[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 120 (Friday, September 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING SWADESH CHATTERJEE AND THE INDIAN AMERICAN FORUM FOR POLITICAL 
                               EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 11, 1998

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, the Indian American Forum for Political 
Education is one of the oldest and most respected Indian American 
community organizations in the United States. During the August recess 
more than 500 members of the IAFPE gathered in nearby Chantilly, 
Virginia for its annual convention and to elect a new slate of 
officers.
  During the course of the convention, the IAFPE unanimously selected 
Swadesh Chatterjee as its new president. As a senior member of the 
House International Relations Committee, and particularly as someone 
who has supported a strong relationship between the United States and 
India, it has been my privilege to get to know Mr. Chatterjee. He has 
worked tirelessly with key decision makers in Washington to help the 
world's oldest democracy become better friends with the world's largest 
democracy. It is a fitting tribute to his work that Swadesh was elected 
to this post.
  Mr. Speaker, we are a nation of immigrants. Swadesh Chatterjee's life 
is the classic success story of an American citizen who immigrated to 
this country and rose to become a leader in his community. Swadesh was 
born in Calcutta, India, where his mother still resides, and graduated 
in 1965 from Calcutta University with a degree in physics. Four years 
later he obtained a second degree in electronic engineering from 
Jadapur University. Swadesh came to the United States in 1980 to become 
the plant manager of Brandt Instruments, a manufacturer of process 
control instrumentation located in the Raleigh-Durham area of North 
Carolina. From this position, Swadesh was promoted to Executive Vice 
President and, for the past five years, he has served as the company's 
President. Under Swadesh's direction, Brandt Instruments has been 
extremely successful with its operating profits growing 170 percent 
during the last three years.
  Swadesh is married to Dr. Manjusri Chatterjee, a psychiatrist in 
Cary, North Carolina. The couple have one daughter, Sopini, and a son, 
Souvik.
  Swadesh Chatterjee has proven to be an exemplary citizen of the 
United States. He has become a successful businessman, civic leader and 
advocate for the interests of the Indian American community in Raleigh, 
North Carolina, and in Washington, D.C. Politicians on both sides of 
the aisle have sought Swadesh's wise counsel and support. I know my 
colleagues join me in congratulating Swadesh on his election to the 
presidency of the IAFPE and wishing him continued success in the years 
ahead. Swadesh's story is a reminder to all that the Indian American 
community is one of our country's best human resources, as well as 
success stories. It is also wonderful proof that the United States is 
strong because we have welcomed immigrants to our shores, as they 
search for a better life for themselves, and better proof yet that we 
should continue to do so in the future.

                          ____________________