28170 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS December 13, 2005 international travel and tourism market. Fur- charge of operations for Palmer Wholesale, India and by declaring our support for the fun- ther, we are optimistic that other states will fol- Dick also has served as a mentor and role damental democratic principle of self-deter- low Nevada’s lead and actively begin to mar- model to countless young people as a Little mination, we can help bring real peace, pros- ket travel and tourism to China, the world’s League baseball coach. I even had the privi- perity, freedom, and stability to South Asia. largest market place. lege of being coached by Dick when he was Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the Coun- Mr. Speaker, again, we applaud the unique- my seventh grade basketball coach at cil of Khalistan’s very informative press re- ly monumental efforts of the Nevada Commis- Hobgood Elementary School. lease about the celebration of Guru Nanak’s sion on Tourism and look forward to wit- Dick’s dedication to his community and to birthday into the RECORD at this time. nessing an even greater increase in Chinese the Blue Raiders is truly an inspiration and a [From the Council of Khalistan, Nov. 22, tourism to our State and other tourist destina- shining example of Middle Tennesseans at 2005] tions throughout the United States. their best. It has been a pleasure knowing him SIKHS CELEBRATE GURU NANAK’S BIRTHDAY WITH DEVOTION, ENTHUSIASM, REVERENCE f since I was a young man, and I am proud to call him a family friend. I thank him for all of WASHINGTON, DC.—Over 25,000 Sikhs gath- HONORING JAMES RIZZO ON HIS his contributions to Middle Tennessee and ered in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan) CAMPAIGN TO BE ELECTED TO wish him all the best for his retirement. last week for the celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikh re- THE CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY LEG- f ISLATIVE DISTRICT 23 ligion. About 15,000 were from Pakistan, SIKHS ENTHUSIASTICALLY CELE- about 4,500 were from India, and the rest BRATE GURU NANAK’S BIRTH- were from abroad. Slogans of ‘‘Khalistan Zindabad’’ resonated throughout Nankana HON. BRIAN HIGGINS DAY WITH REVERENCE OF NEW YORK Sahib during the day’s speeches. The celebration began with the perform- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS ance of Akand Path, which is the The Guru Tuesday, December 13, 2005 OF NEW YORK Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, was IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES read without interruption for 48 hours lead- Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ing up to Guru Nanak’s birthday. Hymns honor James Rizzo, a resident of Chautauqua Tuesday, December 13, 2005 were sung as midnight struck. In the morn- County for his quest to become the elected Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, last month, Sikhs ing, the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak representative to the twenty-third legislative gathered from around the world to celebrate Committee (PGPC) presented government of- district in the Chautauqua County Legislature. the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of ficials and others with siropas. According to Although Mr. Rizzo was not able to realize his Sikh tradition, the afternoon was marked by Sikhism, with devotion, enthusiasm, and rev- a procession led by the Guru Granth Sahib, dream he has been able to make an impact erence. Over 25,000 Sikhs gathered in on other’s lives in a different way. followed by the Panj Piaras, and then the Nankana Sahib, in what is now Pakistan, for Sangat, of all the Gurdwaras in Nankana The campaign trail is a difficult path to take. the celebration. Sahib, ending back at Gurdwara Janam Any person with a dream may enter but only The celebration included reading of the Sikh Asthan. The evening program featured a few are able to reach the end. Mr. Rizzo holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, the speeches given by various Sikh leaders, in- traveled that path with his head held high and singing of hymns, a procession through the cluding Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President a smile on his face the entire way. I have no streets, and speeches. One of the speeches of the Council of Khalistan, which leads the doubt that his kind demeanor left a lasting im- was given by Dr. Gunnit Singh Aulakh, Presi- Sikh struggle for independence. When Dr. Aulakh raised slogans of ‘‘Khalistan pression on the voters of district 23. dent of the Council of Khalistan, the organiza- Chautauqua County is blessed to have such Zindabad,’’ the Sangat responded with great tion that leads the Sikh struggle for independ- enthusiasm. The Sikh Nation knows that po- strong candidates with a desire to make this ence. Dr. Aulakh’s speech was punctuated litical power is essential for the enhance- county the wonderful place that we all know it with slogans of ‘‘Khalistan Zindabad,’’ which ment of any religion. The Sikh Nation also can be. Mr. Rizzo is one of those people and means ‘‘Long live Khalistan.’’ Khalistan is the knows that the gold was added to cover the that is why Mr. Speaker I rise to honor him name of the Sikh state that declared its inde- building of Darbar Sahib when the Sikihs today. pendence on October 7, 1987. ruled Punjab from 1765 to 1849. Since then, it f The celebration was carried live on Paki- is also called the Golden Temple. After mid- stani television and on Punjab Radio from night the celebration concluded with cere- HONORlNG THE DISTINGUISHED monies according to the Sikh rehat London, which is available worldwide. SERVICE OF DICK PALMER maryada. Guru Nanak had two companions, one The Sang at showed great devotion and Hindu and one Muslim. He was a shining ex- reverence on this pious occasion. Guru HON. BART GORDON ample of acceptance of all. When Guru Nanak Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion. OF TENNESSEE passed away, his burial shawl was torn in half (‘‘Marya Sikha Jagat Sitch Nanak Nirmal IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and burned by the Hindus, and buried by the Panth Chalaya.’’) It was an occasion of great happiness for the Khalsa Panth. The events Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Muslims. Both Hindus and Muslims revered him. were carried live on Pakistani TV and on Punjab Radio from London, which is heard Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Yet today, Hindus persecute the Sikhs, the recognize the distinguished career of Dick throughout the world. Sikhs who were able followers of Guru Nanak. More than 250,000 to participate in the celebration were very Palmer, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native Sikhs have been murdered at the hands of the fortunate. who has been the voice of the Middle Ten- Indian government. According to the Move- Guru Nanak confronted Sabar, the Moghul nessee State University Blue Raiders for 25 ment Against State Repression, MASR, over ruler of the time and called him a Jabbar years. 52,000 are being held without charge or trial (oppressor) and spoke out against the tyr- A 1960 graduate of MTSU, Dick is a Blue as political prisoners in ‘‘the world’s largest de- anny of the rulers of that time. He was even Raider through and through. His presence on mocracy.’’ Over 50,000 young Sikh men were imprisoned by Babar, along with his fol- the airwaves certainly will be missed. For lowers. Guru Nanak travelled extensively, to picked up by the government, tortured, mur- the Middle East, where he visited Baghdad, more than 46 years, Dick has been involved in dered, and then secretly cremated. Their bod- and throughout India, along with his two sporting events in Tennessee, from his 9 year ies were declared ‘‘unidentified’’ and never re- companions, one Hindu, one Muslim. He stint calling play-by-play for Jackson high turned to their families. spread his message of truthfulness, respect school sports to his work with the Memphis Christians and Muslims throughout the for the rights of individuals, earning an hon- Blues baseball team, Memphis Pros ABA country are also being persecuted. Over est living, sharing with the needy, and pray- team, and Memphis Grizzlies World Football 300,000 Christians in Nagaland and over ing to Almighty God. He was revered by Hin- League team. 90,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed by dus and Muslims alike. When he left this Although he will be retiring from MTSU world, his body was not found. The sheet cov- the government. In addition, tens of thousands ering his body was torn in two. The Hindus broadcasting at the end of this season, I have of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, cremated it and the Muslims buried it, each no doubt that Dick will continue to be an ac- Tamils, and other minorities have been killed. according to their customs. tive and valued member of the Murfreesboro Are we going to stand idly by and let this Guru Nanak is remembered as Baba Nanak community. Not only a family businessman in happen? 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