[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 52 (Tuesday, April 26, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H2493-H2495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING AND HONORING CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIAN AMERICANS TO ECONOMIC 
                    INNOVATION AND SOCIETY GENERALLY

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 227) recognizing and honoring the 
contributions of Indian Americans to economic innovation and society 
generally.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 227

       Whereas the United States is deeply enriched by its Indian 
     American residents;
       Whereas the Indian American community and the graduates of 
     the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) in the United 
     States have made valuable and significant contributions to 
     society in every profession and discipline; and
       Whereas IIT graduates are highly committed and dedicated to 
     research, innovation, and promotion of trade and 
     international cooperation between India and the United 
     States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the valuable and significant contributions 
     of Indian Americans to American society;
       (2) honors the economic innovation attributable to 
     graduates of the Indian Institutes of Technology; and
       (3) urges all Americans to recognize the contributions of 
     Indian Americans and have a greater appreciation of the role 
     Indian Americans have played in helping to advance and enrich 
     American society.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) 
each will control 20 minutes.

[[Page H2494]]

  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis).


                             General Leave

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution 
under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 227, which I 
introduced to recognize the contributions to our Nation of Indian 
Americans, and specifically the graduates of the Indian Institutes of 
Technology.
  After winning independence in 1947, India began building a democratic 
nation to provide its citizens with equal opportunities.

                              {time}  1530

  One of the successes of the new nation was the Indian Institute of 
Technology, or IIT, which was established in Kharagpur in May, 1950. 
Today there are seven IIT campuses across India. IITs have become 
synonymous with excellence in technology and engineering education.
  Since the inception of IIT, thousands of graduates have sought and 
achieved the highest levels of professional successes in the United 
States and indeed throughout the world. IIT graduates are estimated to 
have stimulated the creation of over 150,000 jobs in the U.S. Most 
Silicon Valley firms have at least one IIT graduate among their top 
executives. In my district in Northern Virginia, we literally have 
dozens of IIT executives running their own companies, producing 
thousands of jobs. Almost all IIT alumni attribute their success to the 
rigorous educational foundation they received at IIT.
  Mr. Speaker, the U.S. has attracted more IIT graduates than any other 
country because we remain on the cutting edge of the science and 
technology fields. In recognition of IIT graduates' contributions to 
our Nation, the second Global IIT Alumni Conference will be held in 
nearby Bethesda, Maryland from May 20 through 22. The conference will 
attract over 1,500 attendees from all over the United States and around 
the world.
  Mr. Speaker I am pleased that the House is recognizing the 
achievements of Indian Americans and IIT graduates in helping to make 
the United States the global leader it is. Indian Americans are 
wonderful ambassadors of their homeland, and they strengthen the strong 
friendship between India and the United States, the two largest 
democratic nations in the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in recognition of 
the important contributions made by Indian Americans and IIT graduates 
to our national economy. I thank the House India Caucus and all the 
cosponsors for their support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important that we acknowledge from time to time 
our individual histories and what makes us unique. I believe that it is 
our differences that make our Nation strong. Therefore, I am very happy 
to join the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis), the distinguished 
chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform, in support of H. 
Res. 227, recognizing and honoring the contributions of Indian 
Americans to economic innovation and to society generally.
