Dan Burton

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Khalistani journalist Sukhbir Singh Osan. He died of a heart attack on January 19, 2002. Mr. Osan was only 31 years of age. Mr. Osan was a terrific reporter who exposed many scandals through his website, Burning Punjab. He reported many stories showing India's pattern of terrorism against its own people. In addition to running his website, he wrote for several Indian newspapers. The Indian government had banned the viewing of Burning Punjab in Punjab and a few neighboring states. When that did not shut down the site, India brought a fake criminal case against Burning Punjab, falsely claiming it was a ``newspaper'' operating out of Punjab. These actions make it clear that Mr. Osan's reports were greatly disturbing to the Indian government. Sukhbir Singh Osan was a courageous reporter, one of the few who would stand up to the Indian government. He will be greatly missed by the people whose interests he served, the Sikhs of Punjab, Khalistan, and by all the people who care about freedom in South Asia. The Council of Khalistan put out an excellent press release on Mr. Osan's passing. I am placing it in the Record in his memory. In addition, I would also like to insert a February 1, 2002, article from PPA News regarding the killing of Kashmiris by Indian soldiers. In Memory of S. Sukhbir Singh Osan Longtime Journalist, Founder of Burning Punjab, Exposed Human Rights Violations, Reported on Freedom Struggle--Government Had Filed False Case Against Burning Punjab, Banned It Washington, DC, January 21, 2002.--Sukhbir Singh Osan, 31, journalist and founder of the website Burning Punjab (http:// www.burningpunjab.com), died of a heart attack over the weekend. Sardar Osan also wrote for several Indian newspapers. ``The passing of Sardar Osan is a great loss for the Sikh Nation,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan. The Council of Khalistan is the government pro tempore of Khalistan and leads the struggle to liberate the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, which declared its independence from India on October 7, 1987. ``He was an excellent reporter and a stalwart Sikh who exposed the human- rights violations against the Sikhs by the Indian government and reported on the sikh freedom struggle,'' he said. ``His website, Burning Punjab, is one of the best sources available for news from Punjab, Khalistan.'' Osan was also a lawyer. Recently, the Indian government filed a false case against Burning Punjab, falsely claiming it was a ``newspaper.'' The Indian government had banned the viewing of Burning Punjab in Punjab and elsewhere in northwest India. A Deputy Inspector General was specifically assigned to ``deal with'' Sardar Osan. ``I think the stress from that false case may have brought about his heart attack,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Sardar Osan was one of the leading voices in exposing the Indian government's repression of the Sikhs,'' Aulakh said. ``He exposed phony Sikh leaders such as S.S. Mann, Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan, Didar Singh Bains, and others. This was an extremely important service,'' said Dr. Aulakh. According to a report in May by the Movement Against State Repression, India admitted that 52,268 Sikh political prisoners are rotting in Indian jails without charge or trial. Many have been in illegal custody since 1984. The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984. Over 75,000 Kashmiri Muslins have been killed since 1988. In May, Indian troops were caught red-handed trying to set fire to a Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) and some Sikh houses in Kashmir. Two independent investigations have proven that the Indian government carried out the March 2000 massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chithisinghpora. In August 1999, U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said that for Sikhs, Kashmiri Muslims, and other minorities ``India might as well be Nazi Germany.'' ``The service Sardar Osan gave to the Sikh Nation was immense,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``He is one of the few people in Punjab who was not afraid to tell the truth. The Sikh Nation will miss him very much,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``On behalf of the Sikh diaspora, I would like to offer my condolences to Sardar Osan's family. I can only hope that Burning Punjab will be continued in his memory.'' [From the PPA News, Feb. 1, 2002] Indian Soldiers Kill 376 Kashmiris in January 2002, 107 Women, Children Among Killed in Police Custody Islamabad (PPA).--The Indian army during its genocidal operations in the month of January 2002, killed 376 innocent citizens in held Kashmir including 107 killed in custody. According to statistical data compiled by the Research Section of the Kashmir Media Service, those who fell victim to Indian army's brutalities included 246 men, 11 men and 12 kids. During the month under review, 625 common people were tortured or critically injured by the Indian troops in the course of crackdowns upon villages, towns and cities. 630 people were arrested during the outgoing month without any valid charge against them while 139 houses and shops were arsoned by setting them on fire on using dynamite blasts. Twenty-one persons had been kidnapped or reported missing. Relatives of these persons forcibly disappeared by the Indian army have no access to them and they are worried about their missing loved ones. Molestation of women is one of the weapons being used by the Indian forces to terrorize people and 32 cases of gang rape and molestation were recorded during the month under review. Police and civilian authorities are reluctant to register complaints in this behalf and the victims are left to suffer their fate. The army personnel even threaten their victims of dire consequences if the matter was reported to the authorities.