Sherman Leads House Effort to Invite PM Modi to Address Congress
Joint letter has over 35 Congressional Signatories and Growing
Sherman Leads House Effort to Invite PM Modi to Address Congress
Joint letter has over 35 Congressional Signatories and Growing
Washington, D.C. – Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA), a senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and an active member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, is spearheading an effort along with Rep. Ted Poe and Rep. Eni Faleomavaega to request that Congressional leadership invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress during the Prime Minister's expected to visit the United States. The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Washington DC and meet with President Obama in late September.
An invitation to address a Joint Session of Congress is viewed as the highest honor the Congress can bestow on a foreign head of state.
"I am pleased that many more Members have joined the effort to invite Prime Minister Modi to a Joint Session of Congress," said Rep. Sherman. "The United States and India have a special relationship based on shared democratic values. This is an excellent opportunity to build on this partnership."
The text of the letter to the Congressional leadership is below. Thirty-six members have joined the effort so far. The full list of signers is as follows: Madeleine Z. Bordallo, Mo Brooks, John Campbell, Tony Cardenas, Judy Chu, Gerald Connolly, Jim Costa, Peter DeFazio, Ted Deutch, Anna Eshoo, Eni Faleomavaega, Tulsi Gabbard, John Garamendi, Alan Grayson, Gene Green, Al Green, Michael Grimm, Denny Heck, Bill Johnson, Joseph P. Kennedy III, Ron Kind, Mike Michaud, Frank Pallone, Ted Poe, Pete Olson, Ed Pastor, Ed Perlmutter, David Price, Mike Quigley, Dana Rohrabacher, Bobby L. Rush, Loretta Sanchez, Brad Sherman, Albio Sires, Jackie Speier, and Maxine Waters.
In each of the last three decades, a Prime Minister of India has addressed a Joint Session of Congress. The letter continues to be circulated throughout the House of Representatives for signatories.
-30-
Full Text of Letter:
RE: Invite Indian Prime Minister Modi to Address Joint Session in Late September 2014
Dear Mr. Speaker, Madam Minority Leader, Mr. Majority Leader, and Mr. Minority Leader,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Washington in late September 2014. Given the importance of our relationship with India, we ask you to invite Prime Minister Modi to address a Joint Session of Congress.
As you know, India recently held the largest democratic exercise in history; about 550 million people voted in free and fair elections.
Since recognizing India's independence in 1947, the United States and India's relationship has steadily grown. The United States and India share many core values, including religious pluralism, individual freedom, the rule of law, and electoral democracy.
We have an opportunity to build on the U.S-India strategic partnership to the benefit of both our nations. India is a growing economic power in a strategically important region of the world. New Delhi plays a critical role in regional peace and security.
In each of the last three decades, a Prime Minister of India has addressed a Joint Session of Congress, and the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Modi will allow us to continue that tradition.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress