21826 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS October 6, 2000 [then Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Southern HONORING THE Yearwood, and Alison Krauss all have called Command] told you, the millions of tons of IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE ON the Opry stage home. These artists represent food and supplies that U.S. forces flew in and THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELE- just a fraction of the bright and talented per- gave out saved countless lives and helped to BRATION formers to grace the stage since its inception, literally rebuild entire regions from the whether at the War Memorial Auditorium, the ground up. HON. BOB CLEMENT Ryman Auditorium, or the Grand Ole Opry When Slobodan Milosevic unleashed a wave OF TENNESSEE House of today. of terror in Kosovo last year, America’s mili- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES My family has enjoyed an ongoing relation- tary was ready. We had soldiers in neigh- ship with the Grand Ole Opry over the years. boring countries preventing a wider war and Thursday, October 5, 2000 In fact my father, Governor Frank Clement, airlifting tons of food and supplies to save Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, today I honor enjoyed strong friendships with many Opry thousands of Kosovar refugees. We had sail- a sacred historic institution, the Grand Ole members, often enlisting their talents for polit- ors and marines on ships and submarines in Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, on the occasion ical rallies across the state. In addition, Gov- the Adriatic, and naval aviators flying into of its 75th Anniversary as the longest continu- ernor Clement traveled to Washington and those dangerous Balkans skies. And we had ously running live radio show in the world. The testified on behalf of when its airmen engaging in the most precise cam- Opry and its colorful cast of characters are lyrics were under fire by Congress in the paign in the history of air power. They con- known and loved by individuals across the 1950s. ducted the vast majority of those 38,000 globe. Like any sacred institution, the Opry has en- NATO sorties. They took to the skies for 78 As a native Nashvillian, born and reared in dured sorrow, grief, and loss. It has faced ad- days with only two planes lost and not a sin- Music City USA, I truly appreciate the signifi- versity and strain. There have been joyous gle combat casualty. And while that record cance of country music and its influence on so times and laughter. But the Opry has endured was not achieved without stress on certain many people. Country music and its cousins, throughout each season. In the 1980s, George assets, that is a historic achievement of bluegrass, folk, gospel, blues and rockabilly, Jones touched our hearts as he sang, ‘‘Who’s which our forces and the American people truly have captured the heart and soul of our Gonna Fill Their Shoes’’ about the legacy of should be enormously proud. great nation, offering songs that spring from country music and its legendary artists. Jones Indeed, the true measure of America’s the fabric of America. Country lyrics espouse singled out performers such as Lefty Frizzell, military is the job they do every day. In our history, our faith in God, our love of family, Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, short, America needs to know that the U.S. and our appreciation for the value of freedom Willie Nelson, and Roy Acuff in the tune. He Armed Forces are the best trained, best edu- and hard work. With these melodies and also mentioned the Opry in the song lyrics, in- cated, best led, most respected and finest themes, country music appeals to listeners of spiring a new generation of country artists to fighting force the world has ever seen. all ages and from all walks of life. carry the torch. I’d particularly like to recognize So in closing, I want to recite a page from To honor and highlight the significance of the contributions of Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stu- America’s past that I believe points the way country music, in 1990, I sponsored and art, and WSM announcer Eddie Stubbs for to ensuring our military strength in the fu- passed legislation designating October as promoting the cause of traditional music and ture. Half a century ago, this nation stood at Country Music Month. Now Country Music educating the next generation about our rich the hinge of history, an unprecedented time Month and Country Music Week are nationally heritage in this new millennium. of both promise and peril. There was the recognized events each year, celebrated by Throughout the years the Opry and its cast promise, our victory in the Second World millions of individuals. of performers, announcers, advertisers, and War. But there was also the peril, a dawning The Opry has inspired a country music fan musicians have inspired and entertained us Cold War. And America’s very survival de- fair phenomenon; been the focus of a theme each Friday and Saturday night. For these val- manded that we think anew and act anew. park, hotel complex, television networks, mag- ued contributions and cherished memories we And so to navigate the shoals of the century azines, and movies; infused the tourism indus- are forever grateful to the Opry and those who that lay ahead, Arthur Vanderberg, a Repub- try in Tennessee; and given us an incredible have called it ‘‘home.’’ We salute the Grand lican Senator from Michigan, joined with amount of memorable music. Yet, the Opry’s Ole Opry for 75 wonderful years and offer our Harry Truman, a Democratic President from beginnings were humble. sincerest wishes for continuous success in the Missouri, and the nation came together In 1925, the ‘‘solemn old judge’’ George D. years to come. around a common foreign and defense policy Hay moved from Chicago’s WLS Barn Dance Thank you and God bless you. to defend freedom and to create a Marshall to Nashville, where he began broadcasting f Plan and an alliance called NATO that would and hosting the show that would later become eventually win the Cold War. the Grand Ole Opry. Hay eventually would HONORING OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL Today, in the long wake of our triumph in coin the phrase, ‘‘Grand Ole Opry’’ about the WINNER STACY DRAGILA that long struggle, America again stands at program, instantly giving it a name that would the hinge of history. Again there is the endure forever. With WSM’s strong 100,000- HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE promise, of the world’s sole economic and watt clear channel signal, the Opry could be OF CALIFORNIA military superpower. Again there is the heard for hundreds of miles across the United IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES peril, the new threats of this new century. States by thousands of people. As the show And to chart the nation’s course in our time, brought performers of traditional music to the Thursday, October 5, 2000 William Cohen, a Republican Senator from stage, a new genre of music was officially Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I rec- Maine, joined with Bill Clinton, a Demo- born—country music. ognize a native of my congressional district cratic President from Arkansas, to help re- Those early 1920s Opry performers in- who has brought glory and honor to herself, store a spirit of bi-partisanship to defense cluded mainly instrumental talents such as her family, and her fellow Americans. I wish to policy and to ensure that when it comes to banjo player Uncle Dave Macon and har- congratulate Stacy Dragila on recently winning our men and women in uniform, politics does monica player Deford Bailey. In the 1930s and the gold medal in the first-ever Olympic Wom- indeed stop at the water’s edge. 40s, vocalists such as the ‘‘King of Country en’s Pole Vault Competition. Ladies and gentlemen, in recent years we Music’’ Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Hank Wil- Dragila grew up in Auburn, California, where have recognized that truth. We have worked liams, and Bill Monroe all took the stage, as she competed in goat roping as a child. As a with Congress to support and strengthen our did comedienne Minnie Pearl. heptathlete during her years on Placer High military. We have upheld our sacred pledge As the years passed, the talent pool grew School’s track and field team, she had little to care for America’s sons and daughters and the NBC Network picked up the show. idea that she would one day stand atop the who wear this nation’s uniform. That is the Such big names as Patsy Cline, Flatt and Olympic medals podium as a pole vault cham- message I wanted to bring to you today. Scruggs, Hank Snow, Hawkshaw Hawkins, pion. You see, when she was in high school, That is the message I hope you carry back to Jim Reeves, Red Foley, Marty Robbins, Mar- the pole vault was an event in which only your communities and the country. Thank tha Carson, , Johnny Wright, Bill male competitors took part. you very much. Anderson, , Dolly Parton, Porter As the women’s pole vault has finally taken Wagoner, Garth Brooks, Pam Tillis, Trisha root in the United States, Stacy has quickly

VerDate jul 14 2003 11:49 Jan 11, 2005 Jkt 039102 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0689 Sfmt 9920 E:\BR00\E06OC0.000 E06OC0 October 6, 2000 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 21827 established herself as the premier athlete in borders. We must stop American aid to India ‘‘The Politics of Genocide.’’ India also has her field. Each time she reaches a new per- and declare our support for self-determination killed more than 200,000 Christians in sonal best mark, she rewrites the world for the people of Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagalim, Nagaland since 1947, more than 70,000 Kash- miri Muslims since 1988 and tens of thou- record. In fact, while competing on her home and the other nations seeking their freedom, in sands of other minorities. Amnesty Inter- turf at this summer’s U.S. Olympic Trials in the form of a free and fair democratic plebi- national reports that thousands of political Sacramento, she set the current world record scite. These measures are the only ones we prisoners are being held without charge or 15′21⁄4″. By continually raising the bar, Stacy can take that will help to bring real freedom trial in ‘‘the world’s largest democracy.’’ has forced her competitors to push their own and democracy to the people of South Asia. I India is hostile to the United States. It limits as well. This resulted in an exciting duel submit the following article into the CONGRES- votes against America at the United Nations at this month’s Olympic Games in Sydney, SIONAL RECORD. more often than any country except Cuba. Australia. In the end, Dragila brought home In May 1999, the Indian Express reported [From the Washington Times, Sept. 27, 2000] that Indian Defense Minister George the gold with a vault of 15′1″. NO MILITANTS IN THE COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN Fernandes led a meeting with Cuba, China, At the age of 29, Stacy Dragila stands as an Manpreet Singh Nibber’s Sept. 16 letter, Iraq, Serbia, Russia and Libya to construct a Olympic champion and as an American hero. ‘‘India human rights criticism from unreli- security alliance ‘‘to stop the U.S.’’ Furthermore, as a pioneer in a new sport, she able source?’’ is so full of disinformation India openly supported the Soviet Union’s stands as a role model for those young that he must be fronting for the Indian Em- invasion of Afghanistan. Its nuclear weapons women who will strive to match her achieve- bassy in its effort to confuse the American test started the nuclear arms race in South ments on the field. Perhaps most importantly, people. Asia. It refuses to allow the Sikhs, however, she is, by all accounts, a world-class Mr. Nibber, who is a member of the Punjab Kashmiris, Christians and other minority Welfare Council of the USA, does not address nations seeking their freedom to decide their person as well as a world-class athlete. political future in a free and fair vote, the Today, I proudly join with Americans every- any of the facts we brought up in our last letter. Instead, he spreads Indian democratic way. where in saluting gold medalist Stacy Dragila. disinformation about the Council of America must not accept this kind of bru- f Khalistan and its origins. He knows there tality and tyranny from a government that are no ‘‘militants’’ involved in the council. claims to be democratic. We must cut off aid INDIAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD We consistently