Senator George Allen’s Remarks at IARC Conference

Monday, September 18th, 2006 Press Releases by IARC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Mr. Radha Krishnan – (202) 347-1223
IARC Executive Director
info@iarcnational.org

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Indian American Republican Council released the prepared remarks of Senator George Allen, made recently during his speech at the IARC’s 2nd annual Capitol Hill conference:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Patriots All, Namaste!”
“Folks, it’s invigorating to be here with all of you at the IARC Conference with so many great leaders and longtime friends from the Indian American community. Your Indian American Council is doing an outstanding job of persuading and recruiting members of one of our nation’s most prosperous communities onto our Republican team. I’ve always said that anybody who pays taxes, works for a living, or cares about their family should be on our Republican team – regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender.
“As an elected official, I’ve always characterized myself as a common sense Jeffersonian conservative – which means I trust free people and free enterprise more than a meddlesome, burdensome government. I don’t like limits or restrictions on people or enterprise. President Reagan best explained my philosophy when he said, in his 1985 State of the Union Address, ‘every dollar the government does not take from us, every decision the government does not make for us will make our economy stronger, our lives more abundant, and our future more free.’
“I believe that we must unite, motivate, and inspire Virginians for 3 missions for Virginia and America’s future. One, protecting and securing our freedom; two, making sure that America is a land of opportunity for all; and three, preserving our foundational values.
“Our 1st mission is protecting our freedom. Ladies and Gentlemen, let there be no mistake: We are in a global war against vile, hate-filled terrorists! We must unite the American people – and our allies around the world – behind a strategic plan for success against those who would try to kill any freedom-loving man, woman, or child. These terrorists have not only hit the United States, but also Spain, Great Britain, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India. In this war on terror, one of our key, indispensable allies is India.
“Last November, Susan and I traveled to India as part of my round-the-world ‘Security, Innovation, and Freedom’ mission. I wanted to see India for myself, and I want to listen and learn more about that nation’s challenges, growth, and success. India has become the world’s largest democracy and the U.S. must build a strong relationship with India in the future, based on our shared principles. My visit to New Delhi, Bangalore, and the great state of Karnataka gave me the opportunity to personally explore ways to continue to strengthen that relationship in security, education, and innovation.
“In New Delhi I met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Ahluwalia. Prime Minister Singh stressed to me the importance of U.S.-India energy cooperation to his government’s vision for India’s future.
“On the issue of U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation, these discussions on my trip to India are one of the key reasons I am a strong supporter and advocate of the historic U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. This Agreement is a significant foreign policy achievement. This strategic partnership between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy is possible because we share the same values: democracy; rule of law; respect for human rights; and religious tolerance. The people of India know what it’s like to be threatened by terrorism in the name of religious extremism. Tragically, just this past July, nearly 200 innocent Indian civilians were killed in the Mumbai terrorist attack.
“This agreement brings India into the global nuclear mainstream and will significantly increase transparency and oversight of its civilian nuclear program. We must also look at the economic and energy benefits of this cooperation. India has tremendous energy needs that will only increase as it grows and increasingly prospers. The U.S.-India civilian nuclear agreement strengthens energy security for the U.S. and India, by promoting the development of stable and efficient use of advanced nuclear power.
“I believe that most of my Senate colleagues understand that the U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Initiative is central to our growing alliance with India, and I am working with Secretary Rice and others to move it through the Senate.
“With that in mind, we should be looking further into the 21st Century and see the importance of Asia and the Western Pacific, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and New Zealand. It is clear to me, that India is the strategic partner we want at our side going forward. When examined in its totality, it is clear that we must finalize the U.S.-India Nuclear Cooperation Agreement. It is in our security interest, in our economic interest, and it strengthens a marriage that will be vital for generations to come.
“Our 2nd mission is making sure that America is a land of opportunity for all. This will require a renewed spirit of national competitiveness to keep America the World Capital of Innovation. What can our government do to spur innovation and re-charge our competitiveness? The answer is: less taxation, less regulation, less litigation, more energy creativity and independence, more personal health care options, and much better education, particularly in the vitally important fields of science, technology, and engineering.
“While I was in New Delhi, I participated in an Indo-American Chamber Luncheon and Press Conference and visited the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) New Delhi campus and met with members of the faculty. India’s education sector is impressive. Since India embraced the free market system in the early 1990s, parents have acquired a reason to invest in education and they want their children to have an opportunity to improve their standard of living. In 2005 India produced 300,000 engineering graduates, over 4 times as many as the United States.
“I want America to be a magnet for the best minds in the world – and for that to happen, we must allow our companies to compete and succeed and attract these highly skilled individuals. This is why I am a co-sponsor of the ‘Securing Knowledge, Innovation and Leadership (SKIL)’ bill that expands the number of visas allowed for high-tech workers educated in the United States who are employed as part of the H1-B visa program.
“Currently, the number of visas for high-tech workers allowed under the H1-B program is capped at 65,000. This bill increases that number and creates a market based cap whereby unused visas can be carried forward to the next year. This bill, by making sure that highly skilled workers, and research and development stays here, will be great for the competitiveness of our country. In the long-term, we need more U.S. citizens interested in these vitally important fields.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, you understand these missions. I appreciate the opportunity to join you today, and I look forward to working with you in the future on how we can strengthen the U.S.-India relationship, and ensure that every American – regardless of their race, ethnicity, or gender – is limited only by their hard work, imagination, and ingenuity.
“In the choices and challenges ahead, count on me as a teammate; count on me to stand right by your side. Because of you, America, India, and indeed the entire world have a great future. Keep winning and keep standing strong for freedom! Thank you!”
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The IARC is a 501(c)(4) organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is the only national organization representing Indian American Republicans. Please visit our website at http://www.iarcnational.org