December 14, 2000 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2183 in the midst of rich, productive farm land. achieved over the years, the members of the the border and visit Nankana Sahib for this Stately mansions sprang up in Middletown as library plan to commemorate this milestone very important religious occasion. At the Attari, a result of the fortunes which were made in event throughout the coming year. railroad station on the border between India the boom economy brought about by the ex- This momentous occasion will be celebrated and Pakistan, a group of 6,000 police with plosion in industry and transportation which by the good people of Middletown, N.Y. with sticks called lathis charged the 3,200 Sikhs. touched most parts of our nation. Mrs. Thrall a series of events. An illustrated history of the They sprayed them with tear gas. Only 800, was a widow whose late husband had made library is being compiled and will be published one-fourth of the number granted visas, were his fortune as a grocer, both in Middletown as a journal. The Library is also planning to allowed to go to Nankana Sahib. Three-fourths and in New York City. allot each month of the year 2001 a different were prevented from attending this religious Although Mrs. S. Maretta Thrall was a pri- theme, drawing patrons to the library for a va- event. vate person, it can be deduced that her gen- riety of celebrations. While honoring their Now, Mr. Speaker, this is purely a religious erosity may have been inspired by Andrew years of service, the library will also be hon- event. There was no politics involved. It was Carnegie, the man who became a millionaire oring the community and all of its members. an observance of a religious occasion at a re- in the steel industry and who donated millions As we celebrate this centennial, we espe- ligious shrine, not a rally against the govern- of dollars to construct libraries in over 1,400 cially salute and thank the current Board of ment of India. There was no good reason to communities throughout the United States. Trustees of the Thrall Library: Ms. Marlena F. prevent these Sikhs from attending this reli- Mrs. Thrall's obituary was published on July Lange, President; Mr. Richard Bell, Vice Presi- gious event except to intimidate them and cre- 7, 1897. She was about 65 years of age at the dent; Mr. Ralph Russo, Secretary; Mrs. Ger- ate a climate of fear because of their religion. time of her passing, and was a widow pre- trude Mokotoff; and Mr. Stephen Shaw. We Freedom of religion is one of the essential ceded in death not only by her husband but also salute and thank Mr. Kevin Gallagher, the freedoms of a democratic state, yet this action also by her only brother and only child. Her current library Administrator. makes it clear again that religious freedom obituary stated that she had ``a naturally bright The work that is being done by the Thrall Li- does not exist in India. It may exist in theory, and sunny disposition, and was surrounded by brary and other public libraries like it through- it may be written in Indian law, but in actual friends.'' The obituary went on to say that she out the country is amazing. Thrall has been fact there is no religious freedom for Sikhs, could not enjoy her fortune because ``disease bringing its patrons together and enriching Christians, Muslims, and other minorities. In laid its stern hand upon her.'' their lives for a century. We are proud of the practice, the real policy of the militant Hindu Prior to her death Mrs. Thrall had left money significant strides made by such this great in- nationalist Indian government, no matter who and land to the City of Middletown for what stitution. is charge, is to create a Hindu state and wipe were known as Thrall Hospital and Thrall Mr. Speaker, some of the fondest memories out all other religious expressions. As former Park. The provisions for the Thrall Library of my younger life were days and nights spent Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar pointed out, were included in a codicil to her will. The li- reading at the Thrall Lilbrary. While our society there is no difference between the ruling BJP brary was built on a city owned lot on Orchard has changed in many ways since those years, and the opposition Congress Party. The effect Street. one thing which has remained constant is the for religious minorities is the same. Now a century old, the Thrall Library has constant quest for knowledge, the insatiable Since 1984, according to Inderjit Singh made a great amount of progress throughout curiosity, which motivates all of our young stu- Jaijee's The Politics of Genocide, over the years. When its doors first opened it was dents. It is to them that we dedicate the cen- 250,000 Sikhs have been murdered in India. simply just a quiet place to research and read. tennial of the Thrall Library, with the promise India has killed more than 200,000 Christians However, the Thrall Library has evolved into of much greater knowledge to come in the fu- in Nagaland since 1947, over 70,000 Kashmiri so much more. It is now a resource center for ture. Muslims since 1988, and tens of