[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 174 (Saturday, November 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11976-S11977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 360, which was 
submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 360) honoring the Prime Minister of 
     India, Dr. Mahmohan Singh, for his service to the people of 
     India and to the world, and welcoming the Prime Minister to 
     the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any 
statements relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 360) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 360

       Whereas, on August 15, 1947, India became a sovereign, 
     democratic nation;
       Whereas the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh is 
     now the honoree of President Barack Obama's historic first 
     State Dinner;
       Whereas India is the world's largest democracy, embracing 
     and upholding fundamental liberties and freedoms, justice, 
     and the rule of law;
       Whereas the 2009 parliamentary elections in India were the 
     world's largest democratic election to date;
       Whereas India is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-
     religious society that promotes tolerance, diversity, and 
     equality;
       Whereas the 100,000 Indians who are studying in the United 
     States and the 2,500,000

[[Page S11977]]

     Americans of Indian descent living in the United States, 
     including Nobel Laureates, artists, business leaders, 
     journalists, and public servants, have contributed enormously 
     to the rich social, political, and economic fabric of the 
     United States;
       Whereas cooperation between the United States and India in 
     the areas of science and technology, our advancement of 
     security and defense, and our commitment to clean energy 
     continue to strengthen the bond between the two countries and 
     enhance mutual admiration;
       Whereas India serves as a pivotal and effective partner in 
     ensuring international peace and security and is the third 
     largest contributor of personnel to United Nations 
     peacekeeping missions;
       Whereas, since the liberalization of India's economy in 
     1991, bilateral trade has increased and benefitted both India 
     and the United States;
       Whereas, the market economy in India has contributed to 
     increased economic opportunities, reduced poverty, and 
     accompanying stability; and
       Whereas a strong relationship between the people and 
     governments of the United States and India, based on mutual 
     trust and respect, will enable the countries to more closely 
     collaborate across a broad spectrum of interests, such as 
     global peace and prosperity, counterterrorism, defense, 
     nonproliferation, economic prosperity, energy and climate 
     change, education, scientific research, outer space, public 
     health, and agriculture: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) warmly welcomes the Prime Minister of India, Dr. 
     Manmohan Singh, on his official state visit;
       (2) believes that together, the governments of India and 
     the United States can bring immense benefits to their people 
     and make enormous contributions to addressing the global 
     challenges of the 21st century;
       (3) looks forward to the continuing progress in relations 
     between India and the United States; and
       (4) appreciates the contributions of Americans of Indian 
     descent and desires closer relations between the people of 
     the United States and the people of India.

                          ____________________