[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16326-16327]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am pleased the Indian Prime Minister spoke 
today before a joint session. His remarks were thoughtful. He spoke of 
the great promise and values our two nations share--first of all, 
democracy.
  I also welcome to the Senate today several Indian Americans from 
Nevada, including my friend, Dr. Chanderaj, and several of my friends 
from the Sikh community in northern Nevada. I have gotten to know them. 
They did a number of events for me this past year. They are very 
interested in government. I am so impressed with them and their 
community, located mainly in Carson City, NV. They traveled throughout 
the night so they could be here today for this historic event.
  The contributions of the Indian American community to Nevada and to 
this country are significant. They have made such a positive impact in 
communities across the Nation.
  What we have going on in southern Nevada is exemplary. We have an 
Asian-American community there. There is no distinction between 
Pakistanis and Indians. They meet together; they join together. Unless 
you are familiar with the two communities, you could not tell them 
apart. They work together. Our largest and most famous Indian 
restaurant in Las Vegas is run by a Pakistani.
  So, Mr. President, I am very happy they have made such a positive 
impact in Nevada and communities all across this great Nation. That is 
why I am so pleased the Prime Minister could be here today: to join our 
two great democracies, to recognize the common

[[Page 16327]]

bonds between us, and to celebrate the promising future that lies 
before us.
  I would be remiss if I did not recognize one of the leaders of the 
Indian community, someone who has been involved in government and 
politics. He helps Republicans; he helps Democrats. He is very 
interested in government. He is a physician by the name of Prabhu, who 
is a friend to so many of us. I acknowledge him today as being someone 
who has done so much to bring the communities together.
  Thank you very much, Mr. President.

                          ____________________