Crowley, Wilson elected co-chairs of Caucus
By Vasantha Arora

New co-chairs head one of the largest Caucuses in the U.S. Congress, with over 140 members

WASHINGTON: Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) was last week elected Democratic co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, while Rep. Joe Wilson, (R-S.C.) was unanimously elected Republican co-chair of the Caucus, replacing former co-chair Ed Royce (R-C.A.).

Crowley and Wilson now head one of the largest Caucuses in the United States Congress, with over 140 members in the 107th Congress.

Soon after being chosen, Congressman Crowley said: “I am extremely pleased that I have been elected to co-chair the Congressional India Caucus. The seventh district of New York contains 40,000 Indian Americans, the second highest concentration of any district in the United States. It is of utmost importance that closer ties are forged between the largest democracy and the oldest one. This Caucus helps to facilitate more Indian-American connectedness and involvement in the United States Congress. I look forward to working hard with the members of the India Caucus and the Indian Americans in my district to promote trade, technology and labor.”

Rep. Wilson also represents a large Indian-American population in his home state of South Carolina.

Upon being elected, he told reporters: “I am honored my Republican colleagues have elected me as co-chair of the India Caucus for the 108th Congress.

“My appreciation for the people of India began when my father spent time there as a member of the Flying Tigers during World War II, where he gained a great admiration for the people and their culture. As a Colonel in the Army National Guard and member of the House Armed Services Committee, I want to see the U.S. develop a deeper military relationship with the people of India, as they are a crucial ally in the War on Terrorism,” Rep. Wilson added.

Praising outgoing co-chairman Royce for providing invaluable leadership in strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and India, Rep. Wilson said: “I look forward to following in his footsteps, and working with co-chairman Joseph Crowley in bipartisan efforts to reach out to the Indian-American community.”

Royce said: “For the past two years, I have had the honor serving as the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. Congressman Wilson’s deep roots in the

Indian- American community will serve the Caucus well. I look forward to working with Joe to continue transforming the U.S.-India relationship in every way --- politically, economically, and strategically.”

Congressman Crowley represents Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, where the United States’ second-largest Indian-American community is based. He traveled to India in January 2002 with the Confederation of Indian Industry for an economic forum meeting and to meet with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Congressman Crowley is a member of the influential Committee on International Relations and its Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.

The India Caucus has been in existence for ten years, during which time there has been a marked rise in congressional interest in India. There has been ongoing accelerated cooperation between the U.S. and India during this period.

There is great potential for U.S.-India trade. India is one of the fastest growing emerging markets in the world, presenting opportunities for the export of U.S. goods and services, especially in the infrastructure field. American companies play an important role in India’s booming high technology sector, say statements issued from Wilson and Crowley’s offices.