[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 140 (Friday, August 22, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E781]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE FEDERATION OF INDIAN ASSOCIATIONS IN COMMEMORATING 
                    INDIA'S 78 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

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                        HON. RAJA KRISHNAMOORTHI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 22, 2025

  Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize the 
Federation of Indian Associations (FIA) as it commemorates India's 78 
years of independence. Since FIA's establishment in 1970, its mission 
has been to serve the Indian-American community, promote Indian 
cultural heritage, and advance bilateral ties between the United States 
and India.
  Over the course of five decades, FIA has organized numerous outreach 
events to provide community support and to celebrate Indian culture and 
heritage. FIA's efforts have included consular document service 
assistance for over 11,000 community members, cultural dance 
competitions that have engaged over 19,000 children in celebration of 
their heritage, and an annual Diwali Soup Kitchen, which has 
successfully distributed thousands of meals throughout the Northeastern 
United States. Furthermore, FIA helped to distribute personal 
protective equipment and hot meals to first responders and community 
members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  Mr. Speaker, I honor the dedicated work of FIA to serve and uplift 
the Indian-American community, sustain the legacy of Indian heritage 
across generations, and foster cross-cultural cooperation and 
understanding. FIA's activities benefit all the communities in which 
its members reside, and for that, we are all grateful.

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