E48 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks January 9, 2007 After returning to California, Mr. Livermore COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN SENDS Ji Ka , Waheguru Ji Ki first founded a mule-packing company in the NEW YEAR GREETING TO THE Fateh! SIKH NATION The New Year has already arrived. Happy southem Sierra and then a small lumber mill New Year to you and your family and the near his family home in Northern California. In Khalsa Panth. May 2007 be your best year 1952 he went to work as treasurer at Pacific HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS ever. I wish you health, joy, and prosperity Lumber Company, and helped promote sus- OF NEW YORK in the new year. The flame of freedom continues to burn tainable logging practices during the heyday of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the California logging industry. Many of the brightly in the heart of the Sikh Nation. No Tuesday, January 9, 2007 force can suppress it. areas he advocated be protected as wilder- blessed the Khalsa Panth, saying ‘‘in grieb ness were near areas being logged by the Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, the Council Sikhin ko deom Patshahi.’’ (‘‘I bless the company, but Ike understood the need for bal- of Khalistan, which leads the peaceful, demo- humble with sovereignty.’’) The Sikh ance in resource management. cratic, nonviolent effort to free Khalistan, the Nation must dedicate this year to working Sikh homeland, from India, has sent New hard to achieve that goal. Self-determina- In 1967, he gladly accepted a request to Year’s greetings to the Sikhs from the council tion is the right of all peoples and nations join the cabinet of California Governor Ronald and its president, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh. and the essence of democracy. Without sov- Reagan as the Secretary of Resources. Dur- ereignty, religions perish. With sovereignty, In the letter, Dr. Aulakh calls On Sikh polit- ing his time in the Reagan Administration, Ike they flourish. Compare the situation of the ical leaders to stand up for the interests of was a fierce opponent of several attempts to Jewish people in Europe before World War II their people, which is what all of us in public build roads over these passes he himself had to their situation now. There is no reason office anywhere should be doing. He notes Sikhs cannot achieve a similar change of for- walked, and finally convinced the Governor to that without sovereignty, nations perish, and tune. scuttle plans to build two roads over the high- he cites the situation of the Jewish people be- It has been said that ‘‘without vision, the est passes. His wisdom is readily apparent: fore World War II as compared to their situa- people perish,’’ but with vision, the people the areas in question have now been des- flourish. It is time for the Sikh Nation to tion now. That is a good example of what sov- ignated Sequoia National Park and the John flourish. Sikhs have suffered too much al- ereignty can do for a people. He calls on the Muir wilderness. He was also instrumental in ready under the yoke of Indian persecution Legislative Assembly that is about to the creation of Redwood National Park on the since independence, especially over the past be elected next month to pass a resolution 25 years. We have seen the attack on the northern Coast. Marshalling the same argu- again declaring Khalistan’s independence. , over 250,000 Sikhs murdered ments he had made in his master’s thesis 30 Dr. Aulakh calls for the return of the state and over 52,000 held as political prisoners, years earlier, he convinced members of Gov- capital, Chandigarh, to Punjab, along with the the murder of the Jathedar, ernor Reagan’s cabinet that the economic more than 50,000 Sikh youth tortured, mur- Punjabi areas of neighboring states Himachal benefits of wilderness far outweighed other dered, then declared unidentified and se- Pradesh and Haryana. He urges an end to the potential uses of the land. Such reasoning is cretly cremated, their bodies never returned diversion of Punjab’s water without compensa- the foundation of the important modem under- to their families. Their families continue to tion. He notes that the fanners are being op- suffer. We must help their widows and or- standing that the preservation of wild land can pressed by being forced to buy fertilizer at ex- phans. Let us find the vision to throw off be as valuable as its exploitation. orbitantly high rates but being forced to sell this repression. With that vision, the Sikh Ike’s heart was always in the wild country, their crops at ridiculously low prices. He notes Nation will flourish; without it, we will per- and throughout many years in the ish and India’s effort to eliminate the insults and repression that India has in- will succeed. This is the reason that Guru enviromnental community he caused others to flicted on the Sikhs, including the Golden Gobind Singh sent