July 14, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1369 Karen is obviously a phenomenal teacher as range of human rights. And it will allow self- (non-riparian) 0.20 MAF, Punjab (riparian) this is not the only award that she has re- determination for these sovereign states. 4.22 MAF and Jammu and Kashmir (riparian) ceived. Last year she was awarded the Most Until that happens, Mr. Speaker, we should 0.65 MAF. Under clause IV of this agreement, not provide any aid to India. And we should Punjab and Haryana withdrew their respec- Inspirational Teacher Award and a ten thou- tive suits from the Supreme Court. But the sand dollar donation from the Basalt commu- take a stand for self-determination, which is controversy rages on. The issue has become nity where she used to teach from 1993 to the cornerstone of democracy, by supporting a emotive. 2003. Most recently, she qualified for a free and fair plebiscite on independence in Referring to the broad clauses of the pro- weeklong seminar at Stanford University with Punjab, Khalistan, in Kashmir, in predomi- posed Bill, Capt Amarinder Singh main- Pulitzer-Prize winning historian David Ken- nantly Christian Nagaland, and everywhere tained that riparian and basin principles nedy. She was one of only thirty teachers in- that people seek their freedom from Indian were ignored all along and allocation of the vited. rule. The assertion of sovereignty by the Pun- Ravi-Beas waters had always been affected Mr. Speaker, Karen Green has devoted her jab Legislative Assembly is a good first step. by ‘‘ad hoc decisions and agreements, dic- tated by prevalent circumstances’’. Here was career to expanding the minds of Colorado They should act to claim their sovereignty by a typical case involving ‘‘emotive’’ issue of students and her colleagues. She is a dedi- severing their ties to India. We should take a impending transfer of water from ‘‘deficit’’ cated teacher who demonstrates a strong pas- stand by letting them know that when they do, Ravi-Beas basin to the ‘‘surplus’’ Yamuna sion for learning and I am honored to recog- we will be there with them. basin. nize her accomplishments before this distin- Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned before, I would Never any reliable and scientific study of guished body of Congress and this nation like to insert the Tribune article into the hydrological, ecological and sociological im- today. Congratulations on your award Karen, RECORD. pact of such large scale trans-basin diversion from Punjab to Haryana and Rajasthan had and thank you for your many years of service. [From the Tribune (Chandigarh), July 13, been undertaken. Besides this transfer, di- 2004] f version was even contrary to the National PUNJAB ANNULS ALL WATER PACTS: CONG, Water Policy guidelines, he added. PUNJAB GOVERNMENT CANCELS AKALIS JOIN HANDS ON ISSUE DEAL THAT ALLOWED DIVER- Capt Amarinder Singh pointed out, ‘‘Non- (By P.P.S. Gill) riparian and non-basin states of Haryana and SION OF WATER TO OTHER CHANDIGARH, July 12.—A special session of Rajasthan are not only not entitled to any STATES; LEGISLATURE ASSERTS the Punjab Vidhan Sabha today unani- Ravi-Beas waters, even their current alloca- SOVEREIGNTY mously passed the Punjab Termination of tion and utilisation is totally dispropor- Agreements Bill, 2004, thereby ‘‘knocking tionate to the areas alleged to be falling in HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS down’’ the very basis on which the Supreme the Indus basin. Therefore, Punjab, as a good Court had passed its order on construction of neighbour, has accepted such utilisations by OF NEW YORK SYL—Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal on June 4, Haryana and Rajasthan as ‘usages by suffer- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES last. This Bill annuls the December 31, 1981, ance’ but not as a matter of any recognition Tuesday, July 13, 2004 agreement between Punjab, Haryana and of their rights’’. Rajasthan signed by the three Chief Min- He supported this hypothesis, when he Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, the Legislative isters in the presence of the late Ms Indira posed the question, ‘‘Does Punjab have sur- Assembly of Punjab recently annulled a long- Gandhi and also all other agreements relat- plus water and do the claimants of our water standing agreement that allowed the diversion ing to the water of the rivers, Ravi and Beas. a legal right to it?’’ Then, he paused for ef- of water from Punjab to other states. This, the Bill says, was done in ‘‘public in- fect, ‘‘The answer to this question is a re- According to the Tribune of Chandigarh, terest’’. The annulment has come after 23 sounding ‘no’’’, and went on to give the fol- whose article I will be inserting in the RECORD long years with two staunch political rivals, lowing picture: at the end of my remarks, the Legislative As- the Congress and the Akalis, joining hands All three rivers, the Ravi, the Beas and the Sutlej, flow through the present Punjab and sembly asserted the sovereignty of Punjab in to protect the state’s riparian rights. Imme- diately after the Bill was passed, the Chief none through either Haryana or Rajasthan. doing so. The newspaper reports that the bill Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, accom- No part of territories of these states fall passed by the Legislative Assembly says that panied by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr within the basin areas of the Ravi and the ‘‘as a sovereign authority [Punjab] considered Parkash Singh Badal, PPCC president, Mr Beas, although, according to un-substan- it its duty to uphold the Constitution and the H.S. Hanspal, Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Mr tiated report of the Irrigation Commission, laws and to protect the interests of its inhab- Partap Singh Bajwa and a team of legal ex- only 9,939 sq. kms. within Haryana fall in itants.’’ perts went to Raj Bhavan to meet the Gov- Indus basin, against 50,305 sq. kms. of Pun- Apparently, all parties supported this meas- ernor, Justice O.P. Verma (retd.), to request jab. Again, the present utilisation by Haryana ure. We congratulate them on taking this step him to give his assent to the Bill, as the dead-line for compliance with the Supreme was about 5.95 MAF, about 4.33 MAF from forward to protect the interests of the people Court order was July 15. The combined dele- Sutlej and about 1.62 MAF from the Ravi- of Punjab. I urge them to continue claiming, gation spent an hour with the Governor. The Beas water, through the existing systems. promoting, and establishing the sovereignty of Raj Bhavan sources said, ‘‘The Bill is being Also out of 17.17 MAF of ‘‘surplus’’ Ravi-Beas Punjab. examined.’’ water, only 4.22 MAF was allocated to Pun- Mr. Speaker, we know that the people of Capt Amarinder Singh told TNS that he jab, a riparian state, against higher quan- Punjab have been severely oppressed by the had not discussed the Bill with Ms Sonia tities to Haryana and Rajasthan. From the tyrannical Indian government. Over a quarter Gandhi. ‘‘Why involve her? When I go to total surplus availability of 11.98 MAF of the of a million Sikhs have been killed since 1984, Delhi, I shall brief her’’. Beas water, Punjab has been allocated 2.64 Presenting the Bill to the House, Capt. MAF. according to the Punjab State Magistracy. The Amarinder Singh made an emotive speech Therefore, justifying the annulling of the Movement Against State Repression reports giving facts, figures and background to the December 31, 1981, agreement and all other that 52,268 have been taken as political pris- entire issue of sharing of river waters and agreements relating to the Ravi and the oners, held without charge or trial, some as steps taken in the recent past to protect and Beas, the Bill seeks to present the fact that long as 20 years. According to the Punjab safeguard the interests of Punjab, particu- ground realities have since undergone a sea Human Rights Commission, about 50,000 larly the farmers and save nine lakh acres change from that date and Punjab settle- Sikhs have simply been made to disappear by going dry and barren, which would affect the ment of July 24, 1985, under the Rajiv- being arrested, tortured, killed in police cus- livelihood of 1.5 million families. Longowal Agreement. Therefore, this had The Bill says that Punjab was proud of its made the implementation of that 1981 agree- tody, declared ‘‘unidentified bodies,’’ and se- position in the Indian union, felt equal con- ment ‘‘onerous and injurious’’ to the public cretly cremated, without their remains even cern for its neighbours and as a sovereign au- interest. being given back to their families. thority also considered it its duty to uphold The availability of the Ravi-Beas water, Similar repression has been visited on the constitution and the laws and to protect 1717 MAF, as on December 31, 1981, has been Christians, Muslims, and other minorities. Yet the interests of its inhabitants. reduced to 14.37 MAF, as per the flow series India continues to say that it is the world’s Under the 1981 agreement, flow series were of 1981–2002. Haryana has been given 4.65 MA largest democracy. changed from 1921–45 to 1921–60, which had under the Yamuna agreement of May 12, If India is truly a democracy, it will allow the the result of increasing the availability of 1994, which will be further augmented by the Ravi-Beas waters from 15.85 MAF to 17.17 Sarda-Yamuna link. In the meanwhile, irri- will of the people to be carried out in regards MAF. The allocation of water made to the gation requirements have increased in Pun- to the diversion of water. It will allow the peo- states concerned under that Agreement was jab. ‘‘The Punjab settlement, except one ple—Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Assamese, as under: para 9, relating to allocation of the Ravi- Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, Tamils, and every- Haryana (non-riparian) 3.50 MAF, Beas water, has remained unimplemented in one living under Indian rule—to enjoy the full Rajasthan (non-riparian) 8.60 MAF, Delhi letter and spirit, to date.’’

