E20 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 21, 2004 HONORING THE CAROLINA HONORING MARIE O’BRIEN SEMINAR ON KHALISTAN HELD IN PANTHERS PUNJAB—STEP FORWARD FOR HON. GINNY BROWN-WAITE SIKH FREEDOM MOVEMENT HON. SUE WILKINS MYRICK OF FLORIDA OF NORTH CAROLINA HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NEW YORK Wednesday, January 21, 2004 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Ms. GINNY BROWN-WAITE of Florida. Mr. Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Speaker, I rise today to honor Marie O’Brien, Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, last month in honor and congratulate the . a resident of my Fifth Congressional District of Last Sunday they defeated the Philadelphia Punjab, a seminar was held on the topic of Florida and a woman who has become some- Khalistan. Given the oppression that Sikhs Eagles to become the 2003 National Football thing very few of us ever will. Mrs. O’Brien is Conference Champions. This is the first NFC have faced at the hands of the Indian govern- a centenarian and at 102 she is a shining ex- ment for attempting to secure their independ- title since they began in 1995, but it will not be ample of how to enjoy and appreciate life. their last. ence, this was a very courageous act. All of Mrs. O’Brien was born in Philadelphia and At the beginning of the season, no one out- those who organized the event and who par- went to school at St. Gabriel. Following side the Carolinas gave the Panthers any ticipated are to be commended for their cour- school, she worked as a telephone operator. chance of even going to the playoffs. How- age. Freedom is the birthright of every people. She describes her happiest moments as fam- The seminar was organized by former Mem- ever, the ‘‘Cardiac Cats’’ played hard every ily gatherings growing up and receiving the ber of Parliament Atinder Pal Singh. Speakers game and never gave up. As a result, the sacraments. Some of her favorite activities included Professor Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon, Panthers have defied the odds and will be today are reading and praying the rosary. who reportedly made an extremely strong ar- playing in Super Bowl XXXVIII. After 102 years, Mrs. O’Brien says she is gument for the Sikh Nation’s right to self-de- As a season ticket owner, and an avid fan, satisfied with her life and that it has been a termination. I want to express how much the Carolinas ap- pleasure. When asked what advice she’d give The Indian government claims that there is preciate the hard work of Panthers’ owner to young people she said, ‘‘Stay away from no support for Sikh independence, Mr. Speak- Jerry Richardson, its head coach John Fox, drugs and be kind.’’ She says the best thing er, but this seminar and other events show the assistant coaches, and Carolina’s wonder- about growing older is having time to relax otherwise. Perhaps this answers the obvious ful players. I also want to commend the Caro- and appreciate the gifts God has given her. question: If India is a democracy and if there lina fans who have embraced the team, and is no support for an independent Khalistan, have supported them through all the ups and Mr. Speaker, and my colleagues, I ask that you join me in honoring Marie O’Brien today. then why not simply hold a free and fair plebi- downs. scite on the issue, as democratic countries do, It has been a joy to watch the Panthers play I hope we all have the good fortune to live as long as she has. She is truly a great lady and and settle it once and for all? Wouldn’t that be this year, and I along with thousands of fans the fair and democratic way to take care of across the Carolinas want to wish them the someone with an appreciation for the impor- tance of kindness and kinship. this issue? best of luck in the Super Bowl. I hope that in America can support this just cause and we February I can again congratulate them on have a moral obligation to do so. We can stop f winning another title: our aid to India until all people there enjoy full Champions. TRIBUTE TO ROBERT LEWIS SOTO freedom and we can officially call on India to f hold a free and fair, democratic vote to deter- mine the political future of the Sikhs of HONORING SALEM BAPTIST HON. JOE BACA Khalistan and all the other minority nations CHURCH OF JENKINTOWN, PENN- OF CALIFORNIA seeking their freedom, such as predominantly SYLVANIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Christian Nagaland and predominantly Muslim Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Kashmir. HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL The Council of Khalistan issued a press re- Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep af- OF PENNSYLVANIA lease on the Khalistan seminar, which I would fection that I pay tribute to the life of Robert IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES like to put in the RECORD at this time to show Lewis Soto, beloved son of my dear colleague Wednesday, January 21, 2004 that the cause of freedom is universal and that California State Senator Nell Soto. Robert, af- it still has strong support in Punjab, Khalistan. fectionately called ‘‘Bud’’ by his friends and Mr. HOEFFEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to SEMINAR ON KHALISTAN HELD IN PUNJAB family, passed away last week at the age of recognize and honor the Salem Baptist INDEPENDENCE MOVEMENT IS ALIVE AND WELL Church of Jenkintown for its 120 years of wor- 52. He was a man of great honor, and I join IN PUNJAB, KHALISTAN ship and community development. today with family and friends in honoring his WASHINGTON, D.C., December 17, 2003— Founded in 1884, the Salem Baptist Church memory and remarkable life. Former Member of Parliament Atinder Pal emerged from its modest, singleroom origins Bud graduated from Pasadena Community Singh organized a seminar on Khalistan last and flourished into a thriving church commu- College where he was a classically trained month at Baba Makhan Shah Labana Hall, nity. Through the immense effort of its con- musician and soon developed a reputation as Sector 30, Chandigarh. Speakers included gregation and the esteemed leadership of its being one of the most skilled keyboard players Professor Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon and oth- in the area. Despite his avid love for music, he ers. Dr. Dhillon made a very strong argu- pastors, Salem has grown consistently in both ment for the right of the Sikh Nation to rule size and impact. Outgrowing each new build- took his immense talent into the business itself in a sovereign, independent Khalistan. ing in which it resided, Salem expanded its world. General Narinder Singh was invited, but un- presence in the community. Throughout its An award-winning construction executive, able to attend. This seminar shows that the history, Salem has welcomed into its ministries Bud was best known for his restoration efforts cause of Khalistan is alive and well in Pun- such esteemed guests as Martin Luther King, of the San Gabriel Valley and San Fernando jab, despite the claims of the Indian govern- Jr., Samuel Proctor, Rosa Parks, Jesse Jack- Valley Missions. He exhibited tremendous ment that there is no support for Khalistan son, and Pricilla Evans. passion, pride, and an immense dedication to and that only outside Sikhs are supporting independence. Today Salem includes the Church, a par- his work. He was a beloved part of his family ‘‘The outside Sikhs have an important role sonage, Section 8 housing facilities for low-in- and respected member of his community. His to play,’’ said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, come residents and the elderly, and the Rob- kind and passionate spirit was an incredible President of the Council of Khalistan. ‘‘They ert Johnson Smith Educational Center. In ad- resource and blessing to those who knew him. have exposed the human rights against the dition, there are plans to build a Family Life I join today with family and friends in paying Sikhs to the international community and Center and nursing home facility. From its in- our respects to a man who was a devoted and internationalized the cause of independence ception, the Salem Baptist Church has been supportive husband, father, and friend. He is for Khalistan,’’ he said. ‘‘They have also pre- served Sikh history in the Congressional committed to community development through survived by his wife Alice, their three children Record from 1984 to date, defeating the In- the faith and determination of its congregation Nellie, Sally, and Molly; his mother, Senator dian government’s attempts to alter it. How- and pastors. I congratulate the members of Nell Soto; his sister Anna; his brothers Phil Jr., ever, it is the Sikhs in Punjab, Khalistan the Salem Baptist Church on their 120th anni- Mike, Patrick, and Tom. He will be dearly who are keeping the cause alive and liber- versary. missed. ating Khalistan,’’ he said. ‘‘It is very good to

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