Sikhs to learn Sanskrit share his appreciation of unspoiled natural Temple attack, the murder of over 250,000 and to gain knowledge of other religions, so beauty during expeditions all over the state. Sikhs since 1984, the fact that more than that the Khalsa Panth might be more en- Among his favorite places in the high Sierra 52,000 Sikhs are being held as political pris- lightened and be aware of the qualities of its Nevada was the long, mostly undeveloped oners, and so many other violations. The letter own religion and culture. stretch from Yosemite National Park to Walker notes that in an independent Khalistan, India The Indian government is reacting to the Pass. While operating his mule-packing ven- rising tide of freedom for the Sikh Nation. It would not be able to inflict such insults and re- has stepped up its efforts to destroy the Sikh ture he covered much of this territory, and pression on the Sikh Nation. religion and deny Sikhs an environment to after he had folded the business and moved In addition to the quarter of a million Sikhs flourish. They have kept Punjabi-speaking on with other pursuits, he continued to return it has murdered, the Indian regime has killed areas out of Punjab while supporting an in- to the area for many years leading Sierra Club over 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, more flux of Hindus into Punjab. Sikhs are prohib- expeditions and fighting to oppose develop- than 90,000 Muslims in Kashmir and 2,000 to ited from buying land in Rajasthan, ment. 5,000 in Gujarat, as well as Christians and Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal Pradesh, yet there are no restrictions on land owner- Madam Speaker, many people will gather at Muslims elsewhere in the country and Tamils, ship in Punjab by non-Sikhs. People from the end of the month to remember Ike, and all Manipuris, Dalits, Bodos, Assamesc, and other anywhere can buy land in Punjab, including the good that he has done. But it takes more minorities. Tens of thousands of people are people from Rajasthan and Himachal than great accomplishments to earn a place in held as political prisoners, according to Am- Pradesh. India is trying to subvert people’s hearts. Ike Livermore was, above all, nesty Intemational. Congress should demand Khalistan’s independence by overrunning a great and kind man. Loving towards family the release of all political prisoners and the Punjab with non-Sikhs while keeping Sikhs prosecution of those who have violated the from escaping the brutal repression in Pun- and friends, calm and respectful in his con- jab. I ask Captain and duct, a strong and passionate leader for the rights of Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, and other Badal to get the Punjabi-speaking areas causes he championed, Ike’s life is a model minorities. back from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. for future generations. His works did not de- Madam Speaker, the time has come for the These areas rightfully belong to Punjab. fine him, but were a reflection of the man who glow of freedom to be enjoyed by everyone. It When will the political leaders of Punjab gave so many his wisdom arid guidance. He is time to cut off American aid and trade with stand up for the Sikhs? In Punjab, the Sikh population is 75 per- will long be remembered as a true, Califor- India until all people enjoy full human rights there. In addition, we should put the U.S. Con- cent rural. Sikhs are dependent on agri- nian, a visionary environmentalist who under- culture. The lifeline of farmers is water. We stood the balance of man and nature, and re- gress on record in support of freedom every- must stop the diversion of Punjab’s water to alized that both must be allowed to prosper. where in South Asia. Now that a new Con- Rajasthan and Haryana without compensa- gress has taken office, it is an ideal time to tion. That is a natural resource of Punjab. A Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this pass a resolution calling for a free and fair couple of years ago, Captain Amarinder time that we remember and celebrate the life plebiscite on the subject of independence. Singh’s government cancelled the water of Ike Livermore. His accomplishments are in- That is the democratic way to do things and agreements. I call on Chief Minister numerable, but he leaves behind a greater it’s time that India started behaving like a de- Amarinder Singh to use his power to receive legacy of personal involvement in the wilds of payments for this water. As we pay the price mocracy. for the coal we get from the Indian govern- California. He proved by example that one can Madam Speaker, I would like to put the be an industrialist and an environmentalist, ment, then why can’t we get paid for the Council of Khalistan’s New Year message into water we give? Sikh leaders in Punjab must and after his retirement from public life, he re- the RECORD at this time. take a strong stand on this issue. mained active fighting for wilderness all over COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN, The Indian government squeezes Sikh the state. His life will long be remembered, Washington, DC, January 9, 2007. farmers by all available means. They sell fer- even as his ideas continue to bear fruit. DEAR KHALSA, JR: tilizer and seeds at very high cost but when

