[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E469]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MURLI DEORA JOINS INDIA'S UPPER HOUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, one of the architects of the growing 
diplomatic relationship between the United States and India received 
some long overdue recognition last weekend when Murli Deora was elected 
to the Raja Sabha, the Upper House of India's National Parliament.
  As our colleagues may recall, relations between the United States and 
India went through difficult times during the 70's and 80's because of 
the Cold War. We were, as former Ambassador Dennis Kux declared, 
``estranged democracies.'' Yet, even during the weakest of times in our 
relationship with India, Murli Deora worked hard to bring our two 
nations together. His views were often times at odds with the foreign 
policy establishment in his country. Only during the past decade did 
the United States' democracy finally draw close to the world's largest 
democracy. In the process, Murli Deora was vindicated.
  Mr. Speaker, Murli Deora has a long and distinguished career as a 
politician in India. Murli began his career in public service more than 
twenty-five years ago as the Mayor of Mumbai, India's largest city. 
Although Murli's public life has taken him to all parts of the world, 
he has never forgotten his roots or his love of this city of more than 
twelve million people. A long time member of the Congress Party, Murli 
remains President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, a 
grassroots party organization renowned in Indian politics.
  Upon completing two terms as Mumbai's mayor, Murli was elected 
repeatedly to the Lok Sabha, the Lower House of India's parliament. 
During his many years as a Parliamentarian, Murli distinguished himself 
as a skilled legislator. Among his many accomplishments was passage of 
landmark legislation to open India's insurance market to foreign 
investment. Murli also used his tenure in the Lok Sabha to become a 
tireless advocate for stronger India-U.S. ties. He founded the India-
U.S. Interparliamentary Forum and headed the Indo U.S. Initiative. When 
members of this body decided to band together to create the 
Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Murli offered his 
encouragement and support. As the current Co-Chairman of the Caucus, I 
can attest first hand to Murli's dedication, energy and foresight.
  Mr. Speaker, the world has always been Murli's forum. A former 
President of the Parliamentary for Global Action, Murli has spent the 
last three years working as a senior official of the Indian Red Cross 
and as International Vice President for the Red Cross in Geneva. 
Therefore, it is both fitting and appropriate that Murli has been 
elected without opposition to the Raja Sabha. All of us who know Murli 
congratulate him and welcome his induction into this senior most 
legislative body in India. I am confident that Murli will continue to 
immerse himself in the pressing problems of hunger, disease, the 
underclass and economic development. And, I am certain that relations 
between our two countries will also continue to occupy a central place 
in Murli's busy world. As a result, we have much to look forward to, 
and relations between our two countries will be the clear beneficiary.

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