[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 5, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H1743-H1745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page H1743]]
HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF YOGI BHAJAN
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 34) honoring the life and
contributions of Yogi Bhajan, a leader of Sikhs, and expressing
condolences to the Sikh community on his passing.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 34
Whereas the Sikh faith was founded in the northern section
of the Republic of India in the 15th century by Guru Nanak,
who preached tolerance and equality for all humans;
Whereas the Sikh faith began with a simple message of
truthful living and the fundamental unity of humanity, all
created by one creator who manifests existence through every
religion;
Whereas the Sikh faith reaches out to people of all faiths
and cultural backgrounds, encourages individuals to see
beyond their differences, and to work together for world
peace and harmony;
Whereas Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa
Yogiji, known as Yogi Bhajan to hundreds of thousands of
people worldwide, was born Harbhajan Singh Puri on August 26,
1929, in India;
Whereas at age eight, Yogi Bhajan began yogic training, and
eight years later was proclaimed by his teacher to be a
master of Kundalini Yoga, which stimulates individual growth
through breath, yoga postures, sound, chanting, and
meditation;
Whereas during the turmoil on the partition between
Pakistan and India in 1947, at the age of 18, Yogi Bhajan led
his village of 7,000 people 325 miles on foot to safety in
New Delhi, India, from what is now Lahore, Pakistan;
Whereas Yogi Bhajan, before emigrating to North America in
1968, served the Government of India faithfully through both
civil and military service;
Whereas when Yogi Bhajan visited the United States in 1968,
he recognized immediately that the experience of higher
consciousness that many young people were attempting to find
through drugs could be alternatively achieved through
Kundalini Yoga, and in response, he began teaching Kundalini
Yoga publicly, thereby breaking the centuries-old tradition
of secrecy surrounding it;
Whereas in 1969, Yogi Bhajan founded ``Healthy, Happy, Holy
Organization (3HO)'', a nonprofit private educational and
scientific foundation dedicated to serving humanity,
improving physical well-being, deepening spiritual awareness,
and offering guidance on nutrition and health, interpersonal
relations, child rearing, and human behavior;
Whereas under the direction and guidance of Yogi Bhajan,
3HO expanded to 300 centers in 35 countries;
Whereas in 1971, the president of the governing body of
Sikh Temples in India gave Yogi Bhajan the title of Siri
Singh Sahib, which made him the chief religious and
administrative authority for Sikhism in the Western
Hemisphere, and subsequently the Sikh seat of religious
authority gave him responsibility to create a Sikh ministry
in the West;
Whereas in 1971, Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated in
the State of California and recognized as a tax-exempt
religious organization by the United States, and in 1972,
Yogi Bhajan founded the ashram Sikh Dharma in Espanola, New
Mexico;
Whereas in 1973, Yogi Bhajan founded ``3HO SuperHealth'', a
successful drug rehabilitation program that blends ancient
yogic wisdom of the East with modern technology of the West;
Whereas in June 1985, Yogi Bhajan established the first
``International Peace Prayer Day Celebrations'' in New
Mexico, which still draws thousands of participants annually;
Whereas Yogi Bhajan traveled the world calling for world
peace and religious unity at meetings with leaders such as
Pope Paul VI; Pope John Paul II; His Holiness the Dalai Lama;
the President of the former Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics, Mikhail Gorbachev; and two Archbishops of
Canterbury;
Whereas Yogi Bhajan wrote 30 books and inspired the
publication of 200 other books through his teachings, founded
a drug rehabilitation program, and inspired the founding of
several businesses;
Whereas Sikhs and students across the world testify that
Yogi Bhajan exhibited dignity, divinity, grace, commitment,
courage, kindness, compassion, tolerance, wisdom, and
understanding;
Whereas Yogi Bhajan taught that in times of joy and sorrow
members of the community should come together and be at one
with each other; and
Whereas before his passing on October 6, 2004, Yogi Bhajan
requested that his passing be a time of celebration of his
going home: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That the Congress--
(1) recognizes that the teachings of Yogi Bhajan about
Sikhism and yoga, and the businesses formed under his
inspiration, improved the personal, political, spiritual, and
professional relations between citizens of the United States
and the citizens of India;
(2) recognizes the legendary compassion, wisdom, kindness,
and courage of Yogi Bhajan, and his wealth of accomplishments
on behalf of the Sikh community; and
(3) extends its condolences to Inderjit Kaur, the wife of
Yogi Bhajan, his three children and five grandchildren, and
to Sikh and 3HO communities around the Nation and the world
upon the death on October 6, 2004, of Yogi Bhajan, an
individual who was a wise teacher and mentor, an outstanding
pioneer, a champion of peace, and a compassionate human
being.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. McCotter) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter).
