[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23671]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE GURU GOBIND SINGH FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSEPH CROWLEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize the completion of 
the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation and its opening, which will occur on 
October 2, 2005. I commend this organization for their dedication to 
the construction and also the inauguration of such an important 
spiritual center within the Sikh community. The Guru Gobind Singh 
Foundation (GGSF) is a Gurdwara, an institution with a hope to increase 
global awareness of Sikhism, the world's fifth largest religion, as 
well as enhance the image of Sikhs in order to bring them into the 
mainstream, especially in American society.
  Since its inception in 1985, GGSF has devoted its time and energy to 
promoting and highlighting the issues concerning Sikhs in the United 
States. Since 1987, this group has represented Sikhism in the Inter-
Faith Conference, held in Washington, DC, and in 1993, participated in 
the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. Also since 1987, they 
have consistently demonstrated their support for the Civil Rights 
Movement through their annual involvement in the birthday celebration 
of Martin Luther King, Jr. Uplifting local communities and focusing on 
the youth, GGSF has organized Punjabi and Gurmat classes every Saturday 
for 14 years in addition to camps, study circles and educational 
conferences.
  On an international scale, GGSF attended a Global Conference on 
Environment in Moscow in 1990, and various other conferences in Turkey, 
Greece, Japan and England, at which the organization fully represented 
Sikhism by illustrating its viewpoint on different topics. As early as 
1984, GGSF has adamantly worked for the protection of the human and 
civil rights of Sikhs in India.
  More recently, in March of 2000, the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation 
organized an inter-faith memorial service for the 40 Sikh victims of 
the Kashmir Massacre, a tragedy which occurred in India. After the 
unforgettable tragedy of 9/11, GGSF played a major role in representing 
Sikhism and creating awareness of the portrayal of Sikhs in the media 
since 9/11. Also, the organization worked closely with the White House, 
U.S. Congress, and civil liberties organizations and held press 
conferences to call attention to the racial profiling and to deter hate 
crimes against Sikhs.
  The Guru Gobind Singh Foundation has proven to be a cornerstone of 
the Sikh community and more importantly, of American society. This 
organization has continuously worked to increase Sikh participation in 
the religious, social, cultural and political fabric of America. While 
ensuring the protection of those members of the Sikh community, GGSF 
promotes mutual respect and human rights for all people, and 
contributes to the efficiency of dialogue and understanding among all 
religions.
  I commend not only their success over the years from its inception up 
to the inauguration of a new spiritual center, but also their 
undeniable commitment to the promotion of religious and cultural 
awareness both nationally and internationally. The Guru Gobind Singh 
Foundation serves as a strong, unified representative of Sikhism by 
communicating the interests and perspectives of the Sikh community to 
the American public and international organizations.
  Once again, I fully acknowledge the achievements of the Guru Gobind 
Singh Foundation and its undying determination to foster awareness and 
understanding of Sikhism in America.

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