[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 21]
[House]
[Pages 28017-28020]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             WELCOMING INDIAN PRIME MINISTER MANMOHAN SINGH

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 890) welcoming the Prime Minister of the 
Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United 
States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 890

       Whereas the Republic of India achieved its independence 
     from the British Empire on August 15, 1947, and has since 
     maintained a democratic system of government;
       Whereas from April 16 to May 13, India conducted the 
     world's largest democratic election, which returned Prime 
     Minister Singh to power;

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       Whereas India's relationship with the United States has 
     deepened in past years and encompasses cooperation on matters 
     relating to international security, world trade, technology, 
     science, and health;
       Whereas the relationship between the United States and 
     India has great potential to promote stability, democracy, 
     prosperity, and peace throughout the world and enhance the 
     ability of both countries to work together to provide global 
     leadership in areas of mutual concern and interest;
       Whereas the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Dr. 
     Manmohan Singh, has helped shape India's economic policies to 
     permit the expansion of a market economy, which has led to 
     greater economic prosperity for India and the growth of a 
     middle class;
       Whereas Americans of Indian origin have made diverse and 
     numerous contributions to the United States; and
       Whereas Prime Minister Singh has accepted an invitation by 
     the United States to make an official visit to Washington, 
     DC, and is the honoree of President Barack Obama's first 
     State Dinner: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends the maturating of the relationship between the 
     United States and the Republic of India, exemplified by the 
     current official visit of the Prime Minister of India, His 
     Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh;
       (2) looks forward to continuing progress in the 
     relationship between the United States and India; and
       (3) welcomes Prime Minister Singh to the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Serrano). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) and the gentlewoman from Florida 
(Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and to include extraneous material on the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution and of the 
U.S.-India relationship. Next week, the Prime Minister of India, 
Manmohan Singh, will come to Washington for a State visit, and I am 
pleased that with this resolution, the House will offer him its own 
welcome.
  Prime Minister Singh has worked hard to improve our already strong 
ties and has courageously already taken political risks for our 
bilateral relationship that few others would venture. But when the 
Prime Minister put his government and his career on the line, it wasn't 
for us, though his victory has certainly proved to be to our advantage. 
No, Prime Minister Singh took his chances for India, for its future and 
for the fulfillment of that country's enormous potential.
  And our partnership is built on this foundation: that India's rise as 
a great power in Asia and as a global player advances critical American 
interests ranging from the promotion of democracy and democratic 
values, to improving stability and security throughout all parts of 
Asia.
  We do not fear a growing India for one simple reason: India's values 
are our values. India is a real democracy with real institutions that 
are subordinate to the rule of law. India, though ready to defend 
itself, doesn't start wars or harbor terrorists. India, though as 
fastidious as any state about protecting its sovereignty, can be relied 
upon to keep its word once committed to a treaty or an international 
agreement. India struggles to preserve its tradition of religious, 
cultural, and ethnic pluralism. India safeguards sensitive 
technologies. India fights terrorism.
  We do not see ourselves when we look at India, though this Nation has 
benefited immensely from Indians who have become Americans. India is 
vastly larger in population, vastly older in history, and vastly more 
complex culturally with some 2,000 ethnicities and 29 major languages.
  We do see similarities. We do see a nation committed to lifting 
itself by its own means. We do see a nation open to the world, and we 
do see a nation committed to the same vision of peace and security that 
has guided our own Nation.
  There are, as to be expected, differences between us. Some of them--
and I would note particularly the issue of Iran--are very serious. But 
as nations committed to a relationship of equals, a relationship of 
mutual benefit and mutual respect, I believe we can work through our 
differences and achieve enormous progress in many areas of our mutual 
concern.
  I am delighted that Prime Minister Singh, a man who is one in a 
billion, is returning to the United States, and I am proud of the House 
today in offering him such a well-deserved and warm welcome.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of House Resolution 890, a 
measure welcoming the Prime Minister of India, His Excellency Dr. 
Manmohan Singh, to the United States. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of 
this timely resolution which recognizes the forthcoming visit by 
India's distinguished and universally accepted and respected Prime 
Minister to the United States.
