[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDIAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION (NFIA)

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2005

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise on 
the House floor this evening to highlight the National Federation of 
Indian American Associations (NFIA). NFIA is an umbrella organization 
for over 200 associations, all of which represent the 2.2 million 
Americans of Indian origin.
  Since the establishment of NFIA in 1980, the organization has served 
the Indian American community at the local, State and national level, 
by protecting the basic civil rights of Indian Americans and by 
promoting their rich cultural heritage. NFIA is a secular organization 
that accepts membership from all Indian Americans, irrespective of 
religious, regional, ethnic, professional or political affiliation. In 
addition to representing and encouraging political participation by 
Indian Americans, NFIA is also active in promoting strong relations 
between the United States and India.
  NFIA is very active in the area of raising funds for natural 
disasters, both in the U.S. and India, and has funded many charitable 
projects. NFIA holds biennial conventions in various parts of the 
country to discuss, deliberate, and debate the contemporary issues 
facing the community. Lastly, NFIA conducts annual receptions on 
Capitol Hill in an effort to strengthen long-lasting relationships with 
Members of the House and Senate and to advance its agenda on behalf of 
Indian Americans and U.S.-India relations.
  In closing Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor the National Federation 
of Indian American Associations (NFIA) for its dedicated service.

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