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, let me start off by thanking the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) for introducing this resolution. Mr. Speaker, Dave Thomas was one of the finest men that I ever knew. Dave was a personal friend of mine. I stayed with him many times when I was in Florida. We played golf together. He loved to play golf. Although he was not the greatest golfer in the world, he was very enthusiastic about it. The things I want to talk about today are the things I found out about Dave on a personal level. The gentlewoman from Ohio covered so much of his life very, very well. Let me just say Dave really was an American success story. When he was about 15 years old, he pretty much was on his own in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He dropped out of school. His real parents he never knew. He was adopted by a husband and wife. His adoptive mother died when he was about 12 years old. His father, because he had to move around for jobs, had to pretty much leave Dave in Fort Wayne when he was 15. Dave, I believe, stayed at the YMCA and worked as a busboy and worked in a restaurant there. After he became manager of the restaurant, as time went by he was asked if he would like to come to Columbus, Ohio, and take over four Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises for somebody who was about to go bankrupt. The fellow told him if you come over here and work with us, in 3 or 4 years we will either be bankrupt or you will own half of the restaurants. Dave was such a natural at this business and worked so hard that, after a time, he sold his interest in those four Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises for $1.5 million and became involved, as I understand it, with Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips and made some more money and decided to retire at a very young age. But he wanted one good hamburger restaurant. He said there was not a really good hamburger restaurant that he knew of, so he started one and named it after his daughter, Wendy, in Columbus, Ohio. The rest is history. As you know, that one restaurant, he only wanted one, ended up being 6,000 restaurants, many of which he owned and his corporation owned, and many franchised out to others. Dave became one of the most successful businessmen in America, and he was a high school dropout. He owned two jet planes, he had golf courses, he had radio stations, he had everything. He was just an amazing story. In fact, he won the Horatio Alger Award, which, of course, goes to people who have really been a success and realized the American dream. But not only that, he was very concerned about children, as the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) talked about. When he was a young boy, he did not have a family. He was on his own. He knew how important and how valuable family relationships are to kids, so he worked and spent his whole life trying to make sure that children who did not have parents who were in foster homes got loving parents. In his restaurants, if you looked at the little pads they put out for people to eat their food off of, all of them told about how you could adopt a child and what needed to be done. He even came to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Pryce) and me and worked very hard to get an adoptive stamp passed by the Congress and by the Postal Service and the Postal Stamp Commission that depicted children and talked about adoption so that some of the funds raised from those stamps could go to help children get adopted and get into loving homes. He even started a golf tournament called the Wendy's Three Tour Challenge, where you had the LPGA, the PGA, and Senior PGA play once a year with a series of teams; and all the proceeds from that tournament went to adoption of children, to his adoption foundation. He was truly a wonderful, wonderful man. His wife, Lorraine, was always very supportive. I got to know her very well. She is a wonderful lady; and, Lorraine, if you happen to be watching today, my sympathy goes out to you and your children. We are all going to miss Dave. He was a wonderful, wonderful man. A little story, an aside: I was playing golf one day down at Adios, which is a golf course that he helped found with a man named Ed Tutweiler, down in Florida; and Dave was telling me one day, he said, ``You know, they want me to do TV commercials, and I don't know if I can do those.'' I said, ``Dave, I think you would do a good job.'' I really did not know, but I was trying to give him encouragement. And he became one of the best spokesmen in America for his business. Everybody in this country knew Dave Thomas. As a matter of fact, he would come to Indianapolis; he came up there to visit a number of times on a speaking engagement. He came to Indianapolis one time, and we were sitting having dinner, when he came up, we always had dinner together, and two ladies came over from my congressional district. They came over to talk to Dave Thomas and he said, ``Do you know your Congressman?'' They said no, and he introduced my constituents to me. That is how well known he was. He was so well known that people knew him, but they did not even know their own Congressman. He was just an extraordinary man. I hope that my statements today tell Lorraine and the family and all the people that loved him who are over there in Dublin, Ohio, at the Wendy's headquarters how very much I really loved this guy. What you saw was what you got. When you saw him on TV, he was a lovable guy; and if you got to know him, as I knew him, you knew he was a lovable guy, and he really cared about his fellow man, especially children who did not have parents. The world is going to be a far less place for all of us now that he is gone. It was a far better place for all of us as long as he was here. The thing that was interesting about Dave is not only was he concerned about adoption, but he was concerned about sending a message to kids that they ought to get a good education. When he was in his sixties, he went back and got his GED; not because he needed it, but because he wanted to set an example for children to get a high school education. A high school down in Florida where he lived adopted him and had Dave and his wife come as the king and queen of their graduating class at their prom. Dave went with his tuxedo. Here he was, 60-some years old, and he and his wife were the king and queen of the prom. And do you know what? That class voted him the most likely to succeed, and I think it was a good choice. He was a wonderful man. Dave, I hope you are up there watching us. We love you and we miss you. I am sure that there is a good place in heaven for you.