General Leave
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Michigan?
There was no objection.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to recognize the fine work of the
gentleman from New Mexico (Mr. Udall) for placing this resolution
before us.
On October 6, 2004, Yogi Bhajan passed from this world. He had
requested that his passing be a time of celebration. Thus I rise in
support of H. Con. Res. 34 in order to celebrate the life of this
extraordinary man.
At the age of 18 during a time of turmoil, he led his village of
7,000 people over 325 miles on foot to the safety of New Delhi, India.
He served the Government of India faithfully through both civilian and
military service.
When he came to the United States, he founded a nonprofit private
educational, scientific foundation dedicated to serving humanity,
improving physical well-being, deepening spiritual awareness, and
offering guidance on nutrition and health, interpersonal relations,
child rearing, and human behavior.
In 1971, the President of the Governing Body of Sikh Temples in India
named him the chief religious and administrative authority for Sikhism
in the Western Hemisphere, and he was given the responsibility for
creating a Sikh ministry in the West.
In June of 1985, he established the first International Peace Prayer
Day Celebration which draws thousands of participants annually.
Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that Congress join in the celebration
of his passing and recognize his legendary compassion, wisdom,
kindness, and courage and extend its condolences to his wife and
family.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I join my colleague, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
McCotter), in commending our friend and colleague from New Mexico (Mr.
Udall) for the gentleman's introduction of this resolution, and his
concern and leadership on Sikh-American issues. We are grateful for his
work on these matters.
Mr. Speaker, the contributions made by Yogi Bhajan to Sikh-Americans
and others across the globe are enormous. In addition to teaching peace
through spiritual and yogic education, Yogi Bhajan applied his
motivational skills to business and civil society. Most notably, he
founded 3HO, an educational nonprofit organization that promotes human
rights and health care education.
Given those enormous contributions, the passing of Yogi Bhajan last
October was a loss not only to the Sikh-American community but to the
entire Nation.
Mr. Speaker, in the post-9/11 era, it is increasingly important to
recognize the contributions and participation of our Sikh-American
brethren in American society since Sikh-Americans have unfortunately
been the target of many hate crimes since 9/11. Yogi Bhajan was a man
who helped educate and enlighten Americans about Sikh philosophy,
further enhancing this country's great diversity and tolerance of all
faiths.
We extend our condolences to his family, his children and
grandchildren, and to the Sikh community around the world. I strongly
support the passage of
[[Page H1744]]
this resolution and urge my colleagues to do likewise.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to echo a sentiment put forward by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer). In my district, the 11th
Congressional District of Michigan, we have a substantial Sikh
presence; and in the wake of September 11, I was asked by their temple
to come before them and to reassure them that their fellow Americans
understood Sikhism and would never stand for any type of oppression or
prejudice or acts of hate being perpetrated against them.
I think in passing this resolution, we add one more accord on our
part to Sikhism and its adherents and I am honored to be a part of
this, as I am honored to have the friendship of the Sikh community and
people like Chain Sandhu back home in my district.
Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the loss of Yogi
Bhajan, a leader and inspiration to more than 23 million Sikhs around
the world. Born in 1929, Yogi Bhajan led his village of 7,000 people
325 miles to safety on foot when violence erupted between Pakistan and
India in 1947. The 3HO organization he founded in 1969 has strengthened
the spiritual and interpersonal ties of more than 300 communities in 35
countries.
