Congressional Hearings/Resolutions

Commending India on its celebration of Republic Day

H. Con. Res. 15
108th Congress, 1st Section

January 27, 2003

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. DAVIS of Florida, Mr. WEINER, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. MCNULTY, Mrs. MYRICK, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. KIRK, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. FROST, Mr. MATHESON, Mr. ROYCE, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. KNOLLENBERG, Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. HOLT, Ms. NORTON, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. ROGERS of Michigan, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. LOBIONDO, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia, and Ms. SCHAKOWSKY) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Commending India on its celebration of Republic Day.

Whereas the Republic of India is the world´s largest democracy;

Whereas on January 26, 1950, India adopted its Constitution, which formalized India as a parliamentary democracy;

Whereas the celebration of India´s Republic Day on January 26th is the second most important national holiday after Independence Day;

Whereas the framers of India´s Constitution were greatly influenced by the American Founding Fathers James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Adams;

Whereas among the rights and freedoms provided to the people of India under its Constitution is universal suffrage for all men and women over the age of eighteen;

Whereas India´s Constitution adopted the American ideals of equality for all citizens, regardless of faith, gender, or ethnicity;

Whereas the basic freedoms we cherish in America such as the freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom of religion are also recognized in India;

Whereas Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi is recognized around the world as the father of India´s nonviolent struggle for independence;

Whereas people of many faiths, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians, were united in securing India´s freedom from colonial rule and have all served in various capacities in high-ranking government positions;

Whereas the Republic of India has faithfully adhered to the principles of democracy by continuing to hold elections on a regular basis on the local, regional, and national levels;

Whereas the people of the United States and the Republic of India have a common bond of shared values and a strong commitment to democratic principles; and

Whereas President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee are elected leaders of the world´s two largest democracies and are actively cultivating strong ties between the United States and India: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress-

(1) commends India on its celebration of Republic Day; and

(2) reiterates its support for continued strong relations between the United States and India.

H Con Res 15

Sponsor: Wilson, J. (R-SC)

Official Title: A concurrent resolution commending India on its celebration of Republic Day.

Introduced: Jan. 27, 2003

Committees: House International Relations

Cosponsors: 32 cosponsors (Dems: 24 Reps: 8 Inds: 0)

Jan. 27, 2003 - Read twice and referred to: Committee on International Relations. (Congressional Record p. H171