October 31, 2001 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 21295 for his ambitious histories, ‘‘The Catskills: We should support democracy in South Asia and stalking. The Act also reauthorizes critical From Wilderness to Woodstock’’ and ‘‘Wood- in the form of a free and fair plebiscite with grant programs created by VAWA of 1994 and stock: History of an American Town,’’ as well international monitoring on the question of subsequent legislation, establishes new pro- as ‘‘In Catskill Country: Collected Essays on independence for Khalistan, Kashmir, grams, and strengthens federal laws. Mountain History, Life and Lore.’’ Mr. Evers Nagaland, and the other countries seeking I am proud to say that Congress has recog- authored more than fifty children’s books, their freedom from Indian. This will provide the nized that women and children victims of do- which were illustrated by his wife, Helen. opportunity for every one in the subcontinent mestic violence deserve enhanced protection. These books helped bring his deep interest in to live in freedom, dignity, peace, and pros- But we must also take additional steps—we ecology and nature to young people. Alf also perity. That is the best way to promote stability must continue to raise awareness. Socially, served as associate editor of the New York in South Asia. we must emphasize that women have choices. Folklore Quarterly and wrote articles for the I would like to place an article from Burning Traditional ideology has forced women to re- New York Conservationist. Punjab on the complaint into the RECORD at main in dangerous and even fatal situations. Over the years, Alf Evers’ imagination and this time. Women are not the only one in a marriage re- chronicling of the stories of the Catskills have sponsible for its success. Stress, alcohol, HARASSMENT CONTINUES: FORGED CRIMINAL problems at work, and unemployment does inspired people to embrace a sense of place CASE FILED AGAINST ‘‘BURNING PUNJAB’’ by bringing their history to life. An article from not justify the abuser’s behavior. A woman’s Jalandhar—A forged criminal case against identity and worth is not based upon getting several years ago sums up the style of Alf’s web site Burning Punjab’ has been filed in and keeping a man. An abuser’s ‘‘lucid mo- writings: ‘‘Local histories fall into two cat- the Court of Judicial Magistrate Mohinder ments’’ from violence does not make him a egories: useful, but unreadable, chronicles of Singh deputed in Jalandhar Courts. The case ‘‘good man’’. Divorce is a viable alternative. train arrivals and departures or dates of referred Burning Punjab News’ on-line web And it’s okay for family members to intervene deeds; or stories that set a reader down in a news as a newspaper’ published from Chandigarh, just to cover the Burning Pun- and get help for the victims. Choices empower place and transform them into residents. jab staff under India Penal Code. One women to be strong and courageous enough Evers’ work is of the latter category.’’ Alf’s Lashkar Singh has filed the case: DIG of to leave a bad situation and make a better life writing and scholarship have truly set a high Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of In- for themselves and their children. standard of excellence for regional history, dian Hindu Regime. We must also understand the reasons that which he has made accessible to generations It is pertinent to mention that Burning compel abusers to carry on their outrageous of readers through his skillful and well-re- Punjab web site is aired through European behavior. The abuser continues his behavior and American based servers and satellites. searched narratives. because violence is an effective method for Mr. Speaker, I am proud to pay tribute to Alf It’s registered address is located in United Kingdom but with a motive to harass human gaining and keeping control over another per- for his tenacity and hard work in recording the rights activists working for Burning Punjab son. The abuser objectifies women, sees stories of our past. I appreciate his commit- web site, Indian Police have now manipu- women as property, and does not respect ment to landscape preservation, nature, and lated forge case against them by alleging women as a group. Historically, punishment the arts. The wealth of knowledge that Alf has that Burning Punjab News is a daily news- for this type of violence has lacked severity shared with readers and residents over many paper published from Chandigarh. Whereas and thus deterrent for such behavior. years has truly made him a national treasure, no such newspaper’ published from We must also provide women with more re- and I thank him for his great service. Chandigarh. sources. Most battered women have children, A formal representation has been sent to f are not employed outside of the home, have Chief Justice of Supreme Court and the High Court, urging them to take initiative and no property that are solely theirs, and lack ac- INDIA FILES FAKE CRIMINAL cess to cash or bank accounts. There exist 3 CASE AGAINST BURNING PUNJAB prevent abusing human right activists and also legal process of the land. times more animal shelters than battered WEBSITE women’s shelters in the United States. We f must work to ensure that women have the HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS support system to permit them to leave an OF NEW YORK MONTH abusive relationship. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, our country has come a long way from not treating domestic violence Wednesday, October 31, 2001 HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE against women and children as a ‘‘real’’ crime OF TEXAS Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I was distressed to passing the Violence Against Women Act. to learn that the government of India, which IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES But our efforts must continue to raise aware- calls itself ‘‘the world’s largest demoncracy,’’ Wednesday, October 31, 2001 ness of this very urgent issue. has filed a criminal case against the website Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, f Burning Punjab, which reports news about the we gather tonight to recognize this month of REMARKS OF ISRAELI AMBAS- abuse of Sikhs in Punjab, Khalistan by the In- October as Domestic Violence Awareness SADOR DAVID IVRY AT THE ME- dian government. The website can be found at Month. MORIAL SERVICE FOR YITZHAK http://www.burningpunjab.com/news.html Domestic violence against women remains AND LEAH RABIN The government made the case fit under In- an epidemic in the United States as well as dian law by falsely claiming that Burning Pun- around the world. A UNICEF study shows that jab is ‘‘a newspaper published from up to half of the female population of the world HON. TOM LANTOS Chandigarh.’’ There is no newspaper pub- becomes the victims of domestic violence. OF CALIFORNIA lished, just online news, and Burning Punjab One in every two women is victimized! IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES uses services in the United States and Britain In our own backyard, the statistics are unbe- Wednesday, October 31, 2001 to publish its news. The case was filed by the lievable. According to a Department of Justice Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, the distin- Deputy Inspector General of the terrorist Cen- released on October 28, 2001, women in their guished Ambassador of Israel to the United tral Reserve Police Force. Previously, viewing mid-teens to mid-20’s are three times as likely States had a most personal and longstanding Burning Punjab had been prohibited in several to be attacked by a significant other than an relationship with Israel’s late, great Prime Min- states in northwest India, including Punjab, older women. However, middle-aged women ister Yitzhak Rabin. It is with deep reverence Delhi, and Chandigarh. This is clearly a case between the ages of 35–49 are the most likely for what Yitzhak Rabin stood for that I share filed to harass Burning Punjab for reporting to be killed by an intimate partner than young- Ambassador Ivry’s comments with my col- news the government does not like. I’m sorry, er women. One in 10 girls killed between the leagues. Mr. Speaker, but I fail to see the difference ages of 12 and 15 dies at the hands of her REMARKS OF ISRAELI AMBASSADOR DAVID between this action by ‘‘the world’s largest de- boyfriend or significant other. IVRY AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR mocracy’’ and the repression of the press in The Violence Against Women Act of 2000, YITZHAK AND LEAH RABIN the most tyrannical dictatorships of the world. signed by President Clinton on October 28, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR DAVID IVRY If this is how India treats those who expose 2000, improves legal tools and programs ad- It is with a heavy heart that I stand before its corruption and brutality, it is no democracy. dressing domestic violence, sexual assault, you today, and pay tribute to a couple whose

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