E1782 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 23, 1998 Association, The Cleveland Orchestra, Phan- Also in Punjab, Sikhs are picked up in the lars! It is time India is held accountable for its tasmagoria Gallery, Spanish American Com- middle of the night only to be found floating continued violation of basic human rights! mittees, Cuyahoga Community College, and dead in canals with their hands and feet The Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, ``untouch- the Westside Vet Center. bound together. Some Kikhs are only so fortu- ables,'' and women of India are desperately f nate, many are never found after their abduc- looking to this Congress for help. The time tion. has come for action, it is time for America to FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT Recently, the India Central Bureau of Inves- take a stand! FINANCING, AND RELATED PRO- tigation (CBI) told the supreme court that it Considering all this, the President still re- GRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, had confirmed nearly 1,000 cases of unidenti- quested $56.5 million in development assist- 1999 fied bodies that were cremated by the military! ance for India in fiscal year (FY) 1999. That is And it does not get any better in Kashmir. an increase of almost $1 million over last year. SPEECH OF Women, because of their Muslim beliefs, are As everyone is aware, as a result of India's HON. DAN BURTON taken out of their homes in the middle of the recent nuclear test, the President has imposed OF INDIANA night and are gang-raped while their husbands a broad range of sanctions on India for viola- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are forced to watch and wait inside at gun- tion of section 102(b) of the Arms Export Con- point. trol Act. Also known as the Nuclear Prolifera- Thursday, September 17, 1998 It was hoped that the new governments in tion Prevention Act of 1994, or more popularly, The House in Committee of the Whole Delhi and Punjab would stop the repression the Glenn AmendmentÐit prohibits a variety House on the State of the Union had under which the Indian Supreme Court describes as of assistance and commercial transactions be- consideration the bill (H.R. 4569) making ap- ``worse than a genocide!'' tween the U.S. and any country if the Presi- propriations for foreign operations, export fi- Mr. Speaker, opponents will say the recent dent determines that that countryÐif it is a nancing, and related programs for the fiscal election in Punjab of a Sikh dominated coali- non-nuclear-weapon stateÐhas detonated a year ending September 30, 1999, and for other tion and the fact that an ``untouchable'' is now nuclear explosive device. purposes. the President of India is evidence of their India has disregarded regional and inter- Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Chairman, democratic progress. national stability by placing missiles and ex- Today I want this Congress to focus on a gov- But, I can tell you that this new government ploding thermonuclear weapons, fission weap- ernment that has spent years practicing torture in Punjab is closely aligned with the ons, and hydrogen bombs near the Pakistan on its own people. However, when you go authoritiarian BJP Prime Minister Gudjaral of border. Indeed, their behavior has been clearly home and turn on the evening news, good India and India's ``untouchable'' president is unacceptable, and they are being properly luck trying to find any story that reveals this merely a figurehead. Mr. Speaker, would de- punished. I applaud the President for his for- particular human rights issue. And better luck mocracies continue the rampant campaign of titude. getting this administration to pay any attention genocide? And, if the President continues to follow to the plight of thousands of innocent civilians. On July 22, 1998, Baljit Singh, a Sikh youth through with the current law, this should send We speak of tragedies all over the world of Burj Dhillwan Village, died of complications a strong signal to the Indian Government that this time of the year. We speak of the strug- from torture-style brutality inflicted by the Pun- it is not going to be business as usual with the gles in Africa, Cambodia, and Burma. We rep- jab police. United States. rimand China for its draconian abortion poli- Also in July of 1998, police picked up Mr. Speaker, the American people are tired cies and illegal human organ sales. We threat- Kashmira Singh of the village of Khudial Kalan of helping bullies who punish their own people en to stop international military and edu- on the pretext that they were investigating a and threaten neighbors. India is still the 5th cational training (IMET) from Indonesia for theft. They then