March 3, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E411 CONGRATULATING THE DILLARD rific acts of the past, make sure they do not I urge the Government of Pakistan to seek HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS’ BASKET- happen again, and make sure that we do not justice in this case and to give Bhatti a state BALL TEAM ON THEIR STATE have renewed war between Azerbaijan, Arme- funeral, reflective of the import of his life and CHAMPIONSHIP nia, and Nagorno-Karabakh. That is why I legacy. Similarly, I urge our own government would like to commemorate the victims of the to send a high-ranking delegation to attend the HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS Sumgait massacre. funeral and to carry Bhatti’s torch in continuing OF FLORIDA f to press for the repeal of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PERSONAL EXPLANATION I also submit an Associated Press story Thursday, March 3, 2011 which references the fact that Bhatti was Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING ‘‘aware of the danger he faced, saying in a rise today to honor the girls’ basketball team OF MASSACHUSETTS videotaped message that he had received of Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Flor- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES death threats from al-Qaida and the Taliban.’’ The video was recorded several months be- ida. Thursday, March 3, 2011 Led by Coach Marcia Pinder, whose 776– fore his ultimate assassination and can be 171 career record is top among all Florida Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, Feb- viewed at: http://www.guardian.co.ukworld/ basketball coaches, male or female, the Pan- ruary 18, 2011, had I voted, I would have 2011/mar/02/pakistan-minister-shot-dead- thers crowned a 22–7 season by winning the voted ‘‘no’’ on rollcall No. 93. islamabad. Florida state championship for the second Additionally, on February 16, 2011, it was Bhatti pointedly says he will continue to consecutive year. Under Coach Pinder’s tute- my intention to vote ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall No. 57. speak out for persecuted Christians and other lage, the Dillard girls have consistently been f religious minorities. In a chilling allusion to fu- ture events, he says, ‘‘I will die to defend their recognized for being among the best at their WE HAVE LOST A FRIEND sport, having won six titles overall. rights.’’ Indeed Bhatti’s convictions cost him his life. In this year’s title game, the Panthers led He must not have died in vain. most of the way and, with their key rebounds HON. FRANK R. WOLF ANOTHER MODERATE IN PAKISTAN IS and clutch free throws, the game, which went OF VIRGINIA ASSASSINATED to overtime, and the title ultimately belonged IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (By Fred Hiatt) to Dillard. Thursday, March 3, 2011 Shahbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated out- Mr. Speaker, I am very proud of the Lady side his home in Pakistan today, came to Panthers and Coach Pinder, who have once Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today be- cause of a tragic event—the March 2 assas- visit a few of us at The Post one month ago. again reached the pinnacle of success in their He was soft-spoken and matter-of-fact about sport, and I am glad that they represent my sination of Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Mi- the dangers he faced—and about his refusal, district. They are all fine sportswomen and nority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, a heroic man of almost his inability, to trim his sails to less- people of whom we can all be very proud. It faith whose courageous and outspoken lead- en those dangers. The risks he faced, as a is my distinguished honor to recognize their ership against his nation’s draconian blas- voice for tolerance in an increasingly intol- erant country, were risks that Pakistan achievements. phemy law made him a prime target of ex- tremist Islamist elements in his country. faced—and if he and like-minded figures f Bhatti was the only Christian member of the stopped speaking up, what future would the country have? 