thousands of the community. The library houses meeting One of our nation's founding fathers, the ar- other minorities. There is only one way to put rooms for local groups to gather at. As well, chitect of our Constitution who went on to an end to the killing and the oppression, as the library has instituted a number of pro- serve as our fourth President, James Madison, the Sikhs who were attacked at the Attari sta- grams for children to take part in. Located at once stated: ``Learned institutions ought to be tion can tell you. It is to allow the people of the library are several computers that provide favorite objects with every free people. They Khalistan, the people of Kashmir, the people free Internet services to its patrons. Often, we throw that light over the public mind which is of Nagalim, and all the nations of South Asia fail to realize just how important our libraries the best security against crafty and dangerous to live in freedom. are, and how much they offer. encroachments on the public liberty.'' Mr. Speaker, it is time to tell the truth about On February 13, 1995, the Thrall Library of- As the 100th anniversary of the Middletown India. Despite its pretense of democracy, it is ficially opened for business at its new location, Thrall Library approaches, let us recall these a theocratic Hindu state where human rights the olde Erie Railroad Station at 11±19 Depot words of James Madison and appreciate the for minorities are a matter of personal whim Street in MiddletownÐjust a few steps from its national treasure which is our public library and political expediency. Such a country must original building on Orchard Street. In this system. be declared a violator of basic religious rights, modern, new location, the Thrall Library pre- f with all the penalties that entails. It must be pared to meet the challenges of the commu- declared a terrorist nation, as 21 of us wrote nications and education explosion which would INDIAN POLICE TRY TO STOP to President Clinton earlier this year, and a usher in the new millennium. SIKHS FROM VISITING RELI- hostile country, as 17 of us wrote in another Public libraries are extremely important to GIOUS SHRINE IN PAKISTAN— letter. Given this abysmal record the United our communities. They enlighten and enrich all SIKHS REALIZE NEED FOR INDE- States must stop its aid to India and demand of the patrons that choose to take advantage PENDENT KHALISTAN a free and fair plebiscite in Punjab, Khalistan, of the vast resources that they have to offer. in Kashmir, in Nagaland, and throughout India Public libraries educate all walks of life, and HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS to decide the future of these Indian-held states stand as a common ground for all those who OF NEW YORK in a democratic way. These measures will want to learn. S. Maretta Thrall realized this. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES help to ensure that the glow of freedom can fi- Today's libraries work hard to reach out to Thursday, December 14, 2000 nally shine on all the people of South Asia. the cultural, social, and educational needs of I would like to submit the Council of their patrons. The Thrall Library is constantly Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, many of us have Khalistan's open letter on this incident into the looking for new ways to aid our community. spoken to the House about the oppression of RECORD at this time. It is very informative, and With over seventeen thousand card holders to Sikhs and other minorities in India. I am dis- I urge everyone to read it. tressed to have to report yet another incident. date, the number of members continues to COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN, rise. Last month, thousands of Sikhs gathered Washington, DC, December 7, 2000. In 1983, I had the honor of placing the from around the world to celebrate the birth- POLICE HARASS SIKH PILGRIMS TO DISCOUR- Thrall Library on the list of Federal Depository day of the first Sikh guru, Guru Nankana AGE THEM FROM VISITING NANKANA SAHIB Libraries. Since then, Thrall Library has been Sahib, in his birthplace, Nankana Sahib, which THERE IS NO PLACE FOR SIKHS IN INDIAN ‘‘DE- one of two libraries in my Congressional Dis- is in present-day Pakistan. My good friend Dr. MOCRACY’’—PROFESSOR DARSHAN SINGH SAID trict to be provided with all federal government Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council AT NANKANA SAHIB, ‘‘IF A SIKH IS NOT A publications. of Khalistan, was among those in attendance. KHALISTANI, HE IS NOT A SIKH’’ In honor of their 100th anniversary and all of The government of Pakistan had issued 3,200 KHALSA JI: Last month, it was my privi- the great work that the Thrall Library has visas for Sikhs from Punjab to come across lege to attend the 531st birthday celebration

