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“COMMEMORATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1135 on May 25, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMEMORATION OF ASIAN PACIFIC-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
______
HON. MARTIN T. MEEHAN
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 25, 1995
Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Asian Pacific-American Heritage Month, I think we should take a moment to consider the need for the United States to engage in a more extensive dialogue with India, which will be the world's most populous democratic nation by the year 2050.
As a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and India Americans, I want to help promote greater understanding between the United States and India, particularly in economic, political and cultural areas.
Our shared geopolitical interests dictate that we make a concerted effort to improve Indo-American relations. In the last several years, India has embarked on a sweeping reform program that opened the way for economic growth and increased foreign trade and investment. However, we cannot ignore the difficulty involved in the ongoing economic transformation, and progress must continue if bilateral trade is to grow.
About 1 million Indian-Americans live in the United States. Many Americans assume that Indian-Americans, because they are often well-
educated, do not face the same problems as other minorities. They are wrong. In many parts of this country, Indian-Americans are victims of hate crimes and racial harassment. They are the victims of discrimination in business and education. Members of Congress cannot ignore these issues.
The Glass Ceiling Commission reports that minorities plateau at lower levels in the workforce than women. Educational institutions and the Department of Labor need to aggressively enforce laws barring discriminatory practices in recruitment and advancement, and no one should be denied an education or job because of their race or ethnic origin.
The United States has always been considered a melting pot of peoples, religions and ethnic groups. We in Congress cannot allow people who come to this country to be victimized or subjected to bigotry.
I urge my colleagues in Congress to pay more attention to concerns of India and Indian-Americans. I can think of no more appropriate time to reflect on our shared interests than during the observance of Asian Pacific-American Month.
