WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Members of the Illinois Congressional delegation extended an invitation
to Indian Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee to visit Chicago during his scheduled
trip to the United States in September. The letter was initiated
by U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and signed by U.S. Senator
Dick Durbin (D-IL) and seventeen other Illinois House members.
In
the letter, the members wrote, “As you are aware, the Chicago Metropolitan
area boasts one of our country’s most diverse populations, including a
thriving Indian-American community of 100,000 and growing every year.”
“As
members of Congress who value the relationship between our two nations
and recognize the significance of your visit, we believe this is an opportunity
to strengthen relations between India and our state even further. Your
visit to our city would give Chicago’s Indian American community a chance
to showcase its contributions to American society,” they added.
Schakowsky,
whose district includes a large population of Indian – Americans, was one
of only eight members of Congress to have joined President Clinton on his
historic trip to India earlier this year.
Below
is a copy of the letter.
June 30, 2000
The
Honorable A.B. Vajpayee
Prime
Minister of India
Prime
Minister’s Office
New
Delhi, India
Dear
Prime Minister Vajpayee:
On
behalf of Chicago’s Indian American community and the people of Illinois,
we are writing to invite you to visit our city as part of your upcoming
trip to the United States.
As
you are aware, the Chicago Metropolitan area boasts one of our country’s
most diverse populations, including a thriving Indian-American community
of 100,000 and growing every year. The Indian American community
contributes greatly to Chicago’s cultural diversity, economic growth, and
business development, in addition to fostering good will and understanding
between our people.
As
members of Congress who value the relationship between our two nations
and recognize the significance of your visit, we believe this is an opportunity
to strengthen relations between India and our state even further. Your
visit to our city would give Chicago’s Indian American community a chance
to showcase its contributions to American society.
While
we understand that your scheduled visit to the United States is being finalized
and that there is a great demand for your time, we sincerely hope that
you will consider our invitation to visit the city of Chicago.
Sincerely,
U.S.
Representative Jan Schakowsky
U.S.
Senator Dick Durbin
U.S.
Representative Bobby Rush
U.S.
Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr.
U.S.
Representative William Lipinski
U.S.
Representative Luis Gutierrez
U.S.
Representative Rod Blagojevich
U.S.
Representative Henry Hyde
U.S.
Representative Danny Davis
U.S.
Representative John Porter
U.S.
Representative Jerry Weller
U.S.
Representative Jerry Costello
U.S.
Representative Judy Biggert
U.S.
Representative Thomas Ewing
U.S.
Representative Donald Manzullo
U.S.
Representative Lane Evans
U.S.
Representative Ray LaHood
U.S.
Representative David Phelps
U.S.
Representative John Shimkus |
