Washington: The arrival of the Indian American community in mainstream America is having an impact on the US Presidential campaign, with leading Democratic candidates reaching out to solicit the community's support for their bid for the highest office in the nation.

Recognising the necessity of a candid dialogue between the community and the Democratic Presidential aspirants, the US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is organising the first ever "Democratic Presidential candidate Town Hall meeting" in Washington, DC on May 20, 2003.

For the first time in the history of the Indian American community, leading Democratic Presidential candidates will come together especially to share their vision with Indian Americans and openly court the community's votes and support.

The May 20th Town Hall meeting gives the Indian American community a chance to evaluate each Democratic candidate at a closer level. Senator Lieberman will be the luncheon speaker at this Town Hall event. Invitations have been extended to all Democratic Presidential candidates.

USINPAC, building on its core competency of outreach on behalf of the community, is bringing this outstanding opportunity to the community to discuss their issues of concern, and gauge the candidates.

USINPAC is extending an open invitation to interested Indian Americans nationwide to attend this landmark event, and attendees are confirming from almost all major cities – San Francisco, Dallas, Boston, Cleveland, Seattle, Miami, New York, amongst others – making it a truly national and representative audience. Those interested in attending the event can write to info@usinpac.com.

The success of USINPAC in building relationships, as well as resolving issues, on behalf of the community is drawing an increasing number of concerned and well-meaning community leaders, who are working to ensure that community, and individual, issues are addressed by our elected leaders.

USINPAC is continuing to build upon its Capitol Hill outreach with senior leaders, and in the recent past has held substantive talks with Senator Richard Lugar, Senator Charles Grassley, Senator Orrin Hatch, Rep Joe Wilson, Rep Joe Crowley, Rep Robert Wexler, and Rep Tom Davis, among others.