[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 10336-10337] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]IN MEMORY OF GOPAL RAJU ______ HON. JOE WILSON of south carolina in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, on April 10, Mr. Gopal Raju, a pioneer of Indian American Journalism, leader in his community, and founder of the publication India Abroad, News India-Times, and the Indian American Center for Political Awareness (IACPA), passed away at the age of 80. Mr. Raju spent a lifetime supporting the Indian American community and promoting a stronger relationship between India and the United States. In particular, the Washington Leadership Program that was formed under the IACPA has allowed nearly two hundred Indian Americans to participate as interns on Capitol Hill--some of whom have even served in the office of the Second Congressional District of South Carolina. Additional achievements include launching the Indian American Foundation (IAF)--which raised millions of dollars for causes in India--and the India Abroad News Service that for over 20 years has been a vital channel for information sharing between the United States and India. Most recently, Mr. Raju was the editor and publisher of News India-Times, Gujarat Times, and Desi Talk. A man of passion and committed to the needs of his community and his people, Mr. Raju received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor which is given to immigrants for their contributions to the United States, the 2000 Asia Society's Leadership Award, the 2006 Taraknath Das Foundation award, and in 2007 he was recognized by India with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award. [[Page 10337]] A memorial service for Mr. Gopal Raju was held on May 17th at the Maharaja Hall in Royal Albert's Palace in Fords, New Jersey. It was organized by India Abroad and the South Asian Journalists Association. I was honored to have met this incredible individual. I know his humility and selfless contribution to the lives of the millions his programs and publications touched will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Raju's family and the entire Indian American community. ____________________