VerDate jul 14 2003 05:21 Jul 15, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K13JY8.004 E14PT1 E1370 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks July 14, 2004 In these circumstances, the terms of 1981 Mohinder Singh wondered if the Bill would and also by the Points of Light Foundation for agreement were ‘‘onerous, unfair, un-reason- stop the construction of SYL. He was for serving more than five hundred hours in one able and contrary to the interests of the in- adding a new amendment in the form of a year. Only one thousand people in the entire habitants of the Ravi-Beas basin, who have clause in the Eastern Punjab Canal and law-full rights to utilise water of these riv- Drains Act, 1873 that permission of the state country are expected to receive such a pres- ers’’. Is the Bill justified? Will it tantamount Assembly should be mandatory to dig or con- tigious award this year. The President’s Coun- to contempt of the court? In his well pre- struct any canal that carries water beyond cil on Service and Civic Participation created pared speech, Capt. Amarinder Singh has ad- the boundaries of the state. the award program to recognize Americans dressed such questions, as well. RARE BONHOMIE IN HOUSE whose example of dedication inspires others Armed with the House resolution of June to volunteer. Connie definitely fits the mold as 15 that aims to protect the rights of Punjab, The discussion on the Bill was, however, not without the usual political punches and she was instrumental in the founding of an or- legal opinions and all-party resolution of ganization that helps to coordinate searches June 12, the Chief Minister said. colour. There were moments when some min- ‘‘This mandate enables the government to isters and opposition members took pot for missing children across the country includ- find ways and means to protect the people shots blaming either side for having failed ing involvement in the high profile Elizabeth from adverse consequences of the Supreme Punjab and messed up the water issue. Smart case. Court judgment of June 4. The state had Some Opposition members said had such a Mr. Speaker Connie Flukey is a dedicated been advised that the obligations arising Bill been brought forward 23 years ago, Pun- public servant that goes above and beyond from an agreement or the contract did not jab would have been spared the agony. Even the Bill says that in the wake of large-scale the call of duty to serve her community and fetter the powers of the legislature to enact her nation. I am proud to acknowledge the a law in public interest. militancy, the Punjab settlement was ‘‘We have been further advised that it is a reached, which however, had remained achievements of a person who encourages well settled law that the legislature is com- unimplemented in letter and spirit. her fellow Americans to volunteer and help out petent remove or take away the basis of For once, the House was in a serious mood. in their towns and cities. It is the efforts of judgment by law and thereby it does not en- There were no political skirmishes, though people like Connie that help build strong and croach upon the exercise of the judicial usual jibes were heard. The Governor’s and caring communities. Thank you for your serv- power of the judiciary and the legislative ac- Speaker’s galleries were packed. ice Connie and I wish you all the best in your But it was the Captain’s day all the way. tion within its competence, do not commit a future endeavors. contempt of court. However, final decision in Having worked overtime to get this Bill pre- all these matters lies in the court, as any pared, presented and passed by the House, he f law enacted by this august House is subject responded to the collective anguish of the opposition, expressed by Mr Badal, with ut- THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ‘‘CON- to a judicial review’’. TINUITY OF OPERATIONS DEM- When the Bill had been introduced, Mr most humility and courtesy, acknowledging Parkash Singh Badal stood up to express the all what Mr Badal had said. But then he ONSTRATION PROJECT ACT’’ collective anguish of the opposition that on point by point not only explained the un- such an important item, involving the ques- usual circumstances, including race against HON. DANNY K. DAVIS tion of ‘‘life and death’’ had been treated time, under which the Bill in as prepared and OF ILLINOIS lightly by the government and till noon thus could not be circulated earlier, giving today ‘‘we had no idea of what the agenda the members a chance to prepare them- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was all about nor we had received copy of the selves. Tuesday, July 13, 2004 Bill or what it was all about’’. Capt. Amarinder Singh was apologetic and Mr Badal said the traditions and conven- said so repeatedly taking the wind out of the Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, in the tions of the House were being eroded, day-by- sails of the Akalis. He showed faint starchi- late 1990s, the Government Reform and Edu- day. ‘‘It was also a disgrace that