E2178 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks October 18, 2007 At 6 p.m. on October 11, 2007, Lt. Marc many of whom will suffer from life long injuries member of the Riverside Unified School Dis- Tunstall and Ensign Jason Evans, pilot and that have no medical or technological resolu- trict Board of Education. co-pilot of a Coast Guard HH–60 Jayhawk hel- tions—including blindness, deafness, Post- Mrs. Maxine Frost graduated from Stanford icopter found the downed F/A–18 Hornet near- Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic University with a bachelor’s degree in history ly 80 miles off Cape Henry, Virginia. Rescue Brain Injury. In the great State of Maryland and has been a resident and active member swimmer Petty Officer 2nd Class Mike alone, we continue to mourn the deaths of 70 of the Riverside community since 1958. Mrs. Ackermann was dispatched to retrieve the service members and our prayers go out to Frost’s interest in education began with her in- pilot from the ocean, whereupon the rescued over 392 brave men and women in uniform volvement in the education of her children. pilot was hoisted in the helicopter by flight me- who suffer from wounds gained on the battle- She was an active mother who served on var- chanic Petty Officer 3rd Class Steven Acuna. field of Iraq. ious school committees. In 1967, the Presi- The rescued pilot was transported to Sentara Mr. Speaker, as we look back over the last dent of the Riverside Unified School District Norfolk General Hospital where he is in stable five years we can only point to meager ac- Board of Education selected Maxine to fill a condition, with only minor injuries from the complishments while the overwhelming factor vacancy on the Board of Education. During crash. that shatters the forefront of our memory is the her tenure, Mrs. Frost witnessed history in- Madam Speaker, this successful rescue is onslaught of bloodshed, further internal and cluding the desegregation of the Riverside one of nearly 360 search and rescue missions external displacement of the Iraqi people, fur- school district. Maxine went on to serve on the executed every year by the men and women ther corruption of the Iraqi government and California School Boards Association and in of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City. In further strained relations in the Middle East 1981 she was elected President of the organi- the last 60 years, the Air Station has rescued due in large part to the President’s stubborn zation. or assisted over 10,000 people. I am proud course of military operations in Iraq. During her tenure on the Board, Maxine has that Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City is In fact, corruption within the Iraqi govern- been elected by her fellow board members to located in my district, and more proud of the ment is as bad as ever and has become what serve as board president, vice-president and exemplary work and bravery exhibited by the has been described by Stuart Bowen, the U.S. clerk. One of Maxine’s many success stories men and women who save hundreds of lives State Department’s Special Inspector for Re- is the creation and development of the AVID each year. I ask my colleagues to join me in construction in Iraq as a ‘second insurgency’ program: Achievement Via Individual Deter- paying tribute to the commendable work of Lt. threatening to undermine U.S. and Iraqi efforts mination. AVID offers average students the Tunstall, Ensign Evans, Petty Officer 2nd to build a stable democracy. As concluded by opportunity to take college prep classes while Class Ackermann and Petty Officer 3rd Class the Iraqi Commission for Public Integrity, cor- teaching them study techniques and team- Acuna. ruption cases have increased by a staggering work. f 70 percent in the last year, despite the Admin- Mrs. Frost’s involvement in the community is istration’s efforts to quell these concerns by not limited to education; she has also dedi- EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE layering them in bureaucratic red tape and cated her time to many other organizations HOUSE REGARDING WITH- retroactively labeling unwarranted information that improve our quality of life including the HOLDING OF INFORMATION RE- as being classified. Riverside Art Alliance, Junior League of River- LATING TO CORRUPTION IN IRAQ As such, I congratulate my colleagues on side, League of Women Voters and the Na- passing H. Res. 734, which is a step in the tional Charity League. One reflection of SPEECH OF right direction. Specifically, this legislation Maxine’s many contributions to the community HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS sends a strong message to the Administration are the countless awards and honors she has OF MARYLAND that anti-democratic practices will not be toler- received over the years. Recently the River- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ated. It also sends a