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAS- Pakistani cabinet. Bhatti was a Christian in an overwhelm- SACRE OF ARMENIAN CIVILIANS We have lost a friend and an ally and our ingly Muslim country, a minister in the gov- IN AZERBAIJAN prayers are with Bhatti’s family and those in ernment in charge of minority affairs, and Pakistan who mourn his loss and who stood most of all an unimaginably courageous HON. BRAD SHERMAN with him in his fight against injustice and intol- voice of moderation. He opposed the nation’s erance. Bhatti devoted his life to defending the anti-blasphemy law, which increasingly is OF CALIFORNIA most vulnerable—he is literally a modern day being used to silence and oppress. When an- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES other moderate leader, Punjab governor martyr. Thursday, March 3, 2011 Salman Taseer, was killed two months ago, Among those whose causes he championed his assassin frighteningly became a hero for Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I speak today were Asia Bibi, a young Christian mother of many in Pakistan. Bhatti was one of the few in solemn remembrance of a dark chapter in five, who was sentenced to death under Paki- public figures willing to forthrightly con- modern history. This past weekend marked stan’s blasphemy law. Only after international demn the murder. the 23rd anniversary of the massacre of Arme- intervention was her execution delayed. Her Now Bhatti, too, is gone. There will be in- vestigations, I suppose, into why his police nian civilians in Azerbaijan. On the evening of fate, however, remains unclear. guard was absent when gunmen surrounded February 27, 1988, a three-day rampage Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are often used his Toyota sedan this morning, despite calls against Armenian civilians living in Sumgait, in to victimize both religious minorities and Mus- from many (including Americans like Vir- Soviet Azerbaijan, began. lims. In fact, Punjab’s influential governor, ginia Republican Rep. Frank Wolf) for in- Armenian civilians were maimed, raped, Salman Taseer was shot and killed by his own creased security. There will be tributes and beaten, and burned alive at the hands of riot- bodyguard who reportedly told police, ‘‘that he mourning, but they will be muted. Hopefully ers. International media outlets reported that killed Mr. Taseer because of the governor’s there will be deep thinking inside the U.S. opposition to Pakistan’s blasphemy law.’’ government about what it can do to better Armenians were ‘‘hunted’’ down and killed in support the forces of moderation. their homes. With Bhatti’s life tragically cut short, a crit- On that subject, I remember two essential The calls for help for those innocent Arme- ical moderating voice in Pakistan has been messages from Bhatti’s visit. He said Ameri- nians were ignored by the local police, and the lost. And I fear others will be silenced if justice cans maintained too little contact with the victims’ fate was left to those who ruthlessly is not brought to bear in Pakistan. Bhatti part of Pakistani civil society that believes and senselessly ended their lives. spoke of the importance of these voices dur- in interfaith tolerance, that sees Islam as a The official figure from Soviet authorities, ing a recent Washington Post editorial board peaceful religion willing to live alongside others. Bhatti himself had organized a net- who had prohibited journalists from entering meeting. I submit for the RECORD a piece by work of such people, he told us, but U.S. offi- the area, was just over 30 people dead and Post editorial page editor, Fred Hiatt, who re- cials were too busy dealing with the govern- over 200 injured. However, many believe that called Bhatti’s message, ‘‘that millions of Paki- ment, army and intelligence agencies to in fact hundreds were murdered. stanis remain committed to a vision of a Mus- show support or even establish much con- Sadly, Sumgait was not the end to the trag- lim country living in peace with its neighbors tact. edies. Anti-Armenian pogroms followed in and with non-Muslims within its borders.’’ Hiatt His second message was that millions of Kirovabad on November 21, 1988 and in Baku continued, ‘‘As it became increasingly dan- Pakistanis remain committed to a vision of on January 13, 1990. During the Nagorno- gerous for such people to speak up, they were a Muslim country living in peace with its neighbors and with non-Muslims within its Karabakh War of 1988 to 1994, Armenian ci- becoming decreasingly visible. But they are borders. As it became increasingly dangerous vilian population centers were indiscriminately still there, Bhatti told us, and he urged Ameri- for such people to speak up, they were be- attacked. cans not to forsake or forget them.’’ coming decreasingly visible. But they are If we hope to stop future massacres, and This must be our clarion call in the days to still there, Bhatti told us, and he urged conflicts, we need to acknowledge those hor- come. Americans not to forsake or forget them.

