Rep. McDermott (D-WA)

May 17 –– In a week when there was surprise in India over the Congress Party victory, followed by confusion over who would become the next Prime Minister, one can hardly fault

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) for overreaching when he congratulated Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi on the U.S. House Floor. “Mr. Speaker, I rise to offer congratulations and best wishes to Sonia Gandhi, India’s next Prime Minister,” he said, only to have her reject it back in New Delhi.

But the rest of his words apply regardless, “India, the word’s largest democracy, reminds us that people can change the course of their country without violence. In these troubled times, India has given us another valuable lesson.

It is not the first time the world has looked to India and learned,” Rep. McDermott said, adding, “The voices of a billion Indians have spoken, and India today stands tall in the international community. We look forward to working toward peace with the Indian people and their new Prime Minister.”