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Indians Plan Fundraisers in LA for 2 Congressmen

A P Kamath in Washington

Congressmen Sharrod Brown (Ohio) and David Wu (Oregon), both Democrats, who are also members of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives, will be feted at two fundraisers in Los Angeles, organised by the Indian American Friendship Council.

"We have known Brown for many years, but Wu is a freshman," said Dr Krishna Reddy, president of the 10-year-old council. "While the community leaders will get to know Brown better, many will be knowing Wu for the first time. This is a wonderful opportunity for the community in Los Angeles to meet two wonderful friends of India."

The council, which has chapters in most American states, recently held a political summit and gala banquet in Washington attended by about 50 members of Congress. This was reportedly the largest congressional attendance for an Indian event.

It was addressed by keynote speakers Richard Gephardt, the House minority leader, and Benjamin Gilman, the chairman of the House Committee for International Relations.

Among the congressional members honoured were senators Christopher J Dodd and Joe Liberman, Democrats, and Trent Lott, Republican; representatives Gary Ackerman and Frank Pallone Jr, Democrats, and Mary Bono, Republican.

The gala was also attended by Naresh Chandra, India's ambassador to the United States, and by Z Shoval, Israel's ambassador in Washington.

India's commitment to an open society and liberalised economy and its restrained response to the Pakistan-backed incursion into Kargil came for warm praise at the banquet.

The Brown fundraiser is scheduled for August 5 and the Wu fundraiser for August 7. The events are expected to be held at Dr Reddy's residence.

Dr Reddy, a dentist with his own business, feels that while a lot of lobbying and fund-raising is done in New York and Washington, community leaders and organisations in other states should not lag behind.

The Friendship Council started a New York chapter a few weeks ago. Several congressmen who attended the event voiced their support for India's foreign policy and applauded when Pakistan was denounced by some of their colleagues as a rogue nation that espoused international terrorism.

"The Washington gala made history," Dr Reddy added. "The Friendship Council should not be content. It should forge ahead with more engagements with the elected officials at the national and state level."

The organisation also seeks to foster grassroots involvement in politics, including participating in voter registration and volunteering on election days. It will also be engaged in getting the second generation Indian Americans to participate in its activities.

For more information about the Council, write to 7910 Norwalk Blvd, Whittier, California, 90606; (562) 699-0343; in Washington, Watergate South (Unit 914), 700 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington DC 20037.

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