Janice Schakowsky: “I am so proud to join my colleagues, the Distinguished Chairman and the ranking Democratic member of the International…”

“I am so proud to join my colleagues, the Distinguished Chairman and the ranking Democratic member of the International Relations Committee in welcoming to the United States the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Atal Behari Vajpayee. On behalf of Illinois' Indian American community and the people of Illinois in the 9th Congressional District, I want to express a most sincere welcome and best wishes for an enjoyable and meaningful visit to Prime Minister Vajpayee. As my colleagues and the Prime Minister are aware, the Chicago Metropolitan area boasts one of our country's most diverse populations, including a thriving Indian-American community of over 100,000 that is growing every year. As a member of Congress who values the relationship between our two nations and recognizes the significance of Prime Minister Vajpayee's visit, I believe this is an opportunity to strengthen relations between India and our country even further. The Prime Minister's visit also gives the Indian American community a chance to showcase its contributions to American society and to the U.S.-India dialogue. I was fortunate to be one of eight members of Congress privileged to join President Clinton on his historic trip to India earlier this year. That was such an incredible and valuable experience for me, one which I learned from and which has helped me to understand the rich history and cultural traditions of a great number of my constituents who are of Indian descent.…”