  According to a 2000 census, the Indian American population stands at 
over 1.6 million. This represents a 106 percent increase over the 1990 
census figures. In fact, Indian Americans are the largest-growing Asian 
American community in the United States.
  In addition to being a growing community within our society, the 
Indian American population also is a wonderful contributor to our 
Nation's well-being. The Indian American median family income is 
$60,093, which is significantly higher than the national median family 
income of $38,885. This high-income level is not only an example of 
their determination and hard work, but it is also a testament to the 
strong regard they hold for education. More than 87 percent of Indian 
Americans have completed high school, while at least 62 percent have 
completed some college. The value that members of the Indian American 
community place on education allows them and helps them to succeed in 
this country and to become positive role models and economic forces for 
all of us.
  As our Nation struggles to teach the value of education to our young, 
I strongly believe that we should hold in high regard the Indian 
American community's commitment to higher education. It is indeed 
inspirational. So once again, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) for his leadership on this 
issue and reiterate my strong support for H. Res. 227.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Jindal).
  Mr. JINDAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of what I think is 
a very appropriate resolution.
  I am very proud to be the son of Indian immigrants to this country. 
Though born and raised in Louisiana, I am very proud of their 
background. Certainly I think not only my parents but the interior 
Indian American community is a great example of living the American 
dream. And so many stories have been told, and there are so many 
wonderful examples.
  Certainly we can talk in terms of numbers. We can talk in terms of 
the IIT graduates who are now doing so well in Fortune 500 companies in 
this country. Certainly we can talk about the academic achievements. We 
can talk about the contributions to our high-tech industry in this 
country. We can talk about the contributions in medicine, in small 
business ownership. And the numbers are phenomenal. One of the most 
successful, if not the most successful, immigrant group. But I do not 
think the numbers tell the entire story. I think sometimes we have to 
look beyond the numbers and hear the personal stories.
  My father, for example, is one of nine children, the first one in his 
family and the only one to go to high school, much less beyond high 
school. I am certainly very proud of everything my father has 
accomplished in this country. But it is not just my father. I am very 
proud of all the different Indian Americans I have the privilege of 
meeting who have achieved so much in their respective fields, and again 
I think a wonderful example of the American dream, a wonderful example 
that in this country we do provide opportunity if one works hard and 
pursues that education.
  I often tease my parents. Mark Twain said that the older we become, 
the smarter our fathers become, the smarter our parents become. And I 
tease my parents because, now being the father of two children, I 
appreciate more and more what my parents have sacrificed, what they 
have endured and what they have accomplished. I appreciate more the 
significance of the accomplishments of the Indian American community. 
Some of those things we took for granted. I did, anyway, growing up. We 
did not really realize the significance of those struggles, those 
sacrifices, and how remarkable have been their collective and 
individual achievements.
  Again, it is hard to exaggerate. The Indian American population 
numbers, according to census numbers, 1\1/2\ million people in this 
country. We are talking about the Indians in America, 87 percent have 
completed high school, almost two-thirds have at least some college 
education. Remarkable numbers, remarkable contributions. But, again, 
the numbers do not tell the entire story.
  In my State, Indian American physicians serve some of the neediest 
areas, allow emergency rooms to stay open, provide primary care to 
those who would not otherwise have access to care. The numbers are 
amazing; 300,000 Indian Americans working in Silicon Valley, 750 of 
those companies headed by people of Indian American descent, 
responsible for 15 percent of the high-tech startups in the area.
  Again when we look at the numbers, they tell an amazing story, but it 
is not just the numbers. Again, in my

