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Wilson Joins India Caucus

February 4, 2002

Cong. Joe Wilson, R-SC, becomes the first SC congressman to join the India Caucus

U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) has officially joined the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans and is the first Member of Congress from South Carolina to join the India Caucus. The India Caucus was formed in 1993 and originally had only eight Members of Congress. Today, 124 Members of Congress make up the India Caucus, and it is one of the largest such bipartisan organizations in the U.S. House of Representatives.Congressman Wilson has been a long time supporter of the Indian-American community. As an attorney, he incorporated in 1985 the South Asian Indian Business Association of South Carolina. Before being elected to Congress, Congressman Wilson was the first South Carolina State Senator to have an Indian-American on his staff. Congressman Wilson currently has Indian-American attorney Dino Teppara on his staff who will serve as the Congressman's contact person for the India Caucus and South Asian foreign policy advisor. Congressman Wilson is one of the first Republican Congressmen to have a full time Indian-American on his staff."The Indian-American community in South Carolina has become vital to our state's economic success with its strong leadership in the hospitality, small business, and medical professions," said Congressman Wilson. Like President George W. Bush, Congressman Wilson believes strongly in democracy and the rule of law. "India is the world's largest democracy. India is a multi-cultural, diverse country, with an ancient history and a faithful adherence to democratic traditions. India has an independent judiciary and a free press. The citizens of America and India cherish the same values and independent freedoms. India is a very important ally for America. It is a stable nation not just in South Asia, but in Asia as well. India was one of the first countries to offer support to us in our war on terrorism, and India itself has been a victim of terrorism for many years. India has an emerging economy, and there are many opportunities for increasing bilateral trade between our two great nations. I support President's Bush's initiatives to create a strategic partnership between the U.S. and India, and I look forward to working with the Indian-American community in order to further better ties between the world's two largest democracies."###