even the in- ness in his voice, when he responded to some cation and Workforce Committees, held over- formation inviting us to meet the Governor of the observations of Capt. Kanwaljit Singh, sight hearings to examine the barriers to tele- after the House had passed the resolution saying, ‘‘We are together here for an impor- commuting and federal agencies’ development was sent by the Congress president, Mr H S tant task, not for rhetoric and emotive out- and promotion of telework programs. It was bursts. We cannot allow Punjab to go back Hanspal, who was not involved in this in any then thought that the primary benefits of tele- which way. How can we discuss anything at into the grip of violence’’. such a short notice? We are against political Warming up, he concluded, ‘‘We will resort commuting were reducing traffic congestion confrontation and are available 24–hours for to all legal and constitutional means to seek and pollution, improving recruitment and reten- any thing related to the interests of the justice. Already enough bloodshed has taken tion of employees, reducing the need for office state and are willing to support the govern- place. Even all the bodies have not been space, increasing productivity, and improving ment’’. counted, so far. We shall fight to the end but the quality-of-life and morale of federal em- Thereafter, the Speaker, Dr Kewal Krishan within the parameters of laws, rules and the ployees. said he had received a resolution sent by four constitution. I will be willing to resign, if These continue to be compelling and valid Akali MLAs, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, Capt. need be, for the sake of Punjab. The time is reasons for implementing agencywide telework Kanwaljit Singh, Mr Gurdev Singh Badal and not for blame game. We have all made mis- Mr Manpreet Singh Badal, for the consider- takes in the past. We are rectifying the same programs. Representative FRANK WOLF is to ation of the House. after 23 years. Come, lets join hands, close be commended for moving legislation that Then, he ruled that since a comprehensive ranks. I appreciate the Opposition’s co-oper- pushes agencies to increase the number of Bill was being presented, they could express ation’’. federal employees who telecommute. their views while speaking on that. Mr f Today, post 9–11, we are again holding Manpreet Singh Badal and Capt Kanwaljit hearings on telecommuting. We have another, Singh suggested that certain provisions, in- PAYING TRIBUTE TO CONNIE very compelling reason to push federal agen- cluding Clause 78, in the Punjab FLUKEY cies, and ourselves, to develop and implement Reorganisation Act, 1966, be also annulled. BJP’s Tikshan Sud, said though a ‘‘belated the infrastructure and work processes nec- step’’, the Bill was a welcome and offered full HON. SCOTT McINNIS essary to support telecommuting. They are co-operation but rued that the Opposition be OF COLORADO emergency preparedness and the continued given due place and respect. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES threat of terrorism. On this the Captain had stated in his reply The question we must ask ourselves is this: that whatever steps were required to be Tuesday, July 13, 2004 In the event of an emergency, are we—this taken to protect Punjab’s interests would be Mr. MCINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Committee, our staffs, and federal agencies— taken in consultation with the legal experts. The speakers, including Mr Bir Devinder pay tribute to Connie Flukey, of Grand Junc- prepared to serve the American people, if in Singh and Mr Jeet Mohinder Singh spoke in tion, Colorado, who has committed herself to an emergency situation, our primary places of the context of historical background, stress- a lifetime of volunteer service. Connie is a car- work are no longer available to us? ing time and again on the riparian prin- ing individual who inspires citizens to follow in You only have to read the General Account- ciples. Mr Bir Devinder Singh recalled how her benevolent steps. She is a valuable mem- ing Office’s (GAO) April 2004 report entitled, even the British Government had sought a ber of her community and it is an honor to rec- ‘‘Human Capital: Opportunities to Improve certificate from Punjab that it will protect ognize her service before this body of Con- Federal Continuity Planning Guidance,’’ to its own interests under the riparian rights gress and this nation. know that the answer is no. while selling water to Rajasthan. Mr Bir Devinder Singh even cautioned to In recognition of her service, Connie was re- The GAO report notes that the government be prepared following the enactment of the cently honored by the White House with the is better prepared to handle an emergency Act, terminating 1981 and other agreements President’s Call to Service Award for more than it was before 9–11, but there is room for since new situation would develop. Mr Jeet than four thousand hours of volunteer service improvement. Federal agencies’ continuity of

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