February 15, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E239 County’s Superintendent of Schools since rialized one day.’’ It looks like that day is get- Welcoming the close cooperation between 1990, and is being honored by the Kremen ting closer. the Pakistani Punjab and the Indian Punjab, School of Education and Human Develop- The government of Punjab acted last year Mr. Mann claimed it was he who had initi- ated this move by demanding way back in ment. to cancel all water agreements with the other 1990 that the border between the two Punjabs Dr. Mehas was born and raised in Fresno, states in India, by which Punjab’s water was should be opened up for the people to cross graduated from Fresno High in 1957, and being diverted to those other states. In so over. earned his Bachelor’s degree from California doing, they declared the sovereignty of the To a question on the demand of the Dal State University, Fresno. He continued his state of Punjab. Imagine that, Mr. Speaker. Khalsa that ban on cow slaughter in Punjab education at University of California, Los An- They are openly claiming their sovereignty. should go, Mr. Mann said he or his geles, where he received his Master’s degree, This is good to see. organisation had nothing to do with that and went on to University of Southern Cali- Mr. Speaker, when India became inde- organisation (Dal Khalsa). At the same time, fornia, where he secured a Doctorate in Edu- pendent, the Sikhs were supposed to get an he said, he or his party would not like to hurt the sentiments of a majority of people cation. independent state in Punjab. But the Indian as ‘‘Hindus held the cow to be sacred and Pete has served the public for many years leaders assured them they would have ‘‘the their sentiments should be respected’’. as an educational advocate. He was Secretary glow of freedom’’ there, so they stayed with Mr. Mann also accused Shiromani Akali of Education to Governor George Deukmejian, India. Well, that ‘‘glow of freedom’’ has taken Dal leader Parkash Singh Badal of having and also a member of the California State the lives of over 250,000 Sikhs as well as over connived with Hindu organisations in demol- Board of Education and Board of Governors 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, over 89,000 ishing the Babri mosque. He alleged that Mr. for California Community Colleges. Kashmiri Muslims, and tens of thousands of Badal had sent a special jatha, led by Mr. His efforts have not gone unnoticed—Dr. other minority people. It has resulted in 52,268 Avtar Singh Hit, to Ayodhaya on December Mehas has been appointed by four presidents 6, 1992, to join the kar sevaks for demol- Sikhs being held as political prisoners under a ishing the Babri mosque. and three governors to major commissions, repressive law called TADA that expired in boards, and advisory committees committed to 1995. It is time for real freedom for the Sikhs, f making education a priority throughout our Na- the Nagas, the Kashmiris, and all people in tion. He has appeared on national television’s the subcontinent. IN HONOR OF JOE HARRIS NBC’s ‘‘Today’’ show and ABC’s ‘‘Good Morn- The essence of democracy is self-deter- ing America,’’ and was the only educator in- mination. If India wants to be treated as a de- HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS vited to address the National Republican Con- mocracy, it must allow self-determination and vention in Houston, Texas in 1992. all other rights to all its citizens. We should not OF TEXAS Dr. Mehas’ accomplishment list is long and provide any money to India until it does. In IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES includes USC School of Education Distin- 1948, India promised to hold a plebiscite to let Tuesday, February 15, 2005 guished Lecturer, CSU Fresno School of So- the people of Kashmir decide their status. It’s Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to cial Science Distinguished Alumni Award, now 56 years later and they are still waiting. honor the life-long service of Joe Harris. Mr. Honorary Life Member in the National Con- Similarly, the demand for self-determination in Harris, hailed as a man who always put every- gress of Parents and Teachers, NAACP Presi- Khalistan, in Nagaland, and elsewhere has one before himself, spent the last 34 years of dents Award, Rose Ann Vuich Ethical Leader- been met with nothing but violent resistance. his life serving my constituents as a fire fighter ship Award, and most recently the Kremen Is that democracy, Mr. Speaker? Is that free- in the City of Denton, Texas. Mr. Harris not School of