  This will be the first official visit by a foreign head of government 
during this administration. And, Mr. Speaker, that makes it wholly 
appropriate that Prime Minister Singh and India be accorded this 
wonderful honor.
  Without doubt, the high status accorded to his visit reflects India's 
growing global role and its increasingly comprehensive relationship 
with our country, the United States. Implicitly, however, the pomp and 
the circumstance associated with his visit also reflect the 
extraordinary contribution of Indian Americans to solidify our people-
to-people relationship and all of the dynamism that they have brought 
to our diverse and vibrant society.
  In any regard, the Congress fully shares with the executive branch a 
deep commitment to strengthening our partnership with India and to 
expand our cooperation on a wide range of bilateral and global issues. 
These opportunities for mutual cooperation range from global security 
to economic growth, trade promotion, human development, and the 
expansion of our two-knowledge societies, and also nuclear 
nonproliferation, and protection of the environment.
  Mr. Speaker, it is altogether fitting that we should honor the 
Indian-American relations as strong as they are and ever closer every 
day and the visit of Prime Minister Singh by adopting this thoughtful 
resolution.
  I urge its support, and I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield 2\1/2\ minutes to 
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. McDermott).
  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I want to raise my voice in strong 
support for H. Res. 890, a resolution introduced to welcome Prime 
Minister Manmohan Singh, to the United States. As co-Chair of the 
caucus on Indian and Indian Americans, I extend our hand in friendship 
to our close friend and strategic ally in South Central Asia. I've 
known Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since he was the finance minister 
in 1990 who really brought about the Indian miracle.
  The President has chosen to recognize the close ties between our 
nations by honoring India with its first official State dinner at the 
White House next week, and I look forward to participating.
  In the 21st century, the world's oldest and largest democracies have 
much to share and learn from each other. Over the years, I visited 
India 22 times, but perhaps the most memorable visit came this year as 
a part of the congressional delegation with John Lewis.
  We were there to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic 
visit to India by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his wife. At the end 
of the visit, Dr. King said, ``The choice today is no longer between 
violence and nonviolence; it is either nonviolence or nonexistence.'' 
That truth is self-evident today.

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  Both India and the United States must deepen our ties--even if we 
respect different cultures--if we are to make this a safer and better 
world. And we are up to the challenge. The Prime Minister has made 
significant economic progress for the people of India and that has 
resulted in new business opportunities for American companies and U.S. 
jobs. In Seattle, the heart of my congressional district, Boeing builds 
airplanes for a major customer, Air India. That is just one of the 
examples of the business ties that bind us together.
  We also cooperate in science, technology, trade, and education. All 
of this draws us together in countless ways.
  Recently, I joined Her Excellency, Meera Shankar, the Ambassador of 
India, for the unveiling of a statue of Gandhi at the King County 
Public Library. And last weekend in Seattle, we celebrated the festival 
of Diwali.
  In the 21st century, the Internet has removed the borders that 
separated nations, but it will take people to unite us into one world. 
That is what makes a State visit like this so important. Leaders 
working in good faith on behalf of the people can bridge any divide no 
matter how wide and deep. As Nelson Mandela in South Africa once said, 
``It always seems impossible until it's done.''
  This resolution is a down payment on the future, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I would like to reserve, Mr. Speaker.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it's now my pleasure to yield to the 
distinguished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the majority leader 
of the House, 1 elastic minute.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank my friend, Mr. Ackerman, for yielding, and I thank 
the ranking member, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, for bringing this resolution to 
the floor.
  Next week, as has been said, President Obama will be hosting the 
first State dinner of his administration, and the guest of honor, 
appropriately, will be the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr. 
Manmohan Singh.
  Prime Minister Singh visits America at a time when the relationship 
between our two nations is as strong as it has ever been. In India we 
see a vital partner on issues of national security to world trade. We 
see a nation that confronts many of the threats that challenge America, 
from terrorism to global warming. We see an emerging economic power 
with a growing middle class. And though our nations are separated by 
distance, language, and culture, we recognize in one another the 
democratic values we share; and of course we have a language in common 
as well, as well as common values, despite its great size and 
diversity.
  And for those who may not know, India will soon be not only the 
largest democracy, but the most populous nation in the world.