The Sikh faith was founded in India in the 15th century. Today, there
are more than 175,000 Sikhs living in the United States and as many as
75,000 in the New York City metropolitan area.
Like their founder Guru Nanak, Sikhs practice tolerance and equality
for all humans. Unfortunately, Sikhs here in the United States find
themselves the objects of just the type of discrimination and that Yogi
Bhajan worked to combat. In the last 3 years, the Sikh's have been the
victims of at least 62 hate crimes, 27 cases of racial profiling, and
22 incidents of employment discrimination. In a particularly public
incident from my home town, a Sikh subway motorman in New York City
lost his job when the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) said he
could not wear his religious headgear to work.
Today, in the spirit of our commemoration of Yogi Bhajan's enormous
contributions, Congress should pass the Workplace Religious Freedom
Act, which would require an employer to accommodate a worker's faith
unless it imposes significant difficulty or expense on the employer.
The Workplace Religious Freedom Act has the support of an incredibly
diverse coalition of organizations including the National Sikh Center,
Agudath Israel, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, the
National Council of Churches, the National Council of Muslim Women, and
the Southern Baptist Convention.
If the Workplace Religious Freedom Act were passed, a Sikh would be
able to wear a turban at work unless it posed a serious health or
safety concern. And a Jew or Seventh Day Adventist could arrange not to
work on Saturday, in exchange for working overtime earlier in the week.
We should take this opportunity to honor Yogi Bhajan by doing right
by the community that survives him. Let's make sure the Sikh community
in America lives in an America devoted to the spirit of tolerance and
equality that Yogi Bhajan came to symbolize.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as the whole House of
Representatives rises also, to honor the exemplary life of Harbhajan
Singh Khalsa Yogiji. He died on October 7th 2004, just several weeks
after his 75th birthday. Though he gained notoriety as a great yoga
teacher, throughout his life he wore many hats; that of a successful
business man, an author and a diplomat who bridged the boundaries of
culture and religion.
The man we know as Yogi Bhajan was born Harghajan Singh Puri on
August 26th, 1929 in a part of India that later became Pakistan. He
spent his youth attending Catholic convent school and studying yoga
from the age of eight years old. At just sixteen his teacher, Sant
Sazara Singh, proclaimed him to be a Master of Kundalini Yoga. The rest
of his life was punctuated by selfless leadership and teaching to
people from all walks of life.
After working in the Indian government for some time, in 1968, Yogi
Bhajan left India for Canada to focus on teaching yoga. This began his
ascent to popularity throughout the world. After recognizing that the
spiritual seekers of that day, called ``hippies'', were trying to find
a higher consciousness via drugs, Yogi Bhajan realized that this could
be found rather by practicing Kundalini Yoga. He began teaching the
``3HO'' way of life, meaning a healthy, happy and holy life. Soon he
was in high demand. Eventually he founded the non-profit 3HO
Foundation, which services humanity through Kundalini Yoga, the Science
of Humanology, mediation, and a deepening of spiritual awareness. There
are now 300 centers in 35 countries.
Yogi Bhajan continually merged the principles of his belief with
business throughout his time on earth. He founded 3HO Superhealth,
which has become a highly successful drugless drug rehabilitation
program. He furthermore wrote books, conducted workshops, and made his
teachings available to large numbers of people via videotapes. He was a
tireless advocate of world peace and encouraged dialogue among world
leaders, including the Dalai Lama, Pope John Paul II, Pope Paul VI and
two Archbishops of Canterbury.
One of Yogi Bhajan's greatest accomplishments stemming from his
efforts was the official recognition of Sikhism as a religion in the
USA. Because of this, he was given the task of creating a Sikh Ministry
in the West. I know that the Sikh community in my district has the
utmost respect and gratitude for his labors on this behalf.