Education and Human Development dom? only served the people of Denton County but ‘‘Noted Alumni Recipient’’ for significant con- The Tribune, a newspaper in Chandigarh, also his family and co-workers with the en- tributions in the field of education. Punjab, carried excellent coverage of Mr. couragement, warmth and generosity that de- His efforts have been exhaustive, and we Mann’s remarks in its December 8 issue. I fined his life. are continually lucky that his family, wife Demi would like to place that article in the RECORD The recent death of Mr. Harris came after and daughters Alethea and Andreanna have at this time for the information of my col- years of fighting cancer. He had recently re- been willing to share all that Dr. Mehas has to leagues. offer—he has made an amazing impact on our tired so he could spend more time with his [From the (Chandigarh, India) Tribune, Dec. family. During his career as a public servant, community. 8, 2004] Mr. Harris took pride in each task that he was f MANN REVERTS TO SOVEREIGN PUNJAB THEME given. His contagious personality and love for SIKH LEADER AGAIN SPEAKS OUT LUDHIANA, Dec. 7.—Shiromani Akali Dal those whom he saw day after day went far be- FOR FREEDOM FOR KHALISTAN (Amritsar) supremo Simranjit Singh Mann yond his call of duty. A life-long citizen of my yesterday reverted to the theme of sovereign Punjab, declaring that his party would district, Mr. Harris served not only my constitu- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS launch a peaceful movement to realise this ents but our country in the United States OF NEW YORK dream. He said his party had never given up Coast Guard. Mr. Harris was steadfast in his the demand for a separate and sovereign IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES life of service, and I have no doubt that he has Punjab as the Sikhs’ was a separate nation- inspired everyone who came to know him. Tuesday, February 15, 2005 ality, foundations of which had been laid Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, there are encour- down by Guru Gobind Singh himself. stand here today to commemorate the life of Mr. Mann, who was here to preside over a aging developments in the fight for freedom meeting of the party office-bearers at Joe Harris; one of our fellow public servants. for minorities in India. It looks like the people Gurdwara Akalgarh, said to ensure lasting May his work be a guide and inspiration to us of Nagaland are making progress in their ne- peace in South Asia in the face of deep hos- all. gotiations with India to achieve autonomy. tility between ‘‘Hindu civilisation (India) This is a potentially significant development and Muslim civilisation (Pakistan)’’, it was f that will begin, at long last, the unraveling of in the interest of the people of the region to the web of Indian oppression. Can Kashmir create a neutral and buffer sovereign state. PERSONAL EXPLANATION and Khalistan be far behind? He maintained that the foundations for a separate sovereign Sikh state had been laid To add to this, the fire of freedom continues down by Guru Gobind Singh and Banda HON. ROSCOE G. BARTLETT to burn as brightly as ever in Punjab, Singh Bahadur followed by Maharaja Ranjit OF MARYLAND Khalistan. On December 7, a Sikh leader Singh. This dream was furthered by ‘‘Sant IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES named Simranjit Singh Mann, who is a former Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’’ and ‘‘would be Member of India’s Parliament and has held materialised one day’’. He said since both Tuesday, February 15, 2005 events right here in the Capitol and met many Pakistan and India had nuclear weapons, it Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress, again spoke out for was necessary that some buffer state should on rollcall vote No. 31, I had thought that I had independence for the Sikh homeland, be created so that the two countries did not voted and that the machine had accepted my come face to face with each other. Khalistan. Mr. Mann put his party, the Akali Mr. Mann refused to give the geographical vote. Apparently, it did not; therefore, I ask Dal, Amritsar, on record for independence. He outline of the ‘‘sovereign state’’ envisioned unanimous consent that the CONGRESSIONAL pledged that he would lead a peaceful move- by him. He evaded an answer to a question RECORD show that had my vote been accept- ment for independence, which he said was a whether it included the part of the state ed, I would have voted ‘‘yes’’ on rollcall No. dream of the Sikh people that ‘‘will be mate- which is now with Pakistan. 31.