[[Page H2495]]

home State, in my home district, Indian Americans own businesses in the 
biggest cities to the smallest communities, the most rural parts of my 
State, employing thousands of my citizens, of my constituents. So, 
again, I think it is a wonderful success story.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Chairman Tom Davis) for 
highlighting, through this resolution, the accomplishments of the 
Indian American people.
  But I will just remind my colleagues two things in closing: One, it 
is my belief that the Indian American success story is a great 
testimony to the strength of the American dream, that the American 
dream is alive and well. One of the reasons I was so passionate to 
become a Member of this body was to nurture that dream for our 
children, to make sure that all of our children continue to have the 
same opportunities that brought my parents and others like them here in 
the first place. And, secondly, to say it is not just the numbers. It 
is not just the IIT graduates. It is not just the high-tech startups. 
It is not just the educational achievement. It is also the personal 
stories. Stories like my dad's, and others like him, who have not only 
done so well but have given so their kids and others around them might 
have a better quality of life.
  Again, I want to thank the chairman and my colleagues for sponsoring 
and supporting this resolution. I am very proud to not only cosponsor 
the resolution but to be a part of a community that is so grateful and 
has done so much to contribute to this country.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  I just want to thank the gentleman from Illinois on the other side of 
the aisle for helping us bring this bill to the floor and the gentleman 
from Louisiana, a Rhodes scholar and one who has brought credit to his 
heritage, to his State, and this body by serving here.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 227, 
which would honor the contributions of Indian Americans in the field of 
information technology.
  Like so many other groups, Indian Americans lend creativity, 
technical expertise, and innovation to their chosen fields. Every day, 
they show their dedication not only to improving the economy and 
competitiveness of this country, but to advancing a positive 
relationship between the United States and India.
  This resolution presents us with an opportunity to thank those who 
have such an important impact on our society. Indian Americans have 
created thousands of jobs in the U.S. and hold senior positions at 
Fortune 500 companies, national labs, universities, and venture capital 
firms. And through their work as economists, researchers, educators, 
and social and political leaders, they have ensured that their 
extraordinary commitment will benefit not only this generation, but the 
next, as well.
  That is why I support this resolution. The cornerstone of our society 
was built on the contributions of many groups who brought intelligence 
and originality to their work in this country. And that is why I urge 
my colleagues to join me today in thanking Indian Americans by 
recognizing their contributions to information technology.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, as the former Co-Chair of the Caucus on 
India and Indian Americans and the representative of one of the largest 
concentrations of Indian Americans in the United States, I have seen 
firsthand the contributions my friends from India have made.
  I commend my colleague and good friend Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) for 
introducing this legislation and talking about the contributions of 
Indian Americans. Representing the second highest concentration of 
Indian Americans in the country, I have seen for myself on 74th Street 
in Jackson Heights, Queens how successful and industrious Indian 
Americans are. That recipe for success starts with institutions like 
the Indian Institute of Technology, which we recognize today, and the 
far-reaching success of their graduates.
  The Indian Institute of Technology (lIT) has had a long history of 
grooming fine minds that have gone on to achieve incredible success in 
India and around the world.
  The first IIT was established in 1950 in Kharagpur and now 50 plus 
years later they have a total of seven institutes, with the newest one 
established by recognizing University of Roorkee, one of Asia's oldest 
engineering institutions, as IIT Roorkee. Many of the top Indians in 
industry have graduated from India's prestigious Indian Institute of 
Technology, like Vinod Khosla, founder of Sun Microsystems, to Rajat 
Gupta, the first non North America born head of the venerable 
consulting company McKinsey & Co.
  I have had an opportunity to meet many graduates of IIT and all have 
spoken about the benefits of attending the institute.
  I believe in today's current educational environment in the United 
States we can learn from the history of how the Indian government went 
about establishing this institute. After the Indians gained their 
independence from the British, they formed committees to explore ways 
of creating an educated class of people to move the country forward.
  What they found was that to be competitive in the world they needed 
to excel in technology and engineering, which is where we in the United 
States find ourselves to be lacking today. We need to follow the 
example of our Indian friends and the example we set in the 1960's and 
create a national strategy to make the way we teach our children in the 
United States more focused on the math and sciences so we are not left 
behind.
  Instead of fearing India as an economic competitor, we should be 
embracing India as an economic and political ally. The over 1 billion 
consumers in India and the market for U.S. goods and services in India 
allows for unprecedented opportunities for American companies, and job 
growth for Americans.
  I want to thank Mr. Davis for introducing this resolution and urge 
all my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a co-sponsor 
of H. Res. 227 to honor all that Indian Americans have contributed to 
our country. Specifically, I would like to commend the graduates of the 
Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) for their economic innovations 
and technological expertise.
  After India gained its independence and began its new life as a 
democratic nation, a committee was formed to create institutes of 
higher education that would focus on technology to fuel the post-war 
industrial development of India. After looking at the committee 
recommendations, the first Indian Institute of Technology was created 
in May 1950. The campus was placed at the site of the Hijli Detention 
camp, which used to house young Indian freedom fighters during the 
independence movement.
  Since that time 6 more campuses have been formed throughout India. 
IIT offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in more than 25 
engineering, science, technology and management disciplines. Students 
are admitted after taking a national entrance exam and the student body 
is a diverse mixture of socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, 
languages, and religions.
  After graduating from IIT, alumni are able to take the knowledge they 
gained and excel in technology and engineering sectors. Graduates are 
currently serving in senior positions at Citigroup and Sun 
Microsystems, among other established and Fortune 500 companies. They 
are also serving as Deans and Professors at the best universities in 
the United States, including Harvard, MIT and Carnegie Mellon.
  The United States economy has felt the impact of IIT graduates. Over 
25 percent of graduates since 1990 have been entrepreneurs and have 
started numerous companies that have fueled job creation in their 
communities. IIT alumni are also performing cutting edge research that 
is needed by U.S. companies, and a great number have received patents 
for their innovations.
  The effect of Indian Institute of Technology graduates is felt here 
in the United States and throughout the world. It is important that all 
Americans recognize the great impact Indian Americans and IIT graduates 
have had on our society and economy. Without their knowledge, skill, 
and drive to achieve, our economy would not have as many technological 
innovations which enrich our daily lives.
  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of 
my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Boozman). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Tom Davis) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 227.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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