[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MURLI DEORA ELECTED TO RAJA SABHA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, one of the newest members Raja Sabha, the 
Upper House of India's national parliament is Murli Deora, who has been 
one of the United States' strongest advocates and closest friends for 
many years. Murli's election to the Raja Sabha is a well deserved honor 
which some might say is long overdue.
  Murli has enjoyed a distinguished career as a public servant in India 
and throughout the world. A former mayor of Mumbai, India's largest 
city, Murli served for many years in India's Lower House, the Lok 
Sabha, where he rose to prominence in a number of areas, including 
India-U.S. relations. Murli worked tirelessly to bring the world's 
oldest democracy closer to the world's largest democracy. Murli carried 
on this effort even when relations between our two countries grew 
distant during the Cold War. Because of Murli's foresight, countless 
politicians and business leaders in the United States have long sought 
his counsel and advice on matters in India.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the 
Pacific, as well as a former Co-Chairman of the Congressional Caucus on 
India and Indian-Americans, I can attest to the generous time and 
energy Murli has given to fostering ties between our two countries. I 
have also had the privilege of working with Murli when he served as 
International President of Parliamentarians for Global Action, a 
worldwide inter-parliamentary organization focusing on many critical 
issues facing the world today. I also have watched with great interest 
and much pride as Murli built a series of computer training centers in 
many Indian cities to provide underprivileged children with free 
computer education.
  Mr. Speaker, for the last several years Murli has immersed himself in 
the activities of the Red Cross in India, where he has served as Vice-
Chairman. A legendary fund raiser, Murli secured critical funds to 
bring much needed relief for the victims of the devastating earthquake 
which rocked Gujurat last year. His important work in India earned 
Murli the second highest position at the Red Cross's international 
headquarters in Geneva.
  Mr. Speaker, Murli Deora's uncontested election to the Raja Sabha is 
a crowning achievement for a long and distinguished career in Indian 
politics. I am certain that all of our colleagues who are active in 
promoting stronger ties between the United States and India join me in 
extending congratulations and best wishes to Murli and his family. I am 
confident that, as Murli ascends to this important legislative body, 
that the citizens of India will once again benefit from his 
longstanding advocacy for democracy, economic development, social 
welfare and secularism.

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