tortured him for 15 days. They largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid in the abuses in East Timor. We even criticize long- rolled logs over his legs until he couldn't walk; world; India is the world's largest borrower standing allies like Turkey for its treatment of they submerged him in a tub of water; and from the World Bank with more than $44 bil- its Kurdish citizens without addressing the bru- they slashed his thighs with razor blades and lion in loans; India votes against the U.S. at tal murders carried out by the PKK, a Kurdish stuffed hot peppers into the wounds. the United Nations more often than any other Marxist terrorist organization. On April 1, 1998, Brother Luke, a Roman country, except Cuba. Unfortunately, there is one human rights Catholic priest was murdered in the eastern It does not justify sending more hard-earned issue that continues to escape the attention of state of Bihar. His body was found with a bul- tax dollars to a country that claims to be the this administration, some Members of Con- let hole through the head. He was a member largest democracy in the world, but obviously gress and the media. That issue involves the of Mother Teresa's world-renowned charity or- shares none of our most cherished values. plight of the Sikhs in Punjab or Khalistan; the ganization. This is the fourth priest in 2 years Democracies don't commit genocide! plight of the Kashmiris; the plight of Christians that has been murdered in India. Let's put the brakes on the foreign aid gravy in Nagaland; and the plight of the ``untouch- On October 30, 1997, Reverend A.T. Thom- train to India! ables'', the lowest caste in India's caste sys- as was found beheaded also in Bihar, appar- Ask the President not to waver on his tem. ently killed for aiding the no-caste ``untouch- stance with India! Mr. Speaker, the Indian Government is one ables.'' Amnesty International has linked the f of the world's worst human rights abusers. Bihar state government to the murder of Rev. You may ask, well if that's true, why doesn't Thomas! The Catholic Bishops conference of 80 YEARS OF HISTORY OF McGEE the world know? India has criticized the government for doing AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, Since the 1970's, Amnesty International and nothing to protect Catholic priests and for fail- BERKELEY, CA 1918–98 other human rights groups have been barred ing to prosecute those responsible. from India. Mr. Speaker, even the Government On July 12, 1997, in Bombay, 33 Balits HON. BARBARA LEE of Cuba allows Amnesty into their country. (black untouchables) were killed by Indian po- OF CALIFORNIA In fact, there are half-million Indian soldiers lice during demonstrations. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES occupying Punjab, and another half-million On July 8, 1997, 36 people were killed in a Wednesday, September 23, 1998 troops occupying Kashmir. Since 1947, India train bombing in Punjab. Two ministers of the has killed over 200,000 Christians in Punjab Government have blamed the Punjab Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, from an idea con- Nagaland; 250,000 Sikhs in Punjab from police. The bombing occurred a day after 9 ceived by the late Reverend Silks Lincoln Till- 1984±1992; and 53,000 Muslims in Kashmir policemen were convicted of murder! man, a tiny Mission was organized in 1918 at since 1988. On March 5, 1997, a death squad picked up 1934 Bonita Avenue in Berkeley, California. For the last sixteen years, I have been com- Kashmir Singh, an opposition party member. The purpose of the Mission was to meet the ing to this well to call attention to Punjab, He was thrown in a van, tortured, and mur- spiritual needs of the citizens in the rapidly where the Indian military receives cash boun- dered. Finally, his bullet-ridden body was growing city of Berkeley. The name, Mt. ties for the slaughter of innocent children. And dumped out on the roadside. Pleasant, was given to the Mission because of to justify their actions, they are labeled ``terror- These military forces operate beyond the the great love Reverend Tillman had for Mt. ists''. law with complete impunity! Pleasant Baptist Church in his native home of According to our own State Department, Mr. Speaker, the United States should not Mississippi. Rev. Tillman served both as Pas- India paid over 41,000 cash bounties to police support a government that condones wide- tor and Sunday School Superintendent of Mt. for killing innocent people from 1991±1993! spread abuses with our hard-earned tax dol- Pleasant Mission. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1783 During the early years, several ministers I join in joyous celebration with Pastor Wil- and a life member of the NAACP, having re- were called to the church during the period son, the McGee Avenue Baptist Church mem- ceived that organization's ``Black Church Reli- from 1921 through 1930. In 1930, the church bers and its friends and look forward to contin- gious Leadership Award'' and its ``Distin- was moved from its original location to its ued growth, worship, grace and service to guished Service Award.'' present site on the corner of McGee Avenue God and the people. Mr. Speaker, as he prepares to depart St. and Stuart Streets in Berkeley. During the f Andrew's, Father Austin Cooper, Sr., will be Great Depression, the Mt. Pleasant Church remembered as a strong leader whose self- building was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt A SALUTE TO FATHER AUSTIN R. less devotion is unmatched. I have been privi- under the direction of Pastor C. Brown. In COOPER, SR. leged to share a special friendship with Father 1935, Reverend James Dee Wilson accepted Cooper and members of his family. He is the pastorate of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. HON. LOUIS STOKES someone whom I respect and admire. He is Through his leadership and ministry, Mt. OF OHIO also a confidant whose wisdom and guidance Pleasant became a moving force in the life of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has meant a great deal to me. I extend my Berkeley. In 1944, the name of the church best wishes to Father Cooper, his devoted Wednesday, September 23, 1998 was changed from Mt. Pleasant to McGee Av- wife of 37 years, Patty, and the Cooper chil- enue Baptist and incorporated during the Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to dren; Austin Rellins II, Angela and Patricia. I same year. rise today to pay tribute to Father Austin R. join the St. Andrew's Church family in wishing Reverend Wadie H. Sypert, serving in the Cooper, Sr. Later this month, Father Cooper, him Godspeed in the years to come. capacity of Assistant Pastor, accepted the call who serves as a rector at Saint Andrew's f as pastor of the Church in 1950. He was a Episcopal Church, will retire after 38 years of man of versatility and was an accomplished ministry and service to the church and com- DOLLARS TO THE CLASSROOM pastor as well as an educator. The mortgage munity. As Father Cooper prepares to depart, ACT of the Church was burned under his leader- the St. Andrew's Church family is hosting a SPEECH OF ship and Rev. Sypert retired in 1971. Rev- series of special events to commemorate Fa- erend James H. Stewart accepted the pas- ther Cooper's extraordinary and distinguished HON. ADAM SMITH torate in October 1971. He took the reins of career. I join St. Andrew's and the greater OF WASHINGTON leadership with enthusiasm and expanded the Cleveland community in saluting Father Coo- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES church programs to great proportions. He up- per on this occasion. I want to share with my Friday, September 18, 1998 graded the existing facilities and acquired ad- colleagues and the nation some information ditional properties. The House in Committee of the Whole regarding this outstanding individual. House on the State of the Union had under During the late 70's and early 80's the Austin Rellins Cooper, Sr., is the son of the church expanded its mission to feed the indi- consideration the bill (H.R. 3248) to provide late Benjamin and Louise Cooper. His parents Dollars to the Classroom. gent and unemployed. Two hundred to three were two very devout Anglicans from the Ba- hundred persons are provided hot meals three Mr. ADAM SMITH of Washington. Mr. Chair- hama Islands who came to America as teen- man, I would like to take this opportunity to days a week. After 21 years as pastor, Rev. agers. Father Cooper graduated from St. Stewart retired in June, 1992. On February 21, explain my support for the Dollars to the Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Caro- Classroom Act. As a strong supporter of local 1993, Rev. D. Mark Wilson was installed as lina, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in pastor of McGee Avenue Baptist Church. control of the public education system in our Sociology. He received his Master of Divinity country, I believe a top priority of Congress Within a 6-year period, Rev. Wilson has led degree from Seabury-Western Theological the Church to new heights. McGee Avenue should be to assure Federal funds for edu- Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. cation go to the local level where members of Baptists Church became a strong and well- Mr. Speaker, on September 15, 1970, Fa- represented Church in the American Baptist our community can determine the best use of ther Cooper was installed as rector at Saint these