Mr. Speaker, Yogi Bhajan was a person who ``walked the walk''. He
used the beliefs and principles he believed in sincerely and
authentically to better the world, enhance his community and enlighten
his fellow human being. I am proud to honor him today.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support
House passage of H. Con. Res. 34, honoring the life and contributions
of Yogi Bhajan, a leader of Sikhs in the Western Hemisphere who passed
away October 6 of last year. Yogi Bhajan was a world leader in peace
and helped hundreds of thousands around the world during his ministry.
Born in India in 1929 as Harbhajan Singh Puri, Yogi Bhajan became a
master of kundalini yoga by age 16, but he showed his real strength in
1947 when he lead on foot 7,000 people from his village in what is now
Pakistan, over the partition and to safety as a refugee in present day
India.
After a successful career in the Indian government with Customs and
the IRS, Yogi Bhajan developed his commitment for his faith, Sikh
Dharma, washing for four straight years each night the floor of their
holiest temple, the Golden Temple.
In 1968 when Yogi Bhajan migrated to Canada and then in 1969 to the
United States, he recognized the disenchantment and spiritual yearning
that was felt by Western youth during the tumult of the 1960's and
began to teach them the technology of Kundalini Yoga and meditation.
That same year he incorporated the Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization
(3HO), whose Superhealth Drug Rehabilitation centers soon garnered top
awards and results from the Joint Accreditation Body for Healthcare
Organizations.
Through his personal efforts, Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated
and officially recognized as a religion in the U.S. in 1971. In 1971,
in acknowledgement of his extraordinary impact of spreading the
universal message of Sikhism, the president of the SGPC (governing body
of Sikh Temples in India), Sant Charan Singh called him the Siri Singh
Sahib, Chief Religious and Administrative Authority for the Western
Hemisphere, and he was given the responsibility to create a Sikh
Ministry in the West by the Akal Takhat, the Sikh seat of religious
authority in Amritsar, India. He was honored with the title Bhai Sahib
by the Akal Takhat in 1974. When he became a United States Citizen in
1976, Yogi Bhajan changed his name legally to Harbhajan Singh Khalsa
Yogiji.
Under his guidance as Director of Spiritual Education, 3HO mushroomed
worldwide, to 300 centers in 35 countries. In 1994 3HO became a member
of the United Nations as an NGO (Non-Governmental-Organization) in
Consultative Status (Roster) with the Economic and Social Council,
representing women's issues, promoting human rights and providing
education in alternative systems of medicine.
Loyal friend and mentor of Senators, Congressmen, and Governors
regardless of political affiliation, he promoted spiritual awareness in
all arenas. An ardent advocate of world peace and religious unity, the
Siri Singh Sahib met with world leaders of all faiths to encourage
dialogue, including Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, the Dalai Lama,
and two Archbishops of Canterbury. He became Co-President of the World
Fellowship of Religions in 1974.
He became a trusted management consultant for 14 corporations
worldwide, representing industries as diverse as health food
manufacturing (KIlT-Golden Temple Foods), computer systems (Sun and
Son), and security services (Akal Security). He conducted business
seminars and authored several books to guide the aspiring entrepreneur
as well as the seasoned executive.
He is survived by his wife, children, five grandchildren and all
those in his 3HO and Sikh Dharma families.
Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear
friend of mine and a man who was an incredible voice for peace--Yogi
Bhajan. H. Con. Res. 34 recognizes Yogi Bhajan, the late chief
religious and
[[Page H1745]]
administrative authority for Sikhism in the West, as a wise teacher and
mentor, an outstanding pioneer, a champion of peace and compassion, and
extends condolences to his family and to the Sikh community on his
passing.
A native of India, Yogi Bhajan introduced thousands around the world
to Sikhism, a religion that carries the message of truthful living and
the fundamental unity of humanity, and reaches out to people of all
backgrounds to work together for world peace. When he came to the
United States in 1968, Yogi Bhajan recognized immediately that the
experience sought by many young people through drugs could be
alternatively achieved through Kundalini yoga, which stimulates
individual growth through breath, chanting, and meditation among other
components. Soon after, he founded the Healthy, Happy, Holy
Organization (3HO), a nonprofit private educational and scientific
foundation with 300 centers in 35 countries, dedicated to improving
physical well-being, deepening spiritual awareness, and offering
guidance on matters of health and heart. He later also founded a
successful drug rehabilitation program that blends ancient yogic wisdom
of the East with modem technology of the West.