message to the Iraqi side Unified School District Board of Education Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Government that the U.S. Government will not voted to name a school after Maxine, a vote sit idly by as Americans continue to sacrifice which required the Board to make an excep- Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, five years their lives at the expense of sustaining a mis- tion to its policy which requires that a person ago today, President George W. Bush signed managed Iraqi Government. be deceased for two years before a facility into law the ‘‘Joint Resolution to Authorize the Considering the ongoing corruption in Iraq, it can be designated. Use of United States Armed Forces Against is clear that our military can not do what Mrs. Maxine Frost’s tireless passion for Iraq,’’ H.J. Res. 114. should be the job of ambassadors, foreign dig- community service has contributed immensely In the House, the bill passed on October 10, nitaries and heads of state. to the betterment of the community of River- 2002, by a vote of 296–133. I was one of 126 As we look to the future, I hope that the Ad- side, California. She has been the heart and Democrats who voted against this grossly mis- ministration will shift from these failed policies soul of the Riverside Unified School District guided bill, concluding that further diplomacy in Iraq to a new policy that is fundamentally Board of Education and many other commu- was needed over a U.S. military strike. diplomatic and weighs heavily on the assist- nity organizations. I am proud to call Maxine And today—I remain unyielding in my ance of the international community. a fellow community member, American and stance that diplomacy, rather than military ac- We owe this to our brave soldiers, their fam- friend. I know that many community members tion is the answer to creating political reconcili- ilies and friends, the American people, and to are grateful for her service and salute her as ation in Iraq. the people of Iraq. she retires. We must implement a diplomatic strategy f f that is framed upon the doorway of the U.N. and hinges on the Arab League, the Organiza- TRIBUTE TO MAXINE PIERCE INDIA IS A DEFICIENT tion of the Islamic Conference, U.S. allies and FROST DEMOCRACY the will of the Iraqi people. Mr. Speaker, as the Iraq Study Group con- HON. KEN CALVERT HON. DAN BURTON cluded, a diplomatic strategy of gaining multi- OF CALIFORNIA OF INDIANA lateral and bilateral support throughout the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES international community, especially with Iraq’s neighboring states will help marginalize ex- Thursday, October 18, 2007 Thursday, October 18, 2007 tremists and terrorists, promote U.S. values Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I and interests, and improve America’s global to honor and pay tribute to an individual was extremely disappointed today to see the image. whose dedication and contributions to the Human Rights Watch had to issue a statement Unfortunately, to date, the President’s new community of Riverside, California has been calling on the Government of India to finally strategy is not a new strategy at all and con- exceptional. The Riverside educational com- take concrete steps to hold accountable mem- tinues the same failed plan that was utilized munity has been fortunate to have dynamic bers of its security forces who killed, ‘‘dis- prior to the surge. His failed plan has resulted and dedicated community leaders who will- appeared,’’ and tortured thousands of Sikhs in over 3,800 U.S. soldiers being killed and ingly and unselfishly give their time and talent during its military campaign in the Punjab. I over 27,000 American soldiers being wound- for the betterment of our children. Maxine was disappointed because India should al- ed. Frost is one of these individuals. On Decem- ready be doing this. I was disappointed be- Additionally, at least 150,000 of our service ber 8, 2007, Maxine will be honored at a re- cause this call to action is simply further proof members have been victims of concussions, tirement dinner after serving 40 years as a that India—which prides itself on being the

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:26 Oct 19, 2007 Jkt 069060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A18OC8.019 E18OCPT1 bajohnson on PROD1PC71 with REMARKS October 18, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2179 world’s most populous democracy—is in re- forces committed serious human rights ‘‘The trial has been proceeding . . . with ality a highly deficient democracy; and that it abuses against tens of thousands of Sikhs. very little evidence being recorded at each has yet to do what it legally and morally must None of the key architects of this hearing, and with two to three months be- counterinsurgency strategy who bear sub- do; which is to clean up its atrocious human tween hearings. During this time, key