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great pioneer of medicine, the late Dr. William R. Fair, an accomplished cancer surgeon, who lost his brave battle with colon cancer on January 3, 2002. Dr. Fair was a tireless advocate for the scientific study of complementary medicine. From 1984 until 1997, Dr. Fair held the position of chairman of urology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Fair was a fruitful researcher who developed surgical techniques and treatments for prostate cancer. In collaboration with his colleagues, specimens of his tumor were used to develop an experimental vaccine for his cancer. Unfortunately, Dr. Fair never had the opportunity to use it. In 1995, Dr. Fair was diagnosed with colon cancer. In 1997, the cancer returned and according to his own words, ``there was little chance of a cure.'' That's when he embarked on medical approaches outside the confines of conventional cancer treatments. He began a regime of exercise, meditation, herbal treatments and a change in diet. He noted that he felt better and the tumors did shrink, if only for a while. Dr. Fair embraced complementary medicine, which is standard therapy matched with unconventional treatment. This practice, as Dr. Fair used to point out, is different than alternative medicine. As a medical scientist, he tested his approaches and was adamant about holding unconventional therapies to the same high standard as conventional therapies. In 2001, Dr. Fair and his son helped found the complimentary medicine center called Health, which is located in New York City. Dr. Fair firmly believed that unconventional therapies extended his life and to quote him ``even if they can't cure, they can certainly help heal.'' In fact, his own surgeon was astonished as to how long Dr. Fair survived after his 1997 recurrence of cancer. Dr. Fair was a Member of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. He received his doctor of medicine degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and did his residency in urology at Stanford University. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his son, his brother, Charles, of Norristown, PA, and his sister, Margaret Murtha, of Turnersville, NJ. I strongly urge my Colleagues to take a closer look at the promise of Complementary Medicine in the treatment of disease, and the work that Dr. Fair brought to this area of discovery. Dr. Fair will be sorely missed.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, the recent attack on India's Parliament by terrorists must be condemned. While there are many legitimate grievances against the Indian government, terrorism is never acceptable. Nevertheless, the Deccan Chronicle, an Indian newspaper, reported something very interesting about the recent attack. It reported that the Indian government knew about the attack in advance and did nothing. Thirteen people, including the terrorists, lost their lives as a result of the attack. Mr. Speaker, India has a history of supporting terrorism and making it look like the work of others in order to condemn people who oppose the actions of the Indian government and to justify their own attacks on these targets. According to Soft Target, published in 1989 by two Canadian journalists, the Indian government blew up its own airliner in 1985, killing 329 innocent people, including some Americans, to create the impression of ``Sikh terrorism'' and enhance its repression of the Sikhs. In November 1994, the Hitavada newspaper reported that the Indian government paid Surendra Nath, who was then the governor of Punjab, the equivalent of $1.5 billion to generate and support terrorist activity in Kashmir and Punjab, Khalistan. While I appreciate recent words of support from the Indian Government regarding America's war against terrorism, it is important that we do not forget some recent actions by the very same government. For example, in May 1999, the Indian Express reported that the Indian Defense Minister convened a meeting with the Ambassadors from Cuba, Communist China, Russia, Serbia, Libya, and Iraq--the latter two known terrorist nations and potential targets in the ongoing effort to eradicate terror--to set up a security alliance ``to stop the U.S.''. It is also important to re-examine India's own human rights record in a number of areas. It has been reported that India represses its Christian minority. Specifically, it has been reported that nuns have been raped, priests have been murdered, and a missionary and his two sons were burned to death. The media reports that numerous churches have been burned. A few years ago, police gunfire closed a Christian religious festival. In addition, the pro-Fascist RSS, the parent organization of the ruling party, published a booklet detailing how to bring false criminal complaints against Christians and other minorities. Press reports indicate that Prime Minister Vajpayee promised a New York audience that he would ``always be'' remain a member this organization. Since 1984, certain human rights organizations have reported that the Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs. Since 1947, over 200,000 Christians have