[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1777-E1778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 5, 1999

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to join with the people of 
India and the Indian-American community to commemorate India's 
Independence Day. The 52nd anniversary of India's Independence will 
actually occur on August 15th, while Congress is in recess, so I wanted 
to take this opportunity tonight, before we adjourn, to mark this 
important occasion before my colleagues in this House and the American 
people.
  On August 15, 1947, the people of India finally gained their 
independence from Britain, following a long and determined struggle 
that

[[Page E1778]]

continues to inspire the world. In his stirring ``midnight hour'' 
speech, India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, set the tone 
for the newly established Republic, a Republic devoted to the 
principles of democracy and secularism. In more than half a century 
since then, India has stuck to the path of free and fair elections, a 
multi-party political system and the orderly transfer of power from one 
government to its successor.
  India continues to grapple with the challenges of delivering broad-
based economic development to a large and growing population. Indeed, 
today's New York Times reports that India's population is expected to 
reach one billion in about 10 days. India has sought to provide full 
rights and representation to its many ethnic, religious and linguistic 
communities. And India seeks to be a force for stability and 
cooperation in the strategically vital South Asia region. In all of 
these respects, India stands out as a model for other Asian nations, 
and developing countries everywhere, to follow.
  This year, we have seen that India faces serious challenges from 
outside forces intent on destabilizing the democracy that India's 
founders dreamed of and that successive generations of Indians have 
worked to build. Armed militants, operating with the support of 
Pakistan, crossed over onto India's side of the Line of Control in 
Kashmir. India's armed forces responded to this incursion in a firm but 
restrained manner. At the same time, India has sought to resolve its 
differences with Pakistan in a peaceful way, through bipartisan 
negotiations.
  Mr. Speaker, next month, India will once again demonstrate its 
commitment to democracy for all the world to see, as it conducts 
Parliamentary elections. As in past years, hundreds of millions of men 
and women from all across India--Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Jains, 
Christians--will cast ballots, choosing from candidates representing a 
diverse array of political parties. I am confident that the elections 
will be free and fair, as they have been in past years. Whichever party 
will form the new government, I am confident that they will continue to 
build on the dream of India's first Prime Minister Nehru to move 
forward on the path of representative democracy and economic 
development.
  There is a rich tradition of shared values between the United States 
and India. We both proclaimed our independence from British 
colonialism. India derived key aspects of its Constitution, 
particularly the statement of Fundamental Rights, from our own Bill of 
Rights. It is well known that Dr. Martin Luther King derived many of 
his ideas of non-violent resistance to injustice from the teachings of 
Mahatma Gandhi. That commitment to the use of peaceful means to 
overthrow tyranny has been emulated by such diverse world leaders as 
Nelson Mandela and Lech Walesa.
  Today, the National Capital Planning Commission here in Washington 
approved a small park with a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi across from the 
Indian Embassy on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C., known as 
Embassy Row. Last year, this House approved legislation co-sponsored by 
myself and the Gentleman from Florida, Mr. McCollum, authorizing the 
Government of India to establish the memorial. The proposed Gandhi 
Memorial will be a most worthy addition to the landscape of our 
nation's capital, and it won't cost the American taxpayers anything to 
construct it.
  Another extremely important link between our two countries, a human 
link, is the more than one million Americans of Indian descent. I have 
the honor of representing a Congressional district in Central New 
Jersey with one of the largest Indian-American communities in the 
country. Increasingly, my colleagues in this House, Democrats and 
Republicans from all regions of the country, have indicated to me that 
their Indian-American constituents are playing increasingly prominent 
roles in all walks of life.
  Another way in which India and America continue to grow closer is 
through increased economic ties. The historic market reforms begun in 
India at the beginning of this decade continue to move forward, 
offering unparalleled opportunities for trade, investment and joint 
partnerships--all of which include a human dimension of friendship and 
cooperation, in addition to the economic benefits for both societies.
  Mr. Speaker, for more than a year, United States-India ties have been 
strained over the issue of nuclear testing, and the subsequent 
imposition of unilateral American sanctions against India. There is a 
growing bipartisan effort in Congress, and within the Administration, 
to lift these sanctions, which have not advanced United States 
interests and have only served to set back the growing United States-
India relationship.
  Just this week, we witnessed a debate in this chamber as an amendment 
to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill was proposed to cut aid 
to India, in a purely punitive gesture. The amendment was subsequently 
withdrawn, after one Member of Congress after another rose to oppose 
the amendment and to argue for a strengthened United States-India 
relationship.
  Mr. Speaker, there are indications that President Clinton will visit 
India and other countries in the South Asia region early next year. 
It's been 20 years since a United States President last visited India, 
so I think such a visit is long overdue.
  Just a few weeks ago, we Americans celebrated the Fourth of July. For 
a billion people in India, one-sixth of the human race, the 15th of 
August holds the same significance. I am proud to extend my 
congratulations to the people of India, citizens of the world's largest 
democracy, as they celebrate the 52nd anniversary of their 
independence.

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