funds. In light of this view, I support the Churches USA and as a member of the Pro- Andrew's Episcopal Church. Before coming to gressive National Baptist Convention. concepts encompassed in this legislation of Cleveland as a pastor, Father Cooper held Under Pastor Wilson's administration, the block granting select education programs and other positions in the Episcopal Church includ- thousand members historic black Baptist assuring 95 percent of Federal funds go to the Church has strengthened spiritual witness and ing assignments which found him in Florida, local level. I will vote for this bill because I see fellowship with the congregation and in the New York and Texas. Father Cooper is greatly it as a step in the right direction. local community. The Church has received admired by his parishioners for his spiritual The underlying question we must ask in this funding from the City of Berkeley to expand its guidance, management of the church and debate is ``Do we believe in local control?'' If social justice ministries. It continues in collabo- leadership of the congregation. In fact, every we say that our local teachers, administrators, rative efforts with local community-based orga- place that Father Cooper has served has been and parents should have control over the edu- nizations in establishing outstanding programs touched by his determination and commitment. cation of students, we must carry though with for youth and adults: HIV and Aids Education, When Father Cooper was installed as rector that ideal and hand over the decision making Computer Literacy, Educational Aid and Bible of St. Andrew's Church, the parish was suffer- authority for education dollars to these individ- Study. ing financially. Undaunted, Father Cooper uals. I fundamentally believe in local control Pastor Wilson is well known throughout the wrote ``A Master Plan for St. Andrew's Parish.'' because the people in my community who country as a dynamic preacher, musician and The plan included parish renewal, neighbor- dedicate their lives to educating children know social justice activist. He has served on nu- hood outreach, property acquisition and eco- better than Members of Congress how funds merous boards and organizations as past nomic development. Under Father Cooper's could best serve our students. Chair of the Political Action and Human Rights leadership, an endangered church became a In addition, when I visit schools in my dis- Committee of the Progressive Baptist State financially sound institution that bought its trict, teachers and administrators tell me they Convention and a former Northern California mortgage ahead of time. need more funds for education and fewer reg- Regional Convenor of the American Baptist With Father Cooper at the helm, Saint An- ulatory requirements from the Federal Govern- Black Caucus. drew's Church has also been a beacon of light ment. This legislation begins to focus on the In 1996, the Church created the McGee Av- in the Cleveland community. The church has problem of Federal Government regulations enue Baptist Church Community Development placed a strong emphasis on education, pro- and takes step to eliminate the requirements Corporation for senior housing and facilities for viding mentoring and tutoring programs for the for funding with which teachers and adminis- the Church outreach program. Pastor Wilson, youth of our community. As a testament to his trators must comply. For example, I strongly with the congregation, defined the motto and efforts, I am proud to note that Father Cooper support the expansion of the ED±FLEX pro- mission statement of the Church. On Septem- has served longer than any other priest in the gram to all 50 States included in this bill. This ber 8, 1997, construction began on the McGee history of St. Andrew's. program provides the regulatory flexibility that Avenue Baptist Church Kitchen Remodeling In addition to his work at Saint Andrew's, the schools in my area are asking for and I and its completion assured the continuation of Father Cooper is a member of the Standing am an advocate of expansion. its food project. McGee Baptist Church estab- Committee of the Diocese of Ohio and he is I share the concerns of my Democratic col- lished a fully equipped Community Computer listed in Who's Who Among Black Americans leagues that historically block grants lead to Center, instituted Home Bible Studies and has and Notable Americans. Additionally, he is the cuts in funding over time. I plan to be vigilant licensed and ordained a growing number of cofounder and past president of the Union of in assuring that the Federal Government con- ministers of the gospel. Black Episcopalians, and the past president tinues to provide adequate education funding.