June 1, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E973 COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN CON- take the steps necessary to bring peace, free- Temple. Thus it is disturbing to read that GRATULATES INDIA’S NEW SIKH dom, prosperity, and dignity to everyone in the you have said you intend to follow the poli- PRIME MINISTER subcontinent. cies of Rajiv Gandhi. His policy was the mur- Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the Coun- der of at least 8,000 Sikhs in Delhi alone and over 20,000 throughout India. It is also dis- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS cil of Khalistan’s letter to Prime Minister Singh turbing that your party gave tickets to OF NEW YORK into the RECORD at this time. Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, who are IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN, responsible for ordering the murders of thou- Washington, DC, May 26, 2004. sands of Sikhs in Delhi, and that Tytler was Tuesday, June 1, 2004 The Hon. Dr. Manmohan Singh, appointed to your Cabinet. Tytler and Sajjan Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as you know, a Prime Minister of India, Chanakyapouri, New Kumar supplied gasoline for these murders Sikh, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has been named Delhi, India. and incited the crowd. These people belong DEAR PRIME MINISTER SINGH: Congratula- in jail, not in the government. as the new Prime Minister of India. Dr. Singh tions on becoming Prime Minister of India. I hope that you will not follow such un- is a former Finance Minister in the government You have been entrusted with a significant democratic, anti-secularist, anti-Sikhs poli- of Narasimha Rao from 1991 to 1996. He is responsibility. cies. Policies such as these have made it a very experienced Indian official. We are very pleased to see a Sikh as Prime clear that there is no place for Sikhs in I hope that this will be a step forward for Minister. You have reached this high office India. If you are truly committed to secu- good relations between the United States and because of your intelligence and hard work larism, you cannot follow such brutal, re- India, Mr. Speaker. We all seek good rela- and your presence in this position gives the pressive policies against Sikhs and other mi- tions. However, the support of India’s Com- world a strong and positive impression of norities. The brutal policies have brought Sikhs. However, remember the way that the about the murders of over 250,000 Sikhs since munists for the governing coalition makes me Gandhi family used Giani Zail Singh when he 1984, more than 87,000 Kashmiri Muslims wonder if good relations are possible under was President of India. He became the figure- since 1988, over 300,000 Christians in this particular government. head for their repression of the Sikhs. Unlike Nagaland, and tens of thousands of Assam- Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Zail Singh, you are in a position of real ese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, and other mi- Council of Khalistan has sent a letter to Prime power. Sikhs around the world will be watch- norities. The United States State Depart- Minister Singh congratulating him on his new ing what you do and hoping that you will not ment exposed the fact that between 1992 and position. In the letter, Dr. Aulakh notes that it allow yourself to be used in a similar man- 1994, a Congress government paid out more ner. than 41,000 cash bounties to police officers is good for the image of Sikhs worldwide that As a Sikh, you are in a position to under- Dr. Manmohan Singh is now Prime Minister. for killing Sikhs. One officer received a stand the problems of the Sikh Nation. The bonus for murdering a three-year-old boy, He also notes that it was the RSS, parent or- Movement Against State Repression (MASR) claiming the toddler was a ‘‘terrorist.’’ ganization of the ousted BJP, that assas- did a report that showed the government ad- The time has come for India to make a sinated Mohandas Gandhi and takes note of mitted to holding 52,268 Sikh political pris- clean break with its past by punishing those India’s violent history, urging Prime Minister oners. They have been held without charge responsible for these actions, compensating Singh to take strong measures to avoid re- or trial, some for as long as 20 years! If you the victims’ families, and committing itself peating this history, such as releasing the po- are truly committed to secularism, one of to preventing and punishing such acts in the your first acts should be to release all polit- litical prisoners that India holds, punishing future. This will show your commitment to ical prisoners. If any have died in custody, secular, democratic government and not the those responsible for atrocities, ending the their bodies should be released to their fami- theocratic repression of the country’s past taking of Punjabi water to nonriparian states lies. These are