VerDate Aug 04 2004 04:39 Feb 16, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A15FE8.030 E15PT1 E240 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks February 15, 2005 A PROCLAMATION HONORING The time has come to let India know that we came independent, Sikhs were equal partners GLENNA BLACK ON HER 92ND are watching and to let them know that this is in the transfer of power and were to receive BIRTHDAY unacceptable. their own state, but the weak and ignorant There are steps that we can take to support Sikh leaders of the time were tricked into staying with India on the promise that they HON. ROBERT W. NEY the rights of all people in south Asia. It is time would have ‘‘the glow of freedom’’ and no OF OHIO that we take these steps. They include cutting law affecting the Sikhs would pass without IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES off our aid and trade with India and putting the their consent. Sikhs ruled an independent Congress on record in support of self-deter- and sovereign Punjab from 1710 to 1716 and Tuesday, February 15, 2005 mination for the Sikhs of Punjab, Khalistan, again from 1765 to 1849 and were recognized Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker: the Christian people of Nagaland, the by most of the countries of the world at that Whereas, Glenna Black was born on Feb- Kashmiris, and all the people of South Asia time. Sikhs do not accept the Indian con- ruary 16, 1913 and is celebrating her 92nd who are seeking freedom. Only by exercising stitution. No Sikh representative has ever birthday; and signed it. their right to self-determination, which is the Indian police arrested human-rights activ- Whereas, Glenna Black has been a positive essence of democracy, can the people there influence on those individuals who have been ist Jaswant Singh Khalra after he exposed finally live in freedom, peace, and prosperity. their policy of mass cremation of Sikhs, in fortunate to meet her; and Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the Coun- which over 50,000 Sikhs have been arrested, Whereas, Glenna Black has remained active cil of Khalistan’s very informative press re- tortured, and murdered, then their bodies among her community and friends; and lease on the denial of bail to these Sikh activ- were declared unidentified and secretly cre- Whereas, Glenna Black has exemplified a ists into the RECORD at this time. mated. Khalra was murdered in police cus- life of love and dedication to all of her family [From Council of Khalistan] tody. His body was not given to his family. and friends. No one has been brought to justice for the BAIL DENIED FOR 11 SIKHS ARRESTED FOR kidnapping and murder of Jaswant Singh Therefore, I join with the family and friends HOISTING SIKH FLAG IN AMRITSAR—IS THIS Khalra. The police never released the body of of Glenna and the residents of the entire 18th DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM OF SPEECH? former Jathedar of the Akal Takht Gurdev Congressional District of Ohio in wishing Glen- Eleven Sikhs who were arrested for raising na Black a very happy 92nd birthday. Singh Kaunke after SSP Swaran Singh the Sikh flag on Republic Day, January 26, Ghotna murdered him. He has never been f have been denied bail. Thirty-five Sikhs were tried for the Jathedar Kaunke murder. In charged and 31 are being held. They raised SIKHS ARRESTED FOR RAISING 1994, the U.S. State Department reported the saffron flag of Khalsa Raj at Gurdwara that the Indian government had pad over FLAG ARE DENIED BAIL Shaheed Ganj in Amritsar. They have been 41,000 cash bounties for killing Sikhs. charged with sedition and ‘‘making inflam- India is not one country; it is a polyglot HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS matory speeches.’’ Khalsa Raj Party Presi- thrown together for the convenience of the dent Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan said that they OF NEW YORK British colonialists. It is doomed to break up had raised the flag according to Sikh IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as they did. Last year, the Punjab Legisla- tradion. tive Assembly passed a bill cancelling the Tuesday, February 15, 2005 Punjab Pradesh Congress Party President government’s daylight robbery of Punjab Hanspal said, ‘‘We will not allow them to Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on January 26, river water. The Assembly explicitly stated raise their heads for Khalistan.’’ Maninder the sovereignty of Punjab. India celebrated its Republic Day, the anniver- Singh Bitta, President of the All-India sary of the adoption of its constitution. On that ‘‘I urge the international community to Youth Congress, demanded that Dr. Chohan help us free Khalistan from Indian occupa- day a group of Sikh activists raised the Sikh and others be deported to Pakistan, claiming tion,’’ Dr. Aulakh said. ‘‘Freedom is the flag at a Gurdwara in the city of Amritsar in they are Pakistani agents. Former Chief birthright of all people and nations,’’ he said. accordance with Sikh tradition. For this, com- Minister Badal said, ‘‘We will not permit the ‘‘The arrest and denial of bail for these ac- plaints were issued against 35 Sikhs and 31 militancy to raise its head again.’’ tivists for raising the Sikh flag and making ‘‘How can India call itself democratic when speeches shows that there is no freedom for have been arrested. it suppresses a basic right like freedom of Sikhs within India,’’ he said. ‘‘As Professor Now eleven of them have had their bail de- speech?,’’ said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, Darshan Singh, a former Jathedar of the nied, keeping them in detention. The Punjab President of the Council of Khalistan, which Akal Takht, said, ‘If a Sikh is not for and Haryana High Court has ruled that speak- leads the Sikh struggle for freedom. ‘‘The Khalistan, he is not a Sikh’,’’ Dr. Aulakh ing out for Khalistan is not a crime, yet they Punjab and Haryana High Court has already noted. ‘‘We must continue to press for free- ruled in the case of the late Colonel Partap are charged with ‘‘sedition’’ and ‘‘making in- dom,’’ he said. ‘‘Without political power, re- Singh that speaking in support of freedom flammatory speeches’’ for raising a flag and ligions cannot flourish and nations perish. A for Khalistan is not a crime,’’ Dr. Aulakh speaking out for freedom for the Sikh home- sovereign Khalistan is essential for the sur- said. ‘‘How can these activists be arrested for land. vival of the Sikh religion and the Sikh Na- something that is not a crime?’’ Mr. Speaker, what kind of democracy is The Indian government has murdered over tion.’’ this? The Movement Against State Repression 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, more than 300,000 f (MASR) was already reporting that India held Christians since 1948, over 90,000 Muslims in 52,268 political prisoners. These activists add Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of LEADER IN EDUCATION 11 to that number. Tamils, Assamese, Manipuris, Dalits, Bodos, This is just the latest illustration that exer- and others. The Indian Supreme Court called HON. JIM COSTA the Indian government’s murders of Sikhs cising your freedom of speech can be a very OF CALIFORNIA dangerous thing in India if you are a minority. ‘‘worse than a genocide.’’ According to a re- port by the Movement Against State Repres- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES India has a pattern of repression. It has killed sion (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs and tens of thou- Tuesday, February 15, 2005 over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, more than sands of other minorities are being held as 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, over 90,000 political prisoners in India without charge or Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Kashmiri Muslims, thousands of other Chris- trial. Some have been in illegal custody honor and congratulate Rutherford ‘‘Bud’’ Gas- tians and Muslims throughout the country, and since 1984! We demand the immediate release ton, Sr., of Fresno, California. Bud has re- tens of thousands of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits of all these political prisoners. ceived many noted awards throughout the (the aboriginal people of South Asia), ‘‘The Sikh Nation is indebted to the lead- years and most recently he is a recipient of Manipuris, Tamils, and others. The U.S. State ers of Dal Khalsa who raised the Sikh flag, the Kremen School of Education and Human including Harcharan Singh Dhami, Presi- Department reported in 1994 that the Indian dent, Kanwarpal Singh Bittu, General Sec- Development ‘‘Noted Alumni Award’’. government had paid over 41,000 cash boun- retary, Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib, and Mr. Gaston was born in Georgia, but at- ties to police officers for killing Sikhs. One others,’’ said Dr. Aulakh. ‘‘We praise Dr. tended high school in Brakenridge, Pennsyl- such bounty went to an officer who killed a Chohan for his remarks. But how can Sikhs vania where he graduated from Har Brack three-year-old boy. like Badal, Hanspal, Bitta, and others call High School. Then Bud moved to Fresno, We must not just sit and watch while a themselves Sikhs when they deny the Sikh where he attended California State University, country that proclaims itself ‘‘the world’s larg- aspirations for freedom? Clearly, they are Fresno and received a Bachelor’s degree in est democracy’’ tramples on the most basic of doing the bidding of the Indian government, Education, and a Master’s Degree in Edu- which controls them.’’ democratic freedoms, such as the freedom to The Sikh Nation declared its independence cation Administration. speak out and to hold a peaceful demonstra- from India on October 7, 1987 and formed the Bud joined Fresno Unified School District in tion. That is not the hallmark of a democracy. Council of Khalistan at that time to lead the 1953 as a teacher at Columbia School. After It is the hallmark of a police state. struggle for independence. When India be- ten years, he became Principal of Tielman and

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