E752 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 8, 2001 The significance of Fort Osage is not limited been able to re-establish contact with the ness.’’ They risked their lives to help the peo- to Lewis and Clark. Both the Yellowstone Ex- Kalmyk people in the Russian Federation. For ple of Southeast Asia because they were in pedition and the Long Expedition visited the the past ten years, a wide exchange has been danger and had their human rights taken Fort in 1819. The Long Expedition brought the developed between relatives, students and away. I ask you to join me today in recog- first steamboat, Western Engineer. Only years professionals. nizing these heroic figures who proved to us later, William Becknell arrived at Fort Osage, Mr. Speaker, our country is so much richer the meaning of bravery and diligence. using the site as mile marker ‘‘0’’ for the Santa for the presence of our Kalmyk-American citi- Fe trail, again distinguishing the importance of zens. I urge my colleagues to join me and my f the Fort in relation to commerce in the west. colleagues Mr. HOYER, Mr. PITTS, Mr. CARDIN, Due to the area’s historical significance, the Mr. WAMP, and Mr. HASTINGS, in congratu- DAY Fort Osage Education Center was proposed lating the Kalmyk-American community on the as part of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial fiftieth anniversary of their settlement in the Commemoration. The Education Center was United States by cosponsoring and supporting HON. DAN BURTON recently recognized by the Lewis and Clark Bi- this resolution. OF INDIANA centennial Commission as the priority project f IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES in Missouri and I am honored to have this his- torical site in my district. I look forward to the IN HONOR OF THE MEMBERS OF Tuesday, May 8, 2001 events surrounding the bicentennial com- THE STRATEGIC TECHNICAL DI- memoration at Fort Osage and in other areas RECTORATE COMMANDOS FAM- Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, the of the 6th District of Missouri. I join the Mis- ILY TORRANCE, CA recently celebrated their important holi- souri Bicentennial Commission, the Missouri day of Vaisakhi Day. It is the 302nd birthday Department of Conservation and the United HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ of the Sikh Nation. On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, , the last of the , States Geological Survey in full support of the OF CALIFORNIA formed the Panth. He blessed them proposed Fort Osage Education Center. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES with the blessing ‘‘Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,’’ which f Tuesday, May 8, 2001 means, ‘‘the Khalsa shall rule.’’ RESOLUTION ON KALMYK Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to The Sikhs consider Vaisakhi a very impor- SETTLEMENT IN AMERICA pay tribute to a very extraordinary group of tant holiday. It is effectively the Sikh national members who are being commemorated for holiday. As this Vaisakhi Day passed, how- HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH the Presidential Unit Citation. These heroic ever, the Sikh Nation still lives in slavery. members of the Strategic Technical Direc- OF NEW JERSEY Sikhs ruled from 1765 to 1849. They torate Commandos Family passionately and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ran a secular state with religious tolerance. diligently sacrificed their lives for ‘‘life, liberty, Sikhs, Muslims, and Hindus participated in the Tuesday, May 8, 2001 and the pursuit of happiness’’ for the people of government. When the British vacated the Southeast Asia. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, subcontinent, the Sikhs were to receive sov- During the Vietnam War, the people of today I am introducing a resolution congratu- ereign power, but they were taken in by the Southeast Asia and the fighting soldiers of the lating the Kalmyk people in the United States false promises of Nehru and Gandhi that they United States faced many challenges that on the fiftieth anniversary of their settlement in would have freedom in Punjab. No Sikh rep- jeopardized their lives. But in 1964, the Stra- this country. The resolution also encourages resentative has ever signed the Indian con- tegic Technical Directorate (the U.S. joint serv- continuing scholarly and educational ex- stitution, and many Sikhs are demanding their ices command) was created to help the U.S. changes between the Russian Federation and independence, as declared on October 7, and Southeastern Asian soldiers to fight for the United States to encourage better under- 1987. Although they seek this peacefully, India freedom. The Strategic Technical Directorate standing and appreciation of the Kalmyk peo- considers anyone who speaks out for a sepa- included the best selected group of officers. ple and their contributions to the history and rate Sikh state, called Khalistan, to be a ‘‘ter- The members showed their intelligence, com- culture of both countries. rorist.’’ Instead, it is India that has used the The Kalmyks were originally an ethnic Mon- mitment, and bravery in combat. They self- tools of terrorism. golian nomadic people who have inhabited the lessly risked their own lives in hopeless situa- Russian steppes for around 400 years. The tions to save others. For example, in 1974, the A new report from the Movement Against present Kalmyk Republic of the Russian Fed- North Vietnamese Army attacked the city of State Repression shows that the Indian gov- eration is located north of the Caspian sea in Phuoc Long. 250 Airborne Rangers came to ernment holds, by its own admission, at least southern Russia. During World War II, the the rescue, but they faced brutal assaults from 52,268 political prisoners under the illegal and Kalmyk people were one of the seven ‘‘pun- the North Vietnamese Army and lost contact expired ‘‘Terrorist and Disruptive Activities ished peoples’’ exiled en masse by Stalin to with the Strategic Technical Directorate. After Act,’’ called TADA. Both the Movement ‘‘special settlements’’ in Siberia and Central a four-day search, the Strategic Technical Di- Against State Repression and Amnesty Inter- Asia for allegedly collaborating with the Nazis. rectorate found only 50 percent of their sur- national have confirmed that tens of thou- There were about 170,000 deportees. After viving members in the city. Another example is sands of political prisoners are being held World War II, several hundred Kalmyks who during April 1975. The Strategic Technical Di- without charge or trial. Some of them have managed to escape the Soviet Union were rectorate’s Special Missions Services went to been in jail since 1984. According to The Poli- held in Displaced Persons camps in Germany. the city of Phan Rang, where the North Viet- tics of Genocide by respected human-rights For several years, they were not allowed to namese were attacking the city. 100 of their worker Inderjit Singh Jaijee, the Indian govern- emigrate to the United States because of prej- additional commandos were captured by the ment since 1984 has murdered over 250,000 udice against their Mongolian ethnicity. North Vietnamese Army. Then the remaining Sikhs. They join thousands of Christians, Mus- However, on July 28, 1951, the Attorney Strategic Technical Directorate units went to lims, Dalits, and others who have been killed General of the United States issued a ruling defend Saigon. By the final days of April, the at the hands of the Indian government. which cleared the way for the Kalmyk people North Vietnamese Army surrounded the cap- In the spirit of Vaisakhi, the U.S. Congress in the Displaced Persons camps in Germany ital. The Strategic Technical Directorate did should support freedom for the Sikh Nation to enter the United States. In the fifty years not give up. 500 SMS commandos, the head- and the other nations of South Asia who are since their arrival, the Kalmyk emigres and quarters personnel, and the Liaison Service seeking their sovereignty and independence. their descendants have survived and pros- barged in and fought until capitulation on April We must support a free and fair plebiscite in pered. Moreover, they are the first community 30. These two examples prove how the mem- Punjab, Khalistan, on the question of inde- of Tibetan Buddhists to settle in the United bers of STD risked their lives and put 100 per- pendence and also plebiscites for Kashmir, as States. While adapting to much of America’s cent of their diligence and commitment in win- India promised in 1948, for Nagalim, and for diverse and modern culture, the Kalmyk have ning the freedom for Southeast Asia. all the nations living under Indian occupation. also sought to preserve their own unique tradi- The members of the Strategic Technical Di- We should also cut off American aid until India tions. Many continue to practice the Tibetan rectorate Commandos Family will not be for- learns to respect its own laws and the basic Buddhist religion. gotten, but be remembered and honored, for human rights of all people. Let the Sikhs, cele- Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the their survival, courage, and dedication in fight- bration of Vaisakhi remind us that the freedom Kalmyk community of the United States has ing for ‘‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- is the birthright of all peoples and nations. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E753

COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN, 17 10 after the complete destruction of city of prays for the well being of the whole human Washington, DC, April 16, 2001. Sirhand where the two younger sons of Guru race. We wish every human being in the OPEN LETTER TO THE SIKH NATION: POLITICAL Sahib were beheaded after immobilizing world, including South Asia, well. We hope PRISONERS SHOULD RUN IN ELECTIONS them in a wall. Sikhs regained that the entire world will live in peace and In 1947, when India was divided, the cun- freedom and let the Sikh Nation also flour- FORM KHALSA RAJ PARTY, START A STANTMAI ish, prosper, and enjoy the glow of freedom MORCHA TO FREE KHALISTAN ning and deceitful Hindu leadership of Nehru and Gandhi promised that Sikhs would have in a free Khalistan. Several reports, including a recent one the glow of freedom in Punjab and that no from Amnesty International, confirm that Khalsa Ji, always remember ‘‘Khalsa Bagi law affecting Sikh rights would be passed tens of thousands of Sikh political prisoners Yan Badhshah’’ and ‘‘Raj Kare Ga Khalsa.’’ without Sikh consent. As soon as the trans- are being held in illegal detention in India Sincerely, fer of power had occurred and India was free, without charge or trial. Democracies do not DR. GURMIT SINGH AULAKCH, those promises were broken. Instead, India hold political prisoners, yet tens of thou- President Council of Khalistan. began its effort to wipe out the Sikh people, sands of political prisoners are being held in the Sikh Nation, and the Sikh religion. The ‘‘the world’s largest democracy.’’ Home Ministry even sent a circular to the f Recently, 19 Members of the U.S. Congress deputy commissioners of Punjab saying that wrote to President Bush asking him to get Sikhs are ‘‘a criminal tribe’’ and should be TRIBUTE TO MS. PAT SHIELDS involved in the effort to secure freedom for carefully watched. Since independence, these political prisoners. These political prisoners are being held for peaceful activi- Sikhs have been persecuted, betrayed, robbed ties in support of a sovereign, independent of their natural resources, and discriminated HON. RONNIE SHOWS against. We must stand up against the op- Khalistan and/or activities in support of OF MISSISSIPPI human rights. Some of these political pris- pressors and say enough is enough. We will IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES oners have been held since 1984. We must se- no longer live under your oppressive regime. Badal did not even fulfill the promises he cure their freedom. Tuesday, May 8, 2001 Sovereignty is essential to the survival of made before the election. How can they call the Sikh Nation. As long as we live under In- themselves an Akali government when more Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to than 50,000 people have been tortured, mur- dian rule, these political prisoners will con- honor a distinguished woman from Mississippi, tinue to be held and we will all continue to dered, declared unidentified, and cremated by the police? There is no accountability for Ms. Pat Shields. It is my great privilege to live as slaves. The only way that Sikhs can share with my colleagues in Congress her live in freedom is to liberate our homeland. them and no police official has been pun- Self-determination is the right of all peoples ished. How can they call themselves an Akali many attributes and noteworthy career as a ci- and nations. government when they have not punished vilian employee in the United States Army. We must tell the Indian government that Swaran Singh Ghotna, the murderer of For thirty years Ms. Shields has been a we demand our freedom. In order to do so, Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke, and the model of dedication, compassion and service other police officers who kidnapped and mur- the political prisoners should run for Par- in the United States Army. The Ole Miss com- liament and for the Legislative Assembly dered human-rights activist Jaswant Singh munity quickly learned how lucky they were to under the banner of the Khalsa Raj Party. Khalra? With a Khalsa Raj Party and with The primary plank of the Khalsa Raj Party the politicl prisoners elected, these people make her acquaintance 27 years ago, when should be freedom for Khalistan. The Khalsa can be brought to justice. she came to work with their ROTC program. Panth must be prepared to pay any price, In pursuit of its divide and rule strategy, With a smile on her face and a remarkably whatever it may be, to free ourselves from the Indian government has murdered over thoughtful attention to detail, Mrs. Shields has the occupation of the Indian government. 