people who have committed governments. without compensation, and other such policies no crime but opposition to the government. India is a very fractured country. Because I think we can all support. India will be a better How can there be political prisoners in a de- of past history, no party is able to unify the place if Prime Minister Singh implements mocracy? people and command a majority of the sup- these policies. I urge you to restore to Punjab what is port, so coalition governments are inevi- According to the Movement Against State rightfully Punjab’s. I call on you to restore table. Coalition governments are inherently the Punjabi-speaking areas that were re- Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being unstable. For example, the support of India’s moved from the state of Punjab to it. Punjab three Communist parties for your coalition held as political prisoners. Amnesty Inter- was meant to be a unified Sikh state and In- weakens your ability to pursue good rela- national reports that tens of thousands of dian governments of the past have pursued a tions with the United States and other West- other minorities are also being held as political deliberate policy of dividing, bankrupting, ern countries, which could increase India’s prisoners. A democracy should not hold polit- and weakening it to divide and weaken the isolation from the world. ical prisoners. I am sure all my colleagues will Sikhs. As a Sikh and as Prime Minister, you History also shows us that multinational agree with me that all these political prisoners are in a position to put a stop to this policy. countries are doomed to failure. Austria- should be released immediately. You are also in a position to restore Punjab’s Hungary, the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, water rights. For years, Punjab’s water has and Yugoslavia are examples of this. India is The letter also reminds Prime Minister Singh been diverted to non-riparian states with no a multinational state, not a single country, that while ending the BJP’s policy of compensation to Punjab or to the people of thrown together by British colonialists and Hindutva—total Hinduization of every aspect Punjab. Please put an end to the diversion of with 18 official languages. How can such a of Indian life—will be welcome, it was the Punjab’s water to non-riparian states and country be held together except by massive Congress Party under Dr. Singh’s political pa- when such diversion is necessary, please repression and bloodshed? And the repression trons, the Gandhi family, that carried out the make certain that the Sikh farmers of Pun- has simply created greater resentment of the military attack on the Golden Temple, the cen- jab get appropriate compensation for their central government, which also strengthens ter and seat of the Sikh religion and the mas- water. This is only fair and right, and it is a the support for the 17 independence move- policy that will earn you greater support ments throughout India. Either way, holding sacre of Sikhs in Delhi and elsewhere in India. among the Sikhs. All other states control India together is a futile enterprise destined Dr. Aulakh urges Dr. Singh to make a com- their water resources. to fail. plete break with these policies by punishing We are also pleased that the BJP is out of Since India is a democracy, I urge you to those responsible. power. Rahul Gandhi, MP, the son of Sonia solve this problem the democratic way. In In 1987, the Sikhs declared themselves and Rajiv Gandhi and a member of your 1947, India committed itself to a plebiscite independent from India, naming their new party, pointed out that the RSS, which is the on the status of Kashmir. The Sikhs also country Khalistan. As Dr. Aulakh points out in parent organization of the BJP, assassinated seek their freedom and sovereignty, as the his letter, allowing Khalistan, Kashmir, Mahatma Gandhi. The RSS is a pro-Fascist Nagas and others also do. If India is truly the organization and both Vajpayee and Advani world’s largest democracy, why not simply Nagaland, and the other nations seeking their are proud RSS members. The end of the pol- allow the people to decide their status by a freedom from India to be free is the best way icy of Hindutva will be a welcome develop- free and fair vote. That is the way that you to spare the subcontinent any more blood- ment. Sikh support for the Congress Party is achieved power, by the people’s votes. Why shed. also a by-product of the corrupt Parkash not let the people vote on this critical issue? I join in that call, Mr. Speaker. We should Singh Badal regime in Punjab, the most cor- The essence of democracy is the right of self- support a free and fair plebiscite on the ques- rupt government in Punjab’s history. The determination. tion of independence for the minority nations Badal government even invented a new word As a Sikh, you are aware that the Sikh Na- tion is a separate nation which was supposed of South Asia. And until human rights are fully for bribery: fee for service. However, it was a Congress government that attacked the to receive sovereignty at the time of India’s observed and a complete break is made with Golden Temple and carried out the massacre independence. As you know, Sikhs ruled the bloody and repressive policies of the past, of Sikhs in Delhi and throughout India. Punjab from 1710 to 1716 and from 1765 to the United States should stop providing aid to As your own nephew pointed out, Sikhs 1849. No Sikh representative has signed the India. These measures will encourage India to can never forget the attack on the Golden Indian Constitution to this day. Every day,