VerDate Aug 31 2005 07:15 Jan 10, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A09JA8.024 E09JAPT1 ccoleman on PRODPC75 with REMARKS January 9, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E49 it comes time to sell produce, the govern- cated to the cause of Sikh freedom if we are world. Dr. Mello’s research is not only ment sets the price very low. This leads to to continue to move the cause of freedom for groundbreaking but revolutionary. thousands of farmers committing suicide be- Khalistan forward in 2007 as we did in 2006. cause of their colossal financial indebtedness Remember the words former Jathedar of the Madam Speaker, Dr. Mello’s and Dr. Fire’s to the Indian government. Akal Takht Professor Darshan Singh: ‘‘If a discovery was published in Nature magazine It is time to take control of the Bhakra Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.’’ in 1998. They have received several awards, Dam and the Nangal hydroelectric project. Khalistan is the only way that Sikhs will be including the National Academy of Sciences These belong to Punjab but are controlled by able to live in freedom, peace, prosperity, Award in Molecular Biology and the Wiley the Delhi regime. Punjab must take com- and dignity. It is time to start a Shantmai Prize in Biomedical Sciences as well as inter- plete control of these projects and sell elec- Morcha to liberate Khalistan from Indian oc- national awards in Germany and Canada. tricity at market rates. The Gobindgarah cupation. We must achieve our freedom by Fort, which was built by the Sikh missal peaceful, democratic, nonviolent means. Let Most recently, Dr. Mello and Dr. Fire received Bhangian, was recently returned to Punjab that be the mission of 2007. the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 2006 for their by the Indian government. That is a good Elections for the Punjab Legislative As- work on RNAi, the highest honor in the world first step. Now all that is the Khalsa sembly will be held on February 13. Vote in the field of medicine and physiology. Panth’s, including the sovereignty that is only for candidates who are committed to es- our birthright, must also be returned so that Dr. Craig C. Mello has instilled a sense of tablishing Khalistan and will work to make pride among the citizens of the Common- Sikhs can flourish in the glow of freedom it a reality. Every morning and evening the promised by the Indian National Congress Khalsa Panth recites ‘‘Raj Kare Ga Khalsa.’’ wealth of Massachusetts and the City of during the independence strugg1e. We must dedicate ourselves to realizing this. Worcester with his research in the field of de- The capital of Chandigarh was built by The time is now. We can do it by the ballot. velopmental gene regulation. Punjab. Punjab must get it back from the In- I ask Sikhs of every political shade not to Madam Speaker, I am sure that the entire dian government. It is the height of high- miss this opportunity. We must realize it handedness to make Chandigarh a Union U.S. House of Representatives joins me in now. When the Punjab Legislative Assembly thanking Dr. Craig C. Mello for his contribution Territory. I ask Chief Minister Amarinder reconvenes it must pass a resolution for the Singh to take this good opportunity to re- independence of Khalistan. As soon as that to the field of genetic research and congratu- gain, control of Chandigarh. This will help resolution passes, India will no longer be lating him on his achievement of the 2006 him politically as well. Haryana is a wealthy able to repress the Sikhs. Three million Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. state; let Haryana build its own capital. Sikhs living outside India will make sure In November we met with Pakistani Prime that Khalistan is free without any further Minister Shaukat Aziz. He said he would f loss of human life. In a democracy, you can’t build a road from Kartapur Sahib to the In- rule the people against their wishes. dian border, provided that the Punjab gov- IN LASTING MEMORY OF Q. ernment builds its portion as well. I have Sikhs will never get any justice from BYRUM HURST visited Kartapur. There is only a mile or so Delhi. Ever since independence, India has of the road and the Ravi River is completely mistreated the Sikh Nation, starting with dried up. The bridge, which is on the Indian Patel’s shameful memo labeling Sikhs ‘‘a HON. MIKE ROSS side, needs minor repairs. This road would be criminal tribe’’ even though the Sikh Nation good for the people on both sides of the bor- gave over 80 percent of the sacrifices to free OF ARKANSAS India. How can Sikhs