wit- stantial responsibility for these atrocities nesses have died.’’ rights record. have been brought to justice. After Mohinder Singh’s son Jugraj Singh The massive human rights violations of the ‘‘Impunity in India has been rampant in was killed in an alleged faked armed encoun- Indian Government have been well docu- Punjab, where security forces committed ter between security forces and separatists mented. In fact, according to the Department large-scale human rights violations without in January 1995, he pursued numerous ave- of State’s 2006 Human Rights Report for any accountability,’’ said Brad Adams, Asia nues of justice. He brought his case before India: ‘‘Major problems included extrajudicial director at Human Rights Watch. ‘‘No one the Punjab & Haryana High Court and the killings of persons in custody, disappearances, disputes that the militants were guilty of CBI Special Court, but no police officer was numerous human rights abuses, but the gov- charged. A CBI investigation found that torture and rape by police and security forces. ernment should have acted within the law The lack of accountability permeated the gov- Jugraj Singh had been killed and cremated instead of sanctioning the killing, ‘dis- by the police. However, 11 years and a few in- ernment and security forces, creating an at- appearance,’ and torture of individuals ac- quiry reports later, the CBI court ended mosphere in which human rights violations cused of supporting the militants.’’ Mohinder Singh’s pursuit for accountability often went unpunished. Although the country A key case discussed in detail in the report by dismissing his case in 2006. Mohinder has numerous laws protecting human rights, is the Punjab ‘‘mass cremations case,’’ in Singh describes his interactions with the enforcement was lax and convictions were which the security services are implicated in CBI: thousands of killings and secret cremations ‘‘On one occasion when [the officer] from rare.’’ Again, these are not my words; this is throughout Punjab to hide the evidence of the CBI came to my house, he told me that from the State Department’s official report on wrongdoing. The case is currently before the I wasn’t going to get anything out of this. Human Rights. National Human Rights Commission, a body Not justice and not even compensation. He Although relations between India and the specially empowered by the Supreme Court further said that: ‘I see you running around to address this case. However, the commis- United States have been rocky in the past, pursuing your case. But you shouldn’t get sion has narrowed its efforts to merely es- since 2004 Washington and New Delhi have into a confrontation with the police. You tablishing the identity of the individuals been pursuing a ‘‘strategic partnership’’ based have to live here and they can pick you up at who were secretly cremated in three any time.’ He was indirectly threatening on shared values such as democracy, multi- crematoria in just one district of Punjab. It me.’’ culturalism, and rule of law. In addition, nu- has rejected cases from other districts and merous economic, security and globally fo- has ignored the intentional violations of Human Rights Watch and Ensaaf expressed cused initiatives, including plans for ‘‘full civil- human rights perpetrated by India’s security concern that the Indian government con- ian nuclear energy cooperation,’’ are currently forces. For more than a decade, the commis- tinues to cite the counterinsurgency oper- sion has failed to independently investigate ations in Punjab as a model for preserving underway. I support these initiatives but I re- national integrity. main deeply concerned about the numerous a single case and explicitly refuses to iden- tify any responsible officials. ‘‘The government’s illegal and inhuman serious problems that remain when it comes ‘‘The National Human Rights Commission policies in the name of security have allowed to India’s respect for the rights of all of her citi- has inexplicably failed in its duties to inves- a culture of impunity to prevail that has zens. tigate and establish exactly what happened brutalized its police and security forces,’’ Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent in Punjab,’’ said Adams. ‘‘We still hold out said Kaur. to place a copy of the Human Rights press re- hope that it will change course and bring The report suggests a comprehensive framework to address the institutionalized lease into the RECORD at this time. I urge my justice to victims and their families.’’ impunity that has prevented accountability colleagues to read it and remember it and as The report discusses the case of Jaswant Singh Khalra, a leading human rights de- in Punjab. The detailed recommendations in- the United States and India move towards fender in Punjab who was abducted and then clude establishing a commission of inquiry, a greater cooperation in numerous endeavors to murdered in October 1995 by government offi- special prosecutor’s office, and an extensive insist that India live up to its moniker and ad- cials after being held in illegal detention for reparations program. here to the full expression of democracy and almost two months. Despite credible eye- ‘‘The Indian government needs to send a basic human rights; especially for members of witness testimony that police chief KPS Gill clear message to its security services, ethnic or religious minorities. was directly involved in interrogating courts, prosecutors, and civil servants that Khalra in illegal detention just days prior to it neither tolerates nor condones gross INDIA: TIME TO DELIVER JUSTICE FOR Khalra’s murder, the Central Bureau of In- human rights violations under any cir- ATROCITIES IN PUNJAB vestigation has thus far refused to inves- cumstances,’’ said Adams. ‘‘This requires a DELHI.—The Indian government must take tigate or prosecute Gill. In September 2006, comprehensive and credible process of ac- concrete steps to hold accountable members Khalra’s widow, Paramjit Kaur, filed a peti- countability that delivers truth, justice, and of its security forces who killed, ‘‘dis- tion in the Punjab & Haryana High Court reparations to its victims, who demand noth- appeared,’’ and tortured thousands of Sikhs calling on the CBI to take action against ing more than their rights guaranteed by In- during its counterinsurgency campaign in Gill. More than a year later, she is still wait- dia’s constitution and international law.’’ the Punjab, Human Rights Watch and Ensaaf ing for a hearing on the merits. said in a new report released today. ‘‘Delivering justice in Punjab could set f In order to end the institutional defects precedents throughout India for the redress HONORING ROBERT C. THOMPSON that foster impunity in Punjab and else- of mass state crimes and superior responsi- where in the country, the government should bility,’’ said Jaskaran Kaur, co-director of take new legal and practical steps, including Ensaaf. ‘‘Indians and the rest of the world HON. FRANK R. WOLF the establishment of a commission of in- are watching to see if the current Indian OF VIRGINIA quiry, a special prosecutor’s office, and an government can muster the political will to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES extensive reparations program. do the right thing. It if fails, then the only The 123-page report, ‘‘Protecting the Kill- conclusion that can be reached is that the Thursday, October 18, 2007 ers: A Policy of Impunity in Punjab, India,’’ state’s institutions cannot or will not take examines the challenges faced by victims on the security establishment. This has Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I want to call and their relatives in pursuing legal avenues grave implications for Indian democracy.’’ to the attention of the House the outstanding for accountability for the human rights Victims and their families seeking justice public service of Robert C. Thompson of abuses perpetrated during the government’s face severe challenges, including prolonged McLean, Virginia, in my congressional district, counterinsurgency campaign. The report de- trials, biased prosecutors, an unresponsive as he prepares to retire this month. scribes the impunity enjoyed by officials re- judiciary, police intimidation and harass- sponsible for violations and the near total Mr. Thompson has contributed more than ment of witnesses, and the failure to charge 30 years of public service to our Nation, most failure of India’s judicial and state institu- senior government officials despite evidence tions, from the National Human Rights Com- of their role in the abuses. recently as Deputy Director for Management mission to the Central Bureau of Investiga- Tarloehan Singh described the hurdles he and Administration of the Naval Criminal In- tion (CBI), to provide justice for victims’ has faced in his now 18–year struggle before vestigative Service, which he helped com- families. Indian courts for justice for the killing of his pletely restructure from the ground up fol- Beginning in the 1980s, Sikh separatists in son, Kulwinder Singh: lowing 9/11. He has proven himself a pio- Punjab committed serious human rights ‘‘I used to receive threatening phone calls. abuses, including the massacre of civilians, The caller would say that they had killed neering, tireless leader in the Navy’s efforts to attacks upon Hindu minorities in the state, thousands of boys and thrown them into ca- combat terrorism around the globe. and indiscriminate bomb attacks in crowded nals, and they would also do that to Robert Thompson began his career in the places. In its counterinsurgency operations Kulwinder Singh’s wife, kid, or me and my Army, where he saw armed conflict in Viet- in Punjab from 1984 to 1995. Indian security wife . . . nam, and was stationed in the Republic of

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