One
Example of Lobbying Efforts by Indian Americans
Increasingly, in many Congressional Districts, Indian Americans have started forming grass roots groups or organizations to be in regular contact with their House Representatives. One such newly formed group of Indian Americans, in Charlotte, met with Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) on August 28th, 2002.
A member of the Group, Nonit Nanda, has sent me a brief report on what was accomplished during this first "very successful" meeting with their House Representative. Eighteen members of the local Indian American community participated. It was attended by Rep Sue Myrick and her Chief of Staff, Hal Weatherman.
One of the group's goals, Nanda said, was to have Rep Myrick, who is an influential voice in the Republican party, not only join but commit to take a leading role within the India Caucus. That goal was accomplished.
The object in conveying this report (see below) is two-fold:
1) to encourage other political activists' groups functioning at the grass roots level to likewise share their experience and accomplishments in interacting with their own lawmakers from which fellow-Indian American activists throughout the United States can benefit ; and
2) to encourage more and more Indian
Americans to set up similar grass roots political activists' groups in various
other Congressional Districts where they do not now exist.
After reading this message, including the report which follows, please relay
this to all your friends and relations living in the United States.
GIST OF REPORT ON THE FIRST MEETING
OF NC INDIAN AMERICAN GROUP WITH THEIR CONGRESSWOMAN, SUE MYRICK
The following is a gist of what transpired:
* Gobind Bhojwani opened the meeting by welcoming Sue and laid out the broad
purpose of the first of a series of meetings: Increasing the profile and influence of the Indian American community on public policy issues.
* Nonit Nanda then elaborated on IAFPE (Indian American Forum for Political Education) as a platform for communication & education on issues related to India and to fostering democracies in South Asia.
* Amit Shah described the grass roots level efforts linking local peace & health-care efforts with national and global efforts.
* Gautam Desai described the actions underway to link & leverage a network of national organizations to drive issues of concern to Indians Americans.
* Lal Vishin touched on the broad context of Indo US relations. He then thanked Sue for joining the India Caucus and urged her to actively collaborate with the Republican co-chairman Ed Royce and help drive specific agenda items within the Caucus.
* A number of the attendees expressed
concern over continued cross-border terrorism directed against India by the
current military dictatorship in Pakistan. A compelling point was made to Sue
--that the long term US national interest would be best served by supporting
India and by encouraging democratic reforms in Pakistan while collaborating with
them on the current war against terrorism.
FOLLOW-UP SUGGESTIONS THAT EMERGED
FOR ACTION:
* Sue suggested extensive networking and broader community participation (Lions, Rotary, International House, etc.) to raise the Indian American community's profile and thus gain a stronger voice that can influence public policy.
* She strongly recommended that the local Indian American community connect with Peggy Wesp and consider a sister city initiative with a city in India.
* She agreed to report back on a regular basis any updates on Congressional/legislative initiatives of interest to the Indian American community.
* Gobind outlined a series of meetings/briefings that are being planned with the local print, radio and TV media to get the Indian American message out more effectively.
* Amit invited Sue to join the Peace Walk in Lancaster in September. She agreed to check her schedule and respond.
* Sue invited the community to voice
their opinion through every networking opportunity and through every medium
possible, including e-mails to her and her Chief of Staff Hal Weatherman.
Her parting message was -- You are a
highly accomplished minority, but you are too silent -- "squeaky wheel gets
the grease".