the Washington diplomatic corps is about to 
lose one of its brightest lights with the departure of Shymala B. 
Cowsik, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of India. Ms. Cowsik 
will soon conclude her distinguished 2-year tour of duty in the United 
States. In her all too brief tenure, Ambassador Cowsik has been a force 
in the steadily improving relations between the world's two largest 
democracies, India and the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Cowsik has been no stranger to Capitol Hill 
during her tenure. She has worked tirelessly to educate Members of 
Congress and their staff about the ongoing economic liberalization 
process in India, and the possibilities for an ever closer relationship 
in the fields of trade and investment. Of course, international 
relations are not just based on economic factors, and Ambassador Cowsik 
has played a major role in helping to guide a complex and expanding 
bilateral relationship based on shared values of democracy and human 
rights, respect for the rule of law, and a growing appreciation for the 
cultures and traditions of each other's country.
  Ambassador Cowsik has had an eminent career in India's Foreign 
Service. She has served as India's Ambassador to the Philippines, and 
has held major posts in Thailand and Yugoslavia. She now moves on to 
serve as India's Ambassador to Cyprus.
  As the co-chairman of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-
Americans, and as a Member of Congress representing one of the largest 
Indian-American communities in the United States, I consider ties 
between the United States and India to be of the utmost importance in 
our Nation's foreign policy. While we still have a ways to go to give 
Indo-United States ties the priority they deserve, the momentum is 
clearly moving in the right direction. In the last 2 years, those 
efforts have made giant strides, and the excellent work of Ambassador 
Cowsik has played a major role. We will miss her, even as we wish her 
every success in continuing to represent

[[Page E2158]]

and serve her nation with the highest distinction and dignity.

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