[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SIKHS WILL CELEBRATE 300TH ANNIVERSARY--AMERICA SHOULD SUPPORT SIKH 
                                FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 24, 1999

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, this April marks a very significant occasion, 
the 300th anniversary of the Sikh Nation. The occasion will be 
celebrated with a big march in Washington, with prayers, and in many 
other ways. Let us join with the Sikhs on this auspicious occasion and 
pray that they will soon enjoy the same freedom in their homeland, 
Punjab, Khalistan, that we enjoy here in America.
  I would like to congratulate the Sikh Nation on this major milestone, 
which was brought to my attention by Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President 
of the Council of Khalistan. Many of us have been made aware of the 
brutal oppression of the Sikhs by the Indian government due to Dr. 
Aulakh's tireless efforts. I am pleased to note that Dr. Aulakh's 
office is organizing the march.
  There are half of a million Sikhs in the United States. They have 
added to the richness of American life in many aspects of life and 
work. They have been productive, proud, law-abiding Americans. The 
Sikhs came to this country to enjoy the freedom that has made America 
the great country that it is. On this very special occasion for he Sikh 
Nation, let us honor those fine Americans by taking steps to help their 
Sikh brothers and sisters in Punjab, Khalistan enjoy the same freedom. 
That is the best way to prevent another Bosnia or Kosovo in South Asia.
  Make no mistake, Mr. Speaker, there is no freedom for Sikhs, 
Christians, Muslims, Dalits, or other minorities in India today. The 
Indian government continues to practice a brutal oppression that has 
taken tens of thousands of Sikh, Christian, Muslim, and other human 
lives. Yet this brutal country continues to be among the top five 
recipients of U.S. aid.
  Why are we using tax dollars to support this repressive government? 
Even with our budget surplus, this is a bad use of taxpayers' money. We 
should cut off this aid and declare our support for self-determination 
in the Indian subcontinent. The Sikhs of Khalistan, the Muslims of 
Kashmir, the Christians of Nagaland, and others seek only to decide 
their futures in the democratic way, by voting. As the beacon of 
freedom in the world, it is our moral duty to support this struggle for 
freedom. Let us take the occasion of the Sikh Nation's 300th 
anniversary to commit ourselves to full support for freedom for all 
people, starting with these few simple measures.

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