SCHAKOWSKY JOINS COLLEAGUES IN APPROVING RESOLUTION EXPRESSING SYMPATHY FOR VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE IN INDIA AND PROMISING U.S. SUPPORT SCHAKOWSKY IS ORIGINAL COSPONSOR OF H.CON.RES. 15

SCHAKOWSKY IS ORIGINAL COSPONSOR OF H.CON.RES. 15

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today joined her colleagues in approving a resolution expressing sympathy for the victims of the devastating earthquake in India.

H.Con.Res. 15 also expresses Congress' support for "continuing and substantially increasing the amount of disaster assistance being provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other relief agencies; and providing future economic assistance in order to help rebuild Gujarat." In addition, the resolution also calls on President Bush to encourage the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the international community to expedite their efforts to assist India.

Schakowsky, who is an original cosponsor of H.Con.Res.15, spoke today on the floor of House of Representatives in favor of passage of the resolution. She said, "On behalf of the vibrant Indo-American Community in my district, many of whom have relatives in Gujarat , I rise in strong support of this resolution. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this resolution, which expresses sympathy for the loss of life and Congress' commitment to help our ally India, the world largest democracy."

She added, "It is important that we work to get accurate information to our constituents so they can know what has happened to their loved ones." Last March, Schakowsky was one of eight members of Congress to join President Clinton on his official visit to India.

The co-chairs of the India Caucus, Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA) and Jim McDermott (D-WA), introduced the resolution. Schakowsky is a member of the caucus.