continue to live in der. It would help build good relations be- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tween India and Pakistan, particularly be- such a country? There is no place for Sikhs in supposedly secular, supposedly democratic tween Pakistan and the Sikhs of Punjab. I Tuesday, January 9, 2007 urge Captain Amarinder Singh to build the India. road immediately so that Sikhs from Punjab Let us make certain that 2007 is the Sikh Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to can visit Kartapur Sahib where Nation’s most blessed year by making it the honor the memory of Q. Byrum Hurst, who departed this Earth for his heavenly abode. year that we shake ourselves loose from In- dian oppression and liberate our homeland, passed away December 4, 2006, in Hot It is a serene place. Springs, AR, at the age of 88. The RSS and its political arm, the BJP, Kha1istan, so that all Sikhs may live lives of want to divide the Sikh Nation. The Dasam prosperity, freedom, and dignity. Now it is Mr. Q. Byrum Hurst had two passions—law Granth is RSS mischief. The issue of its au- up to us. Do not waste this opportunity. and politics. He passed the Arkansas bar thorship has been settled long ago, despite May Guru bless the Khalsa Panth in 2007 exam in 1941 and spent his life in politics with what any Indian-controlled Sikh leader may and always. the exception of his stint in the U.S. Army Sincerely, say now. I urge Akal Takht Jathedar from 1943–1945. Q. Byrum Hurst was elected Jogincder Singh Vedanti to stop the discus- DR. GURMIT SINGH AULAKH, sion of the completely and President, Council of Khalistan. Garland County Judge in 1947 and then elect- concentrate his efforts on achieving freedom ed to the State Senate where he served 22 f for Khalistan and stopping the vices that consecutive years. In 1967, Mr. Hurst was have percolated in the Sikh religion, includ- HONORING DOCTOR CRAIG C. elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate ing abortion of female fetuses, drinking liq- MELLO, PHD where he also served as Acting Governor of uor, and the caste system. Guru Gobind Arkansas during the absence of the sitting Singh created the Khalsa as equals. Mazhabi Governor. Sikhs are as good Sikhs as anyone else. They HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN are our brothers and sisters and we must Q. Byrum Hurst was recognized as one of OF MASSACHUSETTS treat them as equals. Remember what Guru the most powerful and influential men in Ar- Gobind Singh said: ‘‘Ragrete Guru ke Bete.’’ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES kansas politics where he earned a reputation (‘‘The Mazhabi Sikhs are the sons of the Tuesday, January 9, 2007 for his hard work on behalf of Hot Springs, his guru.’’) Guru Gobind Singh lifted them up hometown. and Sikhs established Sikh rule from 1710 to Mr. MCGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise 1716 and from 1765 to 1849. When America de- today to honor Dr. Craig C. Mello, PhD of the Q. Byrum Hurst was an active, lifelong clared its independence in 1776, Punjab was University of Massachusetts Medical School member of the First Church of God where he already ruled independently by the Sikh (UMMS) in my hometown of Worcester, Mas- also served as Sunday School Super- missals. sachusetts for his great work in the advance- intendent. He was also a long-time supporter Twice last year, Sikhs were arrested for ment of genetic research. of the Boy Scouts of America and the Optimist making speeches in support of Khalistan and International Club. raising the Khalistani flag. The Indian re- Born in New Haven, CT in 1960, Dr. Mello gime is clearly worried about the rising tide is an alumnus of Brown University where he My deepest condolences go to his children, in support of Sikh sovereignty. Let us dedi- received a Bachelor’s of Science in Bio- Q. Byrum Hurst, Jr., of Hot Springs; Lezah cate our energy this year to achieving the chemistry in 1982 and Harvard University Stenger of Springfield, MO; Byretta Fish of establishment of Khalistan. Any organiza- where he received his PhD in Cellular and De- Bentonville; to his 17 grandchildren and 25 tion that sincerely supports Khalistan de- velopmental Biology. great-grandchildren; and to his brother F.L. serves the support of the Sikh Nation. When Dr. Mello and his colleague Dr. Andrew Fire Hurst of Hot Springs and his sister Norma Khalistan is free, the Sikhs can resolve these issues in a way that benefits the Khalsa are today’s pioneers in RNA interference Jean Austin of San Antonio, TX. Q. Byrum Panth, not the forces of Hindutva. (RNAi). Their dedication to science and re- Hurst will be greatly missed in Hot Springs, However, the Sikh Nation needs leadership search has provided the world with evidence Garland County and throughout the State of that is honest, sincere, consistent, and dedi- that will lead to the saving of lives around the Arkansas.

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