VerDate 112000 05:19 Dec 15, 2000 Jkt 089060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A14DE8.008 pfrm04 PsN: E14PT1 E2184 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 14, 2000 of Guru Nanak Sahib. I would like to thank The Congress Party is no better. It is the can the Sikh religion flourish. Only then can everyone involved for their hospitality. How- party that conducted the invasion and dese- the Sikh Nation finally enjoy the glow of ever, some Sikh pilgrims from Punjab who cration of the Golden Temple. Recently, freedom that is our birthright. Let us join tried to attend this important religious former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar hands to accomplish our goal of a free event were not so cordially treated. A major- said that there is no difference between the Khalistan by 2010. ity of the Sikhs were stopped at the Attari BJP and Congress, and he is right. Khalsa Ji, the responsibility is ours. We railway station on the border by 6000 police India’s genocide against the Sikh Nation must start a Khalsa Raj Party and begin a with lathis. 3200 pilgrims were beaten by the highlights the problem the Sikh Nation faces Shantmai Morcha to liberate Khalistan. We police and tear gas was used. Only 800 were without our own raj. The Indian government must stop supporting leaders who are under allowed to visit Nankana Sahib. It was very continues its effort to try to wipe the Sikh the control of the brutal Indian government. clear to the Sikhs that the Indian govern- religion out of existence. A free Khalistan is We must remember our heritage, ‘‘Khalsa ment does not want Sikhs to visit Guru essential for the survival of the Sikh Nation. Nanak’s birthplace. These Sikhs from Pun- There are still 50,000 Sikhs rotting in In- Bagi Yan Badshah.’’ Let us commit ourselves jab realize that they need a free and inde- dian jails without charge or trial. Yet the to liberate Khalistan and control our own pendent Khalistan so that no one can ever Sikh leaders have remained silent. Accord- destiny so that the Sikh Nation can flourish again stop them from participating in the ing The Politics of Genocide by Inderjit Singh and prosper. Support only those new leaders birthday celebration of Guru Nanak in Jaijee, over 250,000 Sikhs have been mur- who are honest, dedicated, fearless, and com- Nankana Sahib. dered at the hands of the Indian government mitted to freedom for Khalistan. Any other This harassment of Sikhs shows us again according to the Punjab State Magistracy, course is support for keeping the Khalsa that we need a sovereign, independent yet the Sikh leadership remains silent. Why Panth in slavery. Khalistan to visit our holy shrines, to pro- can’t they start a Shantmai Morcha to free Sincerely, tect our rights, our security, and our dig- the Sikh political prisoners? DR. GURMIT SINGH AULAKH, nity. Under Indian rule, Sikhs are not even The massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chithi President, allowed to visit Guru Nanak’s birthplace to Singhpora shows that without sovereignty, Council of Khalistan. celebrate his birthday. Sikhs are slaves the Indian oppression of the Sikh Nation will under Indian rule. As long as India continues continue. Two exhaustive investigations f to occupy our homeland, our slavery will have proven that the Indian government is continue. There is only one solution: a sov- responsible for this massacre. Now the In- ereign, free, and independent Khalistan. Only TRIBUTE TO ALLAN HOWE (D– dian government has even admitted that the in a free Khalistan can Sikhs live in free- UTAH), FORMER MEMBER OF alleged militants they killed were innocent. dom, dignity, prosperity, and peace. Without This atrocity underlines the need for a sov- THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENT- political power, nations perish. Professor ereign, independent Khalistan. The Indian ATIVES Darshan Singh Ragi, former Jathedar of the government has demonstrated that it can Akal Takht, said, ‘‘If a Sikh is not a conduct massacres of Sikhs whenever and Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.’’ We must re- wherever it wants. The Khalsa Panth must claim our lost sovereignty. If the BJP wants HON. JAMES V. HANSEN answer this wake-up call and free Khalistan. Hindu Raj, then why does it object to Khalsa Punjab is a police state. None of the polit- OF UTAH Raj? ical parties will bring us Khalistan. If we do The Sikh Nation is sovereign and ruled IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Punjab up to 1849 when the British took not show courage and liberate Khalistan, the over. Punjab was recognized by most of the coming generations of Sikhs will also live in Thursday, December 14, 2000 world’s major powers at that time. It was a slavery. They will not forgive us if we do not truly democratic, truly secular state, rule of liberate our homeland. Mr. HANSEN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased In Panjab, they will not procure your rice the Punjabis, by the Punjabis, for the today to pay special tribute to a gentleman crop. Farmers are forced to buy fertilizer at Punjabis. Maharajah Ranjit Singh had Mus- extremely high prices; then the government whom IÐand many of my colleaguesÐknew lims and Hindus in his cabinet and among buys up all their produce at artificially low and respected for many years. Our good his generals. Under his rule, religious shrines friend Allan Howe (D-Utah) passed away of