[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1551-E1552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              54TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  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 54th 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.
  Last month, 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, and to the sons and daughters of India who have come 
to the United States, enriching American society in so many ways.
  On August 15, 1947, the people of India finally gained their 
independence from Britain, following a long and determined struggle 
that 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. 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.
  Mr. Speaker, one of the most difficult situations for a democracy is 
their relationships with their neighbors, especially if they do not 
share the same democratic ideals. India has

[[Page E1552]]

struggled to establish a peaceful cooperation with the nation of 
Pakistan. As you know, Pakistan has made a transition from the thin 
guise of democracy to an outright military state.
  Despite this fact, India has made repeated efforts to establish 
peaceful and economically prosperous relations with Pakistan.
  Evidence of this can be found in India's Prime Minister Atal Behari 
Vajpayee extending the hand of friendship to Pakistan President 
Musharraf. This is the latest act of good faith by India even though 
Pakistan has consistently reverted in their promises to uphold their 
end in recent years. In February of 1999 India and Pakistan signed the 
Lahore Declaration under which they pledged to establish a procedure 
for resolving their differences through bilateral negotiations. 
Pakistan subsequently betrayed this when their forces crossed the Line 
of Control in Kashmir, resulting in the loss of hundreds of lives and 
international condemnation. Pakistan also broke the latest cease-fire 
initiated by India, yet Vajpayee still decided to invite Musharraf to a 
summit this past month. While the summit collapsed, Vajpayee has vowed 
to continue dialogue to try to bring about peace with India's neighbor.
  India is of utmost importance to the United States, not only because 
of our shared principles, but also because of India's strategic 
importance. They have showed the Western World time and time again that 
they serve as a vital stabilizing force in the South Asian region. 
India has committed itself both politically and economically with the 
United States. In March of 2000, our countries participated in the 
U.S.-India Summit in New Dehli, where a Vision Statement was crafted. 
This statement committed both countries to fight against terrorism, 
prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, expand trade, and a 
variety of other important issues. To this day, India continues to 
reduce barriers to trade, and bilateral trade has grown from less than 
$5 billion in 1993 to over $15 billion in 2000. India has not just 
passed the litmus test of foreign governments, but they have passed the 
much harder test of Western corporations that look for a profitable 
environment. There are hundreds of U.S. companies investing in India: 
AT&T, Citicorp, Morgan Stanley, Ford Motor Company, and IBM just to 
name a few.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise on behalf of the 
Indian-Americans in my district, and the 1.6 million all over this 
country to extend my congratulations to the largest democracy in the 
world. India has survived hostile neighbors, the transition from 
colonialism, recent earthquakes and droughts, and adaptation to the 
world economy, and with the continued support of the United States, 
will do so for many years to come.

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