In 1971, the president of the governing body of Sikh Temples in India
gave Yogi Bhajan the title of chief religious and administrative
authority for Sikhism in the Western Hemisphere. That same year, the
Sikh Dharma was legally incorporated and recognized as a religion in
the U.S. and soon after, Yogi Bhajan founded the Sikh Dharma community
in Espanola, New Mexico. This community in my district is home to at
least 300 Sikh families.
Yogi Bhajan wrote 30 books and inspired 200 more through his
teaching, and inspired the founding of several businesses including
Akal Security Inc., one of the fastest-growing security companies in
the nation. Throughout his lifetime, he traveled the world and met with
world leaders such as Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama to discuss
world peace and religious unity. He also served as informal counsel to
numerous political and spiritual leaders. As the resolution states,
Yogi Bhajan's teachings and the businesses formed under his
inspiration, improved personal, political, spiritual and professional
relations between citizens of the United States and citizens of the
nation of India.
After the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil on September 11th, Yogi
Bhajan reached out to Sikhs across America, encouraging and helping
them to educate their fellow citizens about Sikhs, and to work with law
enforcement and community leaders to help them protect Sikh
populations. He established links to human rights advocates nationwide
to ensure that the issue of Sikh identity was understood and respected.
When a Sikh man named Balbir Singh Sodhi was murdered in Arizona five
days after 9/11, Yogi Bhajan worked with community and government
leaders in Arizona to help raise awareness about the Sikh community
there, and to honor Balbir Singh with a major memorial event.
Yogi Bhajan passed away on October 6, 2004 at age 75 in Espanola, New
Mexico. I had the privilege of Yogi Bhajan's friendship and support for
more than 20 years. He was a dynamic, powerful person with a strong
devotion to human rights, religious freedom, and good health. Whatever
your faith, Yogi Bhajan had the right words, the right lesson, the
right message. He spoke to us all and he inspired us. Around the world
he was a powerful voice for peace. I am pleased that he will be honored
by Congress today. Before he passed away, Yogi Bhajan requested that
his passing be a time of celebration of his going home. It is my hope
that through passing this legislation, we are helping to fulfill that
wish.
I would like to thank Representatives Joe Wilson, Joe Crowley, and
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen for their strong support of this resolution, as
well as Ranking Member Lantos and Chairman Hyde of the House
International Relations Committee, who were also early supporters of
the bill. I also thank Senators Jeff Bingaman, Pete Domenici, and John
Cornyn who are sponsoring the Senate companion. Lastly, I thank members
of the Sikh community in my district for their work in carrying on the
memory of Yogi Bhajan.
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution
and would like to thank my good friend from New Mexico, Mr. Udall, for
introducing this resolution.
As the former Co-Chair of the Caucus on India and Indian Americans
along with my colleague Mr. Wilson from South Carolina, we worked with
Tom Udall at the end of the 108th Congress to recognize the
contributions that Yogi Bhajan (YO-gee BUH-jin) made to India and to
the United States.
Due to the time constraints of the end of the session work, we were
unable to bring this before committee, but I am grateful we now have
the opportunity to honor a man whose words and deeds affected countless
people all over the world.
During his life, Yogi Bhajan introduced thousands around the world to
Sikhism, a religion that carries the message of truthful living and
fundamental unity of humanity and reaches out to people of all
backgrounds to work together.
Yogi Bhajan also applied his grass-roots approach to peace in the
business and non-profit organizations he founded.
He was a trusted management consultant for 14 corporations worldwide,
representing service industries as diverse as health food
manufacturing), computer systems and security services.
This resolution recognizes a wise teacher and mentor, an outstanding
pioneer, a champion of peace and compassionate human being, and extends
condolences on his passing.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution honoring Yogi
Bhajan.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Michigan (Mr. McCotter) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 34.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. McCOTTER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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