Sunday, February 19 2006 18:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Houston: The US Congress has honoured noted Indian American physician Sudhir Parikh, a receipient of this year's 'Pravasiya Bharatiya Samman' Award, with a speical mention in its records.

Congressmen Frank Pallone Jr and Joe Crowley inserted a statement into the Congressional Record honouring Parikh, the New Jersey-based allergist for winning the annual award presented by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas or India Day held last month in Hyderabad.

Highlighting numerous important accomplishments made by Parikh, who migrated to the US in late 1970s, the statement issued on Wednesday said, "Dr Parikh is an asset to the Indian American community, and his efforts are deserving of this great award. Sudhir fully embodies the commitment and values the NRI award presents."

Parikh has made a significant difference in US-India relations, himself being a former President of the nationally recognized Association of American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin as well as former President of the Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), it said.

Using his position in these prominent organizations, he has laboured to promote Indian -American issues in Congress and to raise awareness within the Indian community, it added.

Parikh has contributed more than $2 million for cancer research, tsunami relief and rehabilitation of earthquake victims in Gujarat that occurred in 2001, the statement said.