[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 12283-12284]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

  (Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Indian 
Independence Day and the 11th Annual New Jersey India Day Parade, 
organized by the Indian Business Association.
  On August 15, 1947, India won its freedom from the British Empire, 
raising the Indian national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi.
  On August 9 of this year, New Jersey's vibrant Indian American 
community will celebrate that milestone with

[[Page 12284]]

one of the largest events in the world, drawing more than 35,000 
attendees.
  Oak Tree Road, between Edison and Iselin, will be filled with dozens 
of floats, marching bands, musicians, and dignitaries, concluding with 
a cultural program that will offer everyone present the opportunity to 
see the beautiful traditions of India in addition to modern culture.
  New Jersey is home to one of the largest Asian Indian populations in 
the United States, behind California and New York in number, but second 
to none as a percent of our overall population. They are a thriving 
group that contributes to our State's economic growth and strength in 
diversity.
  I wish everyone well as they prepare for the August festivities and 
send early Indian Independence Day greetings to all those celebrating 
in my district.

                          ____________________