all religions were built, with his support. prices to keep the farmers poor even though This is the kind of state that India claims to Panjab, with just two percent of the popu- today, December 14, 2000, after a valiant be, but is not. Behind the pretense of secular lation, produces over 60 percent of India’s struggle with heart disease. Some of you may democracy, India is a Hindu theocratic state wheat and rice reserves. The farmers of Pun- recall Allan from his service in the U.S. House that oppresses Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, jab should not have to live that way. In a of Representatives from 1975±77. Earlier this and others. free Khalistan, we can sell our produce any- year, Allan retired from his position as Wash- The Sikhs outside India are Khalistanis. where in the world to maximize our profit. We will not have to have our water diverted ington Representative for the National Park They are the ones who will free Khalistan. Hospitality Association after decades of valu- The present Akali leadership is under Indian to non-riparian states. Free Khalistan will government control. India will only allow bring economic prosperity for the farmers of able service. At NPHA, Allan worked tirelessly Akali leaders to come out of India if they toe Punjab in particular and other Punjabis in to make sure that we in the Congress under- the line of the Indian government. These general. Indian rule only means economic stood the concerns of the many businesses, Akali leaders are not welcome in foreign deprivation and slavery. large and small, that work as partners in serv- countries. India claims that it is a democracy, but ing the millions of visitors to our National there is more to democracy than elections. None of the political parties will lead Pun- Parks. We are grateful for those efforts. We jab, Khalistan to freedom. The Shiromani Democracies don’t commit genocide. If India Akali Dal, under the leadership of Chief Min- is a democracy, then why won’t it allow the also salute his years of public service, starting ister Badal, is in political coalition with the people of Punjab, Khalistan, Kashmir, and back home in Utah, where he worked as a militant Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata the other minority nations it occupies to city, county and state attorney, as Executive Party (BJP), which is part of the RSS, an or- vote on their political status in a free and Director of the four Corners Regional Develop- ganization founded in support of Fascism. fair plebiscite? ment Commission, and as an aide to the gov- Badal has not even kept the modest promises India is very unstable. India is on the verge ernor. Here on Capitol Hill he served the peo- of disintegration. It will disintegrate by the that he made to get elected: to free the polit- ple of Utah as well, as an administrative as- ical prisoners and to hold police officers re- year 2010. Kashmir is going to be free from sponsible for their actions in the genocide Indian control soon. As soon as Kashmir is sistant to Senator Frank Moss, and then as a against the Sikh Nation. Gurcharan Singh free, Khalistan will follow it. The only way Member of Congress himself, serving on what Tohra, leader of the All-India Akali Dal, to escape Indian slavery is to liberate are now the Resources and Transportation worked with the Indian government prior to Khalistan. New Sikh leadership must emerge and Infrastructure Committees. After leaving the attack on the Golden Temple and surren- to free the Sikh Nation. They should demand the Congress, he remained in Washington and dered to the Indian forces when they came self-determination. They should raise the worked on a variety of important issues, in- into the Sikh Nation’s holiest shrine. slogan ‘‘India Quit Khalistan’’ and start cluding solar energy, prior to focusing on Na- Simranjit Singh Mann was elected to Par- Shantmai Morcha until we achieve freedom. liament with the support of Badal after We have now seen how the India government tional Park matters. promising not to mention Khalistan. At the controls Sikh institutions and the entire Allan's career was marked by a deep love Sikh Day Parade in New York, Mann would Sikh leadership in Punjab. of this country and a strong appreciation of its not join in when the crowd chanted Unless the Sikh Nation brings back the magnificent natural wonders, both nurtured Sikh spirit and fight for truth and justice as ‘‘Khalistan Zinbabad.’’ Even U.S. Congress- from his earliest days as a boy in Utah. That man Major Owens joined in. Yet Mann would practiced by Guru Nanak, the Khalsa Panth not do so. This revealed his true colors. In will not prosper. Remember Guru required love of country and the great outdoors served 1989, he wrote to the Chief Justice of India the Khalsa to remove evil. Only in a free him and the people of this country very well pledging his support for India’s constitution Khalistan will Sikhs be able to live as re- for very many years. So, thank you, Allan, and and territorial integrity. quired by the Guru. Only in a free Khalistan Godspeed.

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