[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 134 (Friday, October 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1865]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1865]]
  CONGRATULATING THE COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN ON 15 YEARS OF WORKING FOR 
                                FREEDOM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CYNTHIA A. McKINNEY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 11, 2002

  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, one of the things I have been proud of in 
my time in Congress is the opportunity I have had to help inform people 
about human rights and the struggle for freedom in the world. In that 
light, I would like to take this opportunity to note the fifteenth 
anniversary of the declaration of independence by the Sikh Nation of 
Khalistan which occurred on October 7, 1987, and the formation of the 
Council of Khalistan at that time.
  The Council of Khalistan leads the Sikhs in their struggle to free 
themselves from repression, corruption, and tyranny imposed on them by 
India. It has always conducted that struggle in a peaceful, democratic, 
nonviolent way and has explicitly rejected militancy. I am proud to 
have been able to help the Council inform people about the Sikhs' 
struggle for freedom.
  The President of the Council of Khalistan, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, 
has been tireless in fighting for freedom in the subcontinent. I am 
proud to know him. I wish everyone in Washington were so tireless, and 
I wish him success in his endeavors.
  I would like to congratulate Dr. Aulakh and the Council of Khalistan 
on this occasion and I would like to wish them a successful convention 
this coming weekend in Philadelphia. Last year's convention was in my 
home town, Atlanta.
  Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will Join me in congratulating the 
Council of Khalistan on this important milestone.