250,000 Sikhs in their effort to create fear worked with over 8,000 students to help them We must have a full and fair plebiscite on psychosis and destroy the Sikh freedom realize their dreams. Her assistance has re- movement. Tens of thousands of Sikh youth the status of Khalistan and we must launch sulted in the commission of over 500 cadets to a Shantmai Morcha to liberate Khalistan. If are being held as political prisoners without the U.S. Army and Mississippi National Guard. the political prisoners run for office, Sikhs charge or trial. Recently, it has tried to set will have someone to vote for who is com- the Sikhs and the Kashmiri Muslims against As Ms. Shields prepares to retire, I have mitted to freedom. None of the current par- each other by creating incidents between the been overwhelmed by the number of people ties will make any effort to liberate communities. Over 20,000 people were mur- who say their lives have been touched by her Khalistan. dered in Delhi alone after Indira Gandhi’s as- presence. The Ole Miss community has both sassination. So far, the perpetrators of these If the political prisoners will not run for deep regret and fond wishes for her departure. office from their jail cells, then their family heinous crimes roam free in Delhi. The They know though, as do her children, David, members should be given the Khalsa Raj Khalsa Raj Party must demand account- Party ticket in the elections. We must have ability for the perpetrators of these atroc- Don, and Lisa, and her granddaughter, Eliza- a real choice that will allow us to demand ities. beth Ann, that no woman is more deserving of our freedom. Only then can our ve make any After the attack in June an enjoyable retirement than Pat Shields. difference. Let us vote for a free Khalistan, 1984 by the Indian government it was clear to Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to rise the Sikhs that the Indian government is de- not just for a change of faces among the op- with me in commending Pat Shields for her pressors. termined to destroy completely. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib gave sovereignty The attack on the Golden Temple was con- fine service to this nation. It is both a pleasure to the Khalsa Panth. ‘‘In Grieb Sikhan Ko ducted to crush the Sikh aspirations of and a privilege to recognize such a true south- Deon Patshahi’’, that is ‘‘Khalsa shall rule Khalsa Raj. It doesn’t matter whether Con- ern lady from our great state of Mississippi. and is sovereign.’’ Guru gave the Sikh Na- gress or the BJP runs the government. tion sovereignty. Nations that do not have Former Indian Prime Minister Chandra f sovereignty perish. Nations that do not have Shekhar said that there is no difference be- political power vanish from the face of the tween Congress and the BJP. He is right. The HONORING DR. JOSEPH S. BAILES Earth. Sikhs are instructed to remain free party label on the Hindu majority does not always. It is time to reclaim freedom that is matter. Congress and BJP are equally anti- our birthright. In a free Khalistan Sikhs will Sikh. Only a Khalsa Raj Party will work to HON. KEN BENTSEN enjoy freedom and respect the world over. break the cycle of tyranny and oppression. For the survival of Sikh Nation, we must re- Do you want to live as slaves and jeop- OF TEXAS gain our lost sovereignty. It is our duty as ardize the future of your children and your IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Sikhs. children’s children, disobeying the Guru’s The present Akali government and its order of Raj Kare Ga Khalsa, or do you want Tuesday, May 8, 2001 leadership is corrupt to its bone. The Akalis to free yourself from the slavery of the In- are in alliance with the militant Hindu fun- dian government and enjoy the blessings and Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor damentalist BJP, which has recently been happiness of Guru by freeing Khalistan? Al- my constituent, Dr. Joseph S. Bailes, on the rocked by a corruption scandal as well. They ways remember that the Guru gave the Sikh occasion of an event on May 12, 2001, in San are agents of the Indian government. They Nation Charhdi Kala. Francisco, California by the National Coalition take their orders from Delhi rulers. They lie For the Charhdi Kala of the Khalsa Panth, for Cancer Survivorship honoring him and the to the Sikh Nation. We must discard them let’s join hands to form a Khalsa Raj Party American Society of Clinical Oncology. now and replace them with a new com- to free our homeland, Khalistan. We pray mitted, honest, pro-Khalsa Panth leadership. and ask the blessing of the Guru to help us There is scarcely a person among us who As instructed by the Guru, Banda Singh achieve the pious, God-given right to free- has not been touched by cancer. This dis- Bahadar established the first Khalsa Raj in dom for the Sikh Nation. The Khalsa Panth ease—actually more than a hundred different