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“TRIBUTE TO SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR RAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E131-E132 on Feb. 1, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO SIDDHARTHA SHANKAR RAY
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HON. THOMAS J. MANTON
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, January 31, 1996
Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Siddhartha Shankar Ray for serving with distinction as India's Ambassador to the United States for the past 3\1/2\ years. During his tenure, relations between the United States and India have reached a new plateau of strength, friendship, and understanding. The United States has become India's largest investor, and India has been named by the Department of Commerce as one of the key emerging markets for United States business for this decade and the next century.
There are many reasons for this dramatic improvement in relations between our two countries. However, I believe it is clear that no one has made a greater contribution or played a more central role in this transformation than Siddhartha Shankar Ray. He has worked tirelessly with the Congress and the executive branch as well as State and local officials around the country to help ensure that our Government fully understands India's needs and concerns. He has been a bridge builder between the United States business and investment community and the Indian private and public sector. He has been a sought after speaker and commentator in the academic community here, along with numerous important think tanks and private foundations. Finally, Ambassador Ray has been an ambassador ``par excellence'' in the Indian-American community. He has travelled to almost every State and city with an Indian-American population reminding Americans of Indian descent and of the important economic reforms unfolding on the subcontinent, while urging Indian-Americans to be active participants in the transformation of the Indian economy.
Mr. Speaker, Ambassador Ray has greatly impressed many of us in the Congress with his artful diplomacy, his keen logic and his persuasive skills. He has taken the thorniest issues in the Indo-United States relationship and presented them to decision makers in the United States in a manner which has been both convincing and reassuring. It is obvious to anyone who has worked with him during the past several years that Ambassador Ray's skills as an imminent India barrister have served India well during his term as Ambassador.
Of course, Ambassador Ray has not achieved all of these successes by himself. He possesses another invaluable asset: his lovely wife, Maya, who also is a noted barrister and former elected official. Maya Ray has been a gracious host, trusted advisor and articulate spokesperson. Together, they have proven to be a superb team.
Mr. Speaker, later this month, Siddhartha Shankar Ray will leave his position as Ambassador to the United States to return to Calcutta, his home city, to stand for election to the Lokh Sabha, India's House of Parliament. While it would be improper for any Member of this body on either side of the aisle to endorse a candidate for office in India, I am certain all of my colleagues agree that Ambassador Ray will approach the coming campaign with the same level of energy, dedication and articulate persuasion that were the hallmark of his years in Washington.
Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in wishing Siddhartha Shankar Ray and Maya every good wish in the months and years to come. We invite them to visit us in Washington often to witness the fruits of Ambassador Ray's labor as the Indo-United States relationship continues to grow and prosper.
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