[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16318]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING DR. KRISHNA REDDY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 18, 2005

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Krishna M. 
Reddy and the 9th annual Gala Banquet, hosted by the Indian American 
Friendship Council happening on Tuesday, July 19th. I can think of no 
more auspicious day then the same day as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh 
visits the U.S. Congress.
  Since I was co-chair of the House India Caucus, I have worked quite 
closely with Dr. Reddy and IAFC. The Indian American Friendship Council 
boasts a strong reputation for its eminent role in informing U.S. 
policy makers about several aspects of surrounding U.S.-Indian 
relations. It is accordingly a privilege to join them in this 
celebration.
  From dining in Little India on 74th Street in Queens, New York, to my 
ties to the Friendship Council, I have made it a point to pursue an 
agenda in my tenure as Congressman that markedly addresses issues 
relating to Indian Americans and the Indian subcontinent. My district, 
consisting of Queens and the Bronx in the state of New York, boasts 
55,000 people of South Asian descent, the second most of any community 
in the nation. The links I have to this community have served to 
enhance my resolve to improve relations between the U.S. and India.
  As founder and current president of the Friendship Council, Dr. 
Krishna Reddy has been instrumental in promoting a strong agenda the 
Friendship Council. The Council helped rebuild the state of Gujarat 
following a disastrous earthquake in 2001, supported the global war on 
terror, and continues to assist the U.S. in the post-9/11 world. I 
commend the Friendship Council for their resolve in not only 
strengthening bilateral relations but also protecting the interests of 
the Indian-American community, advocating for global democracy, and 
educating fellow Members of Congress.
  President Bush stated recently that relations between our two nations 
have never been so close as they are today. Organizations such as the 
Indian American Friendship Council have greatly contributed to this 
status. From the groundbreaking Next Steps in Strategic Partnership to 
the recent India-U.S. Defense Agreement to the opening of Indian 
economy to U.S. investments, our two nations share many common 
interests in today's global arena and have proven to be valuable allies 
to each other. I hope that we all can, continue to work together to 
further improve affairs of both India and the Indian-American 
community.
  I would like to conclude by again congratulate Dr. Reddy and the 
members of the Friendship Council for organizing the 9th Annual Gala 
Banquet. I look forward to our continued cooperation.

                          ____________________