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MILITANTS KILL CHRISTIAN MINISTER IN conspiracy to drive a wedge between Mus- Right Watch. ‘‘An urgent and meaningful PAKISTAN lims and Christians. policy shift on the appeasement of extrem- (By Nahal Toosi and Chris Brummitt) Bhatti, a soft-spoken minister who rose to ists that is supported by the military, the ju- prominence defending a Christian woman diciary and the political class needs to re- ISLAMABAD.—Militants gunned down the sentenced to death for blasphemy, often place the political cowardice and institu- only Christian in Pakistan’s government spoke of the threats against him from ex- tional myopia that encourages such contin- outside his widowed mother’s home Wednes- tremists. Very few Pakistani politicians ued appeasement despite its unrelenting day, the second assassination in two months were willing to talk about changing the blas- bloody consequences.’’ of a high-profile opponent of laws that im- phemy law because of the danger. Another prominent opponent of the blas- pose the death penalty for insulting Islam. ‘‘They (the Taliban) want to impose their phemy laws, ruling party member Sherry Shahbaz Bhatti was aware of the danger he radical philosophy in Pakistan. And whoever Rehman, recently dropped her bid to get faced, saying in a videotaped message that stands against their radical philosophy, they them changed. Rehman, who has said she he had received death threats from al-Qaida threaten them,’’ he said in the video mes- had to abide by party leaders’ decisions, and the Taliban. In it, the 42-year-old Roman sage, which was posted on the website of the faces death threats and has been living with Catholic said he was ‘‘ready to die’’ for the First Step Forum, a Finland-based group heavy security. country’s often persecuted Christian and that promotes religious harmony, rule of law other non-Muslim minorities. f and democracy. The slaying in Islamabad followed the kill- ‘‘These threats and these warnings cannot RECOGNIZING EMILY MCMILLAN ing of Salman Taseer, a liberal politician change my opinions and principles. I’m liv- who was gunned down in the capital by one AS THE 2012 ESCAMBIA COUNTY, ing for my community and suffering people,’’ of his guards. Both men had campaigned to FLORIDA TEACHER OF THE said Bhatti, who was an adviser to the group change blasphemy laws in Pakistan that im- YEAR and had asked that his message be released pose the death penalty for insulting Islam in the event of his death. and have been loudly defended by Islamist The slaying robbed Pakistani Christians of HON. JEFF MILLER political parties. their most prominent advocate. OF FLORIDA The Taseer slaying triggered fears the ‘‘We have been orphaned today!’’ wailed IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES country was buckling under the weight of ex- Rehman Masih, a Christian resident of tremism, especially since the government, Islamabad. ‘‘Now who will fight for our Thursday, March 3, 2011 fearful of militants and the political parties rights? Who will raise a voice for us? Who that champion their causes, did not loudly Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise will help us?’’ today to recognize Ms. Emily McMillan as the condemn the killing or those who publicly Christians are the largest religious minor- celebrated it. ity in Pakistan, whose population is 95 per- 2011 Escambia County, Florida Teacher of the Wednesday’s slaying will only reinforce cent Muslim. They have very little political Year. Ms. McMillan joined the Escambia those concerns and further undermine con- power and tend to work in lower-level jobs, County School District in January 2008. From fidence in the government, which appears such as street sweeping. day one she has inspired her students to paralyzed by political rivalries and unable to As Christians took to the streets Wednes- strive for excellence, and I am honored to rec- fix a stagnant economy or provide basic serv- day to protest in several cities, relatives and ognize her achievements. ices for the country’s 180 million mostly poor friends went to Bhatti’s home to pay their people. Ms. McMillan was identified as an excep- respects. ‘‘Tell the mullahs that the man tional candidate for the teaching profession The turmoil comes despite attempts by the who was the voice of the Christians is silent. Obama administration to support Pakistan, Where are they now?’’ Samuel David, one of years before she stepped into the classroom. which it sees as key to ending the war in the visitors, shouted to a television crew. In high school, Ms. McMillan began taking neighboring Afghanistan and defeating al- The assassination drew condemnation from dual enrollment courses at a local college. Her Qaida, whose leadership is believed to reside Christian and government leaders. dedication to achieving scholastic excellence in the mountainous northwestern regions. A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico during her high school career put her on track Pakistani government ministers usually Lombardi, called the slaying a ‘‘new episode to graduate from the University of West Flor- travel with police escorts, but Bhatti was of violence of terrible gravity,’’ saying it without such protection when he was killed ida in just two years. Ms. McMillan’s under- ‘‘demonstrates just how justified are the in- graduate studies were completed on an accel- as he and a driver left his mother’s home. sistent statements by the pope regarding vi- Bhatti, who was minister for religious mi- olence against Christians and religious free- erated time frame; however, during her time at norities, had been given police and para- dom.’’ UWF she received myriad awards and schol- military guards but had asked them not to Lombardi noted that Pope Benedict XVI arships, including the Florida Retired Edu- accompany him while he stayed with his had met with Bhatti in September. cators Association’s Scholarship for Teachers mother, said Wajid Durrani, a senior police President Barack Obama condemned the of Tomorrow. official. slaying, saying Bhatti ‘‘fought for and sac- Ms. McMillan arrived at Ferry Pass Elemen- A friend of the politician, Wasif Ali Khan, rificed his life for the universal values that tary School ready to teach; nonetheless, she said Bhatti was nervous about using guards Pakistanis, Americans and people around the after the Taseer killing and had requested a world hold dear’’—including rights to free also knew that even the best teachers always bulletproof car, but had not received one. speech and religious freedom. have room to improve and new methods to Bhatti had just pulled out of the driveway In Britain, leaders of the Anglican Church employ. She joined the Reading Leadership when three men opened fire, said Gulam expressed shock and sorrow and urged Paki- Team, which meets on a monthly basis to cre- Rahim, a witness. Two opened the door of stan’s government to do more to protect ate and implement reading goals for the entire the car and tried to pull Bhatti out, Rahim Christians. school. She now serves as the Reading Com- said, while a third fired a Kalashnikov rifle U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham mittee Chairwoman, meeting with teachers repeatedly into the dark-colored Toyota, Clinton said the attack was ‘‘not only on one from each of the seven grade levels at Ferry shattering the windows. man but on the values of tolerance and re- The gunmen then sped away in a white car, spect of all faiths and backgrounds.’’ Pass Elementary and Middle School to work said Rahim, who took shelter behind a tree. The blasphemy laws were originally on the implementation of the Reading Leader- Bhatti was hit with at least eight bullets framed by the Asian subcontinent’s British ship Team’s goals. She also works with the and was dead on arrival at hospital. colonial rulers but were toughened in the Media Specialist to develop innovative meth- In leaflets left at the scene, al-Qaida and 1980s during the military rule of Gen. Mo- ods to foster a love of reading. the Pakistani Taliban Movement in Punjab hammad Zia ul-Haq, who pushed a politi- While the overall goal of education remains province claimed responsibility. They cized, austere brand of Islam. the same, teachers today must be able to blamed the government for putting Bhatti, Human rights groups have long warned adapt to the changing needs of their students. an ‘‘infidel Christian,’’ in charge of an un- that the laws are vaguely worded and open specified committee, apparently in reference to abuse because people often use them to Ms. McMillan serves her students and, as a to his support for changing the blasphemy settle rivalries or persecute religious minori- result, she incorporates a variety of instruc- laws. ties. tional strategies to ensure that every student ‘‘With the blessing of Allah, the mujahe- Right-wing Islamist parties, looking for an meets their specific learning needs. Her sedu- deen will send each of you to hell,’’ said the issue to rally their supporters, have cam- lous dedication to her students facilitates note, which did not name any other targets. paigned against any change to the laws, ac- learning and creates an educational environ- Government officials and political party cusing those who seek to amend them of ment where students are given the time and workers condemned the killing, but made no blasphemy—and creating an environment reference to the blasphemy law controversy. that led to the latest killings. support to ensure that they meet their goals. Muslim clerics contacted by The Associated ‘‘Bhatti’s murder is the bitter fruit of ap- Ms. McMillan realizes that parents are fun- Press or interviewed on Pakistani TV either peasement of extremist and militant groups damental to the educational success of their offered a tepid condemnation or claimed the both prior to and after the killing of Punjab children. She creates lines of communication assassination was part of an American-led Governor Salman Taseer,’’ said Human between herself and parents by sending home

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