  India has remained a democracy since its independence more than 60 
years ago. And this year, Prime Minister Singh was returned to power in 
the world's largest democratic election. In fact, India made him the 
first Prime Minister since Nehru to return to office after completing a 
full term, a truly remarkable accomplishment.
  All of us should be proud, and I know we are, to host the leader of 
one of America's most vital allies. On behalf of the House of 
Representatives, Speaker Pelosi, and all of us on both sides of the 
aisle, and Mr. Boehner, I am pleased to have this opportunity to 
welcome Prime Minister Singh to the United States and rise in strong 
support of this resolution.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the sponsor of 
this measure, Mr. McDermott, and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Royce) for providing us with an opportunity to recognize this ever-
growing tie in the relationship between our democratic nations and to 
welcome, in an official way, Prime Minister Singh.
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 
890, which welcomes the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His 
Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh, to the United States, and commends the 
maturation of the U.S.-India relationship.
  That relationship has made remarkable strides in the past 2 decades. 
And one of the critical elements helping launch our improved ties was 
the series of economic reforms India initiated in 1991, reforms 
developed and implemented under the leadership of then Finance 
Minister, Dr. Singh.
  With his rise to Prime Minister in 2004, Dr. Singh provided the 
leadership required for his country to strike the landmark U.S.-India 
Civil Nuclear Cooperation Initiative with us, a deal that facilitates 
nuclear cooperation and offers the bilateral relationship a major 
strategic opportunity.
  After his party's victory in this year's general elections, Dr. Singh 
became the first full-term Indian Prime Minister to be returned to 
power since 1962. The particularly strong electoral mandate he received 
in the recent election is testament to his accomplishment. It also 
offers our two countries a chance to move our partnership to an even 
higher level, better positioning us to advance solutions to the key 
regional and global challenges we confront, from pandemic disease, to 
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change, and 
poverty.
  Reflecting India's emergence as a major international player and the 
importance of the U.S.-India relationship, the Prime Minister's visit 
here next week will be the first official state visit by any foreign 
dignitary to the Obama White House.
  The Prime Minister should know that the United States Congress values 
his leadership and our bilateral partnership just as much as the new 
Administration, and so I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. 
Res. 890.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. I want 
to thank Mr. McDermott, my cochairman of the India Caucus.
  Indian Prime Minister Singh's visit to Washington for an official 
visit is an important signal of deepening relations between the United 
States and India. His visit sends a signal to the Indian people that 
their country is a valued partner. This resolution recognizes this 
relationship--its past successes, and hopes for its future.
  Significantly, Prime Minister Singh's visit will come almost to the 
day of the horrific terrorist attacks on Mumbai carried out by Islamist 
militants. On that day 163 people were cut down in a bloody rampage. 
Our thoughts will be with Indian people on that anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, over the past decade, relations between the U.S. and 
India have undergone a renaissance. Prime Minister Singh has done much 
to bring the United States and India together, but perhaps nothing more 
consequential than signing the landmark civil nuclear cooperation 
agreement between the two countries.
  Indian officials have told me about their ambitious plans to expand 
nuclear power. India needs additional electricity to fuel its growing 
economy and nuclear energy is a clean source. With this deal, the 
Indian nuclear industry is overcoming the international restrictions 
that have curtailed it since 1974, to reach its full potential. India 
will still rely on other energy sources, but it is smart policy for any 
country to diversify. We in the U.S. should learn that lesson. We are 
expecting U.S. companies to be part of the Indian nuclear industry. We 
should give them more opportunities at home too.
  Official visits should lead to concrete policy improvements. If this 
relationship is to move ahead, progress must be made on trade. Right 
now, the signs aren't good. Both countries need to get serious on 
advancing trade, or we'll both lose.
  The U.S.-India relationship has made great strides, but progress 
can't be taken for granted. We have many common interests: economics, 
counter-terrorism, energy. While President Obama was in China this 
week, India is another very important country. The India Caucus will be 
watching next week's visit in hopes that specific advances will be 
made.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. I urge unanimous support for this measure, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ACKERMAN. I thank the gentlelady for her support and endorsement 
of the resolution and her wonderful comments; and we yield back the 
balance of our time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Ackerman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 890.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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