VerDate May 21 2004 05:08 Jun 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A01JN8.023 E01PT1 E974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 1, 2004 Sikhs pray ‘‘Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,’’ the young man who has exemplified the finest served as a foreshadowing of the resolve he Khalsa shall rule. As you know, the Sikh Na- qualities of citizenship and leadership by tak- maintained in all other enterprises in his life. tion declared its independence from India on ing an active part in the Boy Scouts of Amer- Mr. McFarland has a lasting legacy in the October 7, 1987, calling their new country Khalistan. As former Jathedar of the Akal ica, Troop 320, and by earning the most pres- state of Alabama, one that will continue to be Takht Professor Darshan Singh has said, ‘‘If tigious award of Eagle Scout. echoed in the structures that he helped build, a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.’’ Justin has been very active with his troop by and the minds and determinations that he I know that you are a Sikh, Mr. Prime participating in many Scout activities, earning helped to mold in the next generations of Ala- Minister. I can see your turban. I know that numerous merit badges, and serving in a vari- bama’s citizens. you are concerned about the future of the ety of leadership positions. He has held such Mr. Speaker, I know that the citizens of Ala- Sikh Nation. Therefore, I urge you to sit positions as Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol bama are aware of and appreciate all that Mr. down with Sikh representatives and nego- tiate the boundaries of a sovereign, inde- Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader, as well as McFarland has done for his state. I am now pendent, free Khalistan. This is the best Troup Guide. Justin has attended camp at honored to recognize his accomplishments to thing that you can do for the Sikh Nation, Saukenauk Scout Reservation as well as this House of Representatives in our nation’s your own people, and it is the best way to en- Camp Maumee and Polar Bear Camp. He has Capitol. sure that India goes the way of Czecho- also attended a High Adventure in Elk Horn, slovakia, not that of Yugoslavia. Please Colorado and a National High Adventure in f spare India, Khalistan, and all the nations of the Northern Tier Bissett. Justin’s dedication is South Asia any further bloodshed. CONGRATULATING BEDFORD FIRE Congratulations again on your new posi- quite impressive as he has been a member of four separate Councils through his career in DEPARTMENT #1, INC. ON 200TH tion. ANNIVERSARY Sincerely, the Scouts. For his Eagle Scout project, Justin DR. GURMIT SINGH AULAKH, organized the materials for him and his fellow President, Council of Khalistan. Scouts to construct a safe and enjoyable play- HON. BILL SHUSTER f ground area for the children of the Clay Coun- OF PENNSYLVANIA IN HONOR OF DAVID SABLE ty Christian Church. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in Tuesday, June 1, 2004 commending Justin Myers for his accomplish- HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL ments with the Boy Scouts of America and for Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to OF NEW YORK his efforts put forth in achieving the highest congratulate the Bedford Fire Department #1, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES distinction of Eagle Scout. Inc. on its 200th Anniversary and to extend my Tuesday, June 1, 2004 f sincere gratitude for the selfless actions of so Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, the adage if you many firefighters over the years. The citizens TRIBUTE TO HONORABLE WARD want something done ask a busy person to do of Bedford, Pennsylvania are undoubtedly WHARTON MCFARLAND it was never more true than in the case of grateful for all that they have done. David Sable. For more than 20 years he has The history of firefighting in Pennsylvania been busy in marketing communications, be- HON. SPENCER BACHUS can be traced back to the early 1700’s. Ben coming vice chair and president of OF ALABAMA Franklin, a Philadelphia resident at the time, Wunderman’s worldwide operations. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES developed a fine-tuned system of volunteer But there is another side of Mr. Sable, one Tuesday, June 1, 2004 firefighters that could handily combat the which led the Riverdale Jewish Center to threat of fire within the city limits. When refer- honor him at their 50th anniversary celebra- Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to remem- ring to how this cooperative technique worked, tion, a decision they said wasn’t particularly ber and pay tribute to one of Alabama’s most Franklin said, difficult. esteemed citizens on the occasion of the 25th Soon after [a fire] is seen and cried out, the He was raised in Riverdale from early child- anniversary of his passing. Today a flag flies place is crowded by active men of different hood, the son of the founding Rabbi of the over the Capitol building to honor the man ages, professions and titles who, as of one Riverdale Jewish Center. He has served the who contributed to the state of Alabama as an mind and rank, apply themselves with all RJC with extraordinary tenure as President educator, lawyer, and as a businessman. The vigilance and resolution, according to their and is currently the Chair of the Board of Honorable Ward McFarland taught at the Uni- abilities, to the hard work of conquering the Trustees. He is, in their words, understanding versity of Alabama in the Economics Depart- increasing fire. of the RJC past, an integral part of its present, ment for two years prior to practicing law in The Bedford Fire Department is one of the and a source of confidence for its future. Tuscaloosa. He served as both State Highway oldest fire departments in the United States, He also has served his community in a larg- Director and Docks Director for the state, and founded in 1804. For 200 years this entirely er sense, as a member of New York City’s participated in International Commerce on be- volunteer department, which now consists of Cultural Advisory Committee and a member of half of the State of Alabama in order to recruit 82 members, has successfully collaborated to the steering committee for the Mail Industry industry. His efforts were recognized in 1979, provide safety and protection for over 11,000 Task Force of the United States Post Office. at the time of his death, as the Alabama State people within an area of 210 square miles. His love for Israel is well known. With the Senate commended him as one of the state’s These volunteer firefighters deserve the breakout of the Yom Kippur war, he joined the most outstanding and contributing citizens. highest honors for constantly putting them- Israeli Defense Force as a combat medic. He Mr. McFarland founded a multi-million dollar selves in harm’s way to protect and save fel- is a member of the Board of the Tzfat Founda- real estate empire that included the construc- low citizens. Their unselfish valor and relent- tion. He has also served the RJC as Youth Di- tion of malls, apartment complexes, medical less dedication to their community make them rector and Vice President. buildings, restaurants, hotels, and neighbor- special, and certainly worthy of praise. A celebration of the Riverdale Jewish Cen- hoods throughout Alabama and the South. His The two stations built within the rural area ter without David Sable would not be a true works were again recognized this past year as provide the necessary resources for the fire- celebration. I congratulate him and the RJC Alabama Governor Bob Riley proclaimed June fighters to perform to the best of their ability for all the good work both have accomplished 20, 2003 to be James Elisha Folsom, Sr.- and handle any variety of situations. The vol- in Riverdale and beyond. Ward Wharton McFarland Day, placing him unteers spend countless hours planning and f alongside the governor with whom he had implementing fundraising events to maintain RECOGNIZING JUSTIN MYERS FOR worked during two administrations. Concomi- adequate facilities, provide each firefighter ACHIEVING THE RANK OF EAGLE tant to that proclamation came the naming of with the proper equipment, and ensure the SCOUT a highway in Alabama the ‘‘Folsom-McFarland continued success of the department. Highway’’. I am tremendously appreciative of the vital His legacy reaches well beyond the borders duties that the Bedford Fire Department per- HON. SAM GRAVES of Alabama as well. Mr. McFarland served in forms and for the time it spends contributing to OF MISSOURI the Navy during WWII, during which his vessel the safety of the Bedford community. Con- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES was bombed. Accepting Medical Discharges gratulations on reaching the 200 year mile- Tuesday, June 1, 2004 along with all other survivors of the incident, stone! I am proud to have the distinguished Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I proudly pause he came home to enlist in the U.S. Army Air honor to represent such a reputable group of to recognize Justin Myers, a very special Corps. His resolute patriotism during this time volunteers.

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