Tom Lantos: “I am delighted to speak in support of this resolution which welcomes Prime Minister Vajpayee of India to the United…”

“I am delighted to speak in support of this resolution which welcomes Prime Minister Vajpayee of India to the United States and expresses the deep appreciation of the American people for the strong and immediate support India has provided us at the time of the events of September 11. Many of our colleagues do not realize, Mr. Speaker, that India also lost over 200 of its own citizens in the dreadful attack on the World Trade Center. As a matter of fact, while this terrible terrorist act was a first for us, I think it is important for all of us to understand that some of our democratic friends and allies have been subjected to terrorist attacks for many years. Our democratic friend, India, and our democratic friend, the State of Israel, have been subjected to terrorism for over half a century. Following our tragic event on September 11, on October 7 terrorists attacked the Parliament House in Kashmir claiming the lives of scores of innocent Indian citizens. Mr. Speaker, it is important to realize that today we have the pleasure of welcoming to our Congress the Prime Minister of the largest democracy on the face of this planet.”