support the liberation of and trade to India and support a free and fair STOP ITS STATE TERRORISM Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared plebiscite to ensure human rights and self- its independence from India on Oct. 7, 1987, determination for Khalistan, Christian HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS by democratic, nonviolent means, through Nagalim, Kashmir and all the minority na- the Sikh tradition of ‘‘Shantmai morcha,’’ or tions and peoples living under Indian rule. OF NEW YORK peaceful agitation. f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Indian Embassy has interfered in Thursday, October 5, 2000 American elections, calling for the re-elec- PERSONAL EXPLANATION tion of former Sen. Larry Pressler and at- Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on September tempting to damage the re-election cam- 27, a letter from the Council of Khalistan was paign of Sen. Robert Torricelli. A few years HON. FLOYD SPENCE published in the Washington Times. It details ago, the Indian Embassy was caught giving OF SOUTH CAROLINA the propaganda spread by the Indian govern- illegal campaign donations to members of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ment to discredit its opponents. Congress through an immigration lawyer Thursday, October 5, 2000 That propaganda is necessary for the Indian named Lalit Gadhia, who pleaded guilty to government to cover up the atrocities and the scheme in federal court. Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall Nos. There are many other Gadhias throughout 503, 504 and 505, I was not present as I was state terrorism against Christians, Sikhs, and this country. Former Indian cabinet min- other minorities. Former Indian cabinet min- unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I ister R.L. Bhatia admitted in a 1995 news would have voted ‘‘yea’’ on all three. ister R.L. Bhatia admitted in 1995 that the In- conference that the Indian government is dian government is spending ‘‘large sums of spending ‘‘large sums of money’’ through the f money’’ to spread this propaganda and influ- embassy to influence American politics. But A LETTER TO MY SONS ence affairs in the United States. what is that money defending? Earlier this month, militant Hindu fundamen- On Sept. 8, militant Hindus attacked the talists attacked the home of a priest. They home of a priest and beat the priest and his HON. MARSHALL ‘‘MARK’’ SANFORD servant. The servant was so severely beaten beat him and his servant. The servant was OF SOUTH CAROLINA that he died of the injuries. On Aug. 25, News IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES beaten so badly that he died. Unfortunately, stories reported that militatnt Hindu nation- this kind of thing is not unusual. It is just the alists kidnapped and tortured a priest in Gu- Thursday, October 5, 2000 latest in a series of atrocities carried out by or- jarat, then paraded him naked through town. Mr. SANFORD. Mr. Speaker, in the final ganizations under the umbrella of the This attack was part of a wave of terror days of the 106th Congress and my time here Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), the against Christians since Christmas 1998. Incidents have included the murder of in the House, I rise today to pass these words parent organization of the ruling BJP. While on to my sons. Prime Minister Vajpayee was in New York dur- priests, the rape of nuns and the burning to death of nuns and the burning to death of a October 5, 2000. ing his recent visit to the U.S., he said, ‘‘I will missionary and his two sons in their van by DEAR MARSHALL, LANDON, BOLTON AND always be a Swayamsewak.’’ members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak BLAKE: I wanted to write this letter so that Last week, former Prime Minister Chandra Sang (RSS), the parent organization of the maybe in twenty years or maybe after I have Shekhar said that there is no difference be- ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Schools and died you could look it up and think about tween the ruling BJP and the supposedly sec- prayer halls have been attacked and de- how much your Dad loves you. I write this ular Congress Party. Unfortunately, from the stroyed. The individuals who raped the nuns letter as much as anything because I feel the point of view of the minorities in India, it is were described by the Vishwa Hindu need to pause and praise each of you and to say how proud I am of you and how much, true. There is no difference. Whoever is in Parishad, a militant organization within the RSS, as ‘‘patriotic youth.’’ The RSS was again, I love you. power, the repression continues. India has founded in support of fascism. That’s needed because over the last seven murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, In March, 35 Sikhs were murdered in the years all you have known is a world tied to over 200,000 Christians in Nagaland since village of Chithi Singh-pora in Kashmir. Two politics. For each of the words I spoke into 1947, over 70,000 Kashmiri Muslims since extensive independent investigations, one the record on the House floor, or in Com- 1988, and tens of thousands of Dalit ‘‘untouch- conducted by the Movement Against State mittee, I couldn’t expand time and also fill ables’’ and other minorities. Thousands of Repression and the Punjab Human Rights those minutes and hours with words to each Sikhs and other minorities are in illegal deten- Organization and another conducted by the of you. Each of the days I spent in Wash- ington were days I couldn’t spend with you. tion without charge or trial simply because Ludhiana-based International Human Rights Organization, proved that the Indian govern- Each of the evenings I spent at political they are opposed to the government, or be- ment was responsible for this massacre. events were evenings I couldn’t spend with cause they are members of a minority. The Indian government has murdered more you. I apologize for our time apart. Each of Mr. Speaker, it is time for India to stop its than 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, according to you as young men will one day discover your state terrorism against the minorities within its figures published in Inderjit Singh Jaijee’s calling—why God put you here—and in turn

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