August 2009 Newsletter

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Upcoming Events

Sept 8 – IARC hosts a conference call with members nationwide. Guest speakers include Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum; Ashok Chandra, candidate for New York city council; Jaye Rao, candidate for Charlotte city council; and Tim Nank, candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates.  This call is free for members, so please join online prior to October 8 to receive the call-in information.

October 26 – The IARC participates in a non partisan discussion with IALI on Capitol Hill from 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Past Events

August 3 – The IARC hosted its inaugural monthly conference call, which featured: Nikki Randhawa Haley, a member of the S.C. House of Representatives and gubernatorial candidate; Harry Walia, co-chair of the IARC and candidate for Venice city council in Florida; Virginia Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell; as well as grassroots reports from Indiana and California.

August 9 – The National Asian Indian Republican Association (NAIRA) hosted their eighth annual banquet featuring guest speaker former Attorney General John Ashcroft. Nosh Tarachand, NAIRA Chairman and President, and Hitesh Patel, Co-Chairman and Vice President, organized this well-attended, successful event, which was broadcast on TV Asia.

August 12 – This was Cost of Government Day (COGD), the day of the calendar year on which the average American worker has earned enough gross income to pay off their share of the spending and regulatory burdens imposed by government at the federal, state, and local levels.  This means the average American worker had to toil 224 days out of the year just to meet all costs imposed by government.  COGD falls 26 days later in 2009 than it did in 2008, when it fell on July 16. Members of the IARC attended a press conference at the National Press Club hosted by several organizations discussing COGD, including: Americans for Tax Reform, The Heritage Foundation, Center for Fiscal Accountability, American Shareholders Association, and Americans for Prosperity.

Jindal Corner

Governor Bobby Jindal continued his active tour of Louisiana, discussing programs that have created 32,000 new jobs in the state.  He expressed disappointment at federal officials for the out-of-control spending in Washington. He also honored hundreds of veterans for their service to America in the Armed Forces.  As a principled fiscal conservative, Governor Jindal continues to display the leadership and value system we believe in, embracing free market principles which allow the private sector to flourish, while reining in government expansion and spending.

Fact of the Month

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the White House revised the estimated federal deficit from $7 trillion over the next ten years to $9 trillion.  This would result in the national debt comprising 68% of the nation’s GDP, an increase from 2001, when it made up only 33% of GDP.

Quotes of the Month

Speaking of lobbyists, President Barack Obama said, “I don’t take a dime of their money, and when I am president, they won’t find a job in my White House.”

“This is a very good time to be a Democratic lobbyist . . . .” Heather Podesta, a registered lobbyist.

When asked about proposed tax raises on the wealthiest Americans in the health care reform bill, U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-NE), said he’s “not hearing a lot” of support for the tax in Nebraska and that people there didn’t like the tax “because they are looking someday to get there themselves,” Nelson told reporters on July 13. “It’s the American way.”

IARC Board Member Suhail Khan attends the Third United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Istanbul in July

author: Suhail Khan, Esq.
IARC Board Member

“No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.”
Ronald Reagan

Last month, in my capacity as a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Global Engagement (www.globalenage.org), I attended the Third United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Forum in Istanbul, Turkey. The Alliance Forum convenes an important network of world leaders, heads of international organizations, civil society groups, youth, corporations, foundations, and media to forge partnerships to build meaningful interaction between diverse communities and strengthen trust and reconciliation across cultures.  Topics of discussion at this July meeting included President Obama’s speech in Cairo and the Mideast peace process, the implications of the recent elections in Iran, Morocco, and Lebanon, and the role of faith in government and its role in strengthening international security. For more information about the Alliance of Civilizations, please visit www.unaoc.org.

The meeting was a fascinating and real-world discussion of many of the international challenges we face today, and importantly, with people who have the capacity to affect change, ideally for the better.  My focus was to discuss the best ways to expand freedom of religion and protect religious minorities while at the same time enhancing respect for diverse cultures and religious traditions.  In doing so, it’s my contention that an expansion of religious freedom can in fact enhance a given nation’s national security.

India’s Independence Day Celebrated Across the U.S.

IARC Statement on India’s Independence Day

Washington, D.C. – The Indian American Republican Council issued the following statement honoring the 62nd Anniversary of India’s Independence Day.

“Today marks an achievement secured sixty-two years ago by thousands of freedom fighters that many in the international community thought would never happen.  Led by Mahatma Gandhi, and martyrs such as Sardar Bhagat Singh and Rani Lakshmibai, India secured its freedom from British colonial rule.  We should never forget the thousands of men and women who died fighting for freedom.  Nor will we forget the members of this generation, such as Army Sergeant Uday Singh, who make the ultimate sacrifice fighting for freedom against tyranny.

“Today as we celebrate India’s Independence and freedom, we remember the long course of history and the men and women who made it possible for India to celebrate this anniversary.”

Statement from Angela Sailor, Director of Coalitions – Republican National Committee

“Today, August 15, the nation of India celebrates its Independence Day.  This celebration marks the historical moment in 1947 when India became free from British rule and could declare itself an Independent nation. The Indian community has had a tremendous impact on the U.S. over the years with developments in the fields of science and mathematics. The RNC Coalitions Department is proud to honor India’s Independence Day because of the positive influences this community has had on our country.”

Best,
Angela Sailor, Director of Coalitions

Celebration of Indian freedom

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Published: August 17, 2009

Members of the Shah-Berry Dance Academy stepped and twirled to a beat yesterday at the Cultural Center of India in Chester during a commemoration of India’s independence from Britain 62 years ago. Janahavi Giribhattanav (left) from the Shah-Berry academy performed the Kathak Salaam, a classical Indian dance, and Bina Shah (right) celebrated during the children’s parade. In addition to the performances, there was food and an appearance by Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor. For more images from yesterday’s India celebration at the Cultural Center of India in Chester, go to TimesDispatch.com keyword: slideshow

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/INDI17_20090816-231601/286527/