[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 4529-4530]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CAPTAIN TEJDEEP SINGH RATTAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and honor one of my 
constituents, Captain Tejdeep Singh Rattan, for graduation today from 
the U.S. Army's Officer Basic Leader Course. Captain Rattan was 
recruited and commissioned by the U.S. Army in 2006 as part of the 
health professionals scholarship program. After completing his final 
year of dental work, he joined the U.S. Army Officer Basic Leader 
Course.
  Before joining the Officer Basic Leader Course, Captain Rattan 
contacted me to indicate his strong desire to continue serving the 
Nation he loves as a U.S. Army dentist while abiding by his Sikh 
articles of faith. These articles of faith include wearing a Sikh 
turban and maintaining uncut hair, including a beard. At the time of 
his recruitment, he was assured by Army recruiters that his articles of 
faith would be accommodated, only to later be informed that he must 
abandon his Sikh articles of faith in order to continue his duties as a 
United States Army officer.
  After learning of his case, I led a number of my House and Senate 
colleagues in sending letters to Secretary

[[Page 4530]]

Gates, requesting that the accommodations be made for Captain Rattan 
and all other Sikh Americans who wish to serve. Thanks in part to our 
efforts, Captain Rattan's accommodation request was granted. I am 
grateful to Secretary Gates and then-Secretary of the Army Pete Geren 
for reviewing and ultimately granting the accommodation. They have both 
shown tremendous foresight in recognizing that our Nation's 21st-
century fighting force should incorporate all aspects of American 
society.
  Sikhs fought bravely in defense of our Nation in both World Wars, the 
Korean War and the Vietnam War. At present, Sikhs serve in the 
militaries of Great Britain, Canada and India, among others, and as 
United States peacekeepers, often working closely with American troops 
in troubled regions.
  Throughout our Nation's history, the military has succeeded in 
training individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities to 
achieve one unifying goal, to protect and defend the United States. By 
denying Sikh officers the ability to appropriately practice their 
religion while serving, the Army denies itself access to the important 
talents and abilities of these individuals who are willing to fight and 
die for our Nation.
  No American should have to choose between his religion and service to 
our country. At a time when this country is fighting two wars overseas, 
we can ill afford to turn away skilled, accomplished and patriotic 
young Americans like Captain Rattan who wish to serve. Captain Rattan's 
achievement today underscores the importance of preserving diversity in 
our Armed Forces. It is a testament to one of the most fundamental 
values, freedom of religion upon which our Nation was founded and which 
makes the United States a beacon of hope and liberty throughout the 
world. I wholeheartedly congratulate him on this very important 
occasion.

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