[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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