been killed, and since 1988, over 75,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed. In addition, tens of thousands of other minorities, such as Dalit ``untouchables,'' Tamils, Assamese, Manipuris, and others have been killed. A May report issued by the Movement Against State Repression cited the Indian government's admission that 52,268 Sikh political prisoners are rotting in Indian jails without charge or trial. It further claims that many have been in illegal custody since 1984. Tens of thousands of other minorities are also being held as political prisoners in the country that proudly proclaims itself ``the world's largest democracy.'' Also in May, Indian troops set fire to Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) and some Sikh homes in a village in Kashmir. Two independent investigations have shown that the Indian government carried out the massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chithisinghpora. These incidents are just the tip of the iceberg of Indian terror against its minorities and its neighbors. Again, while I am grateful for recent words of support from the Indian Government regarding America's war against terrorists, the U.S. Government and the American public should not forget about these recent acts of repression. Democracies are not supposed to behave this way. If we are going to fight terrorism, then we must be consistent. There are actions we can take that will help influence India to end its reign of terror in South Asia. We must end our aid to India until they demonstrate a better regard on human rights. The hard-earned dollars of the American people should not be going to support countries that practice terrorism. We should also show our support for freedom rather than terrorism by supporting a free and fair plebiscite on the question of independence in Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagalim, and all the nations of South Asia that seek freedom from repressive occupation. Let us strike a blow for freedom, not terrorism. Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the Deccan Chronicle article into the Record. [From the Deccan Chronicle, Dec. 14, 2001] Delhi Knew But Advani Slept New Delhi, Dec. 13. Union Home Minister L K Advani had full intelligence information of a terrorist attack on Parliament. Despite this, no measures were taken to tighten security in and around the Parliament House with the five terrorists driving in past two security parameters manner by the Delhi police and the CRPF, unchallenged. In his first reaction to the terrorist attack, Advani claimed, ``There has been no breach of security.'' He said there was ``no intelligence lapse''. He said on television that there could be no protection against fidayeen attacks maintaining that they even ``had the temerity to attack Pentagon.'' The Home Minister said it was not possible to provide fool-proof security cover in a democracy ``where everything was open.'' The Union Home Ministry has been flooded with intelligence information about a possible attack on Parliament by terrorists. The other two targets were identified as Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Prime Minister's residence. Intelligence reports have also suggested the use of women suicide squads. These have also spoken of terrorists using State vehicles to launch the attack, similar to the modus operandi of the terrorist groups in Kashmir for over a decade now. Despite this, the security agencies were not alerted. The terrorists used a white ambassador car with a red light, the symbol of government officialdom. They were dressed Black Cat commandos, and were detected only after they got out of the car and displayed their weapons in full public view. Advani, who had been full of praise for the Delhi police, did not explain how the two security rings manned by the police outside Parliament were penetrated with such ease. In fact defence minister George Fernandes stepped out of line by admitting before the cameras that the government had full information about a possible terrorist attack on Parliament. He said, ``We had intelligence information of this, we knew that the fidayeen could attack Parliament.'' Even so, the home minister claimed there had been no intelligence lapse while briefing reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet committee on security. Najma Heptullah, who was in her room in Parliament when it was attacked, said, ``The Home Minister knew of the Al Qaeda threat, he should have increased the security in Parliament.'' She said she had herself asked for measures to be taken to beef up Parliament security. ``There are all these people roaming around all over the building'' but nothing had been done. Interestingly Advani himself spoke of a threat to Parliament at a Border Security Force function a few days ago. Officials point out that despite the security threat little was done to take stock of the entire situation and work out a comprehensive strategy to deal with it. ``It was all in the realm of talk, we have always known that the terrorists have been using and would use the cover of the government-like vehicles and uniforms to penetrate our security layers, but obviously we were unable to get this across to our people,'' a senior official said.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently missed rollcall vote 500. Had I been in attendance, I would have voted ``aye.''

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. I yield to the gentleman from Louisiana.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, today we are voting on the passage of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act. Everyone in Congress wants to see better and safer pharmaceuticals for children. As Chairman of the Committee on Government Reform, I have made oversight of health care issues a priority. In particular, I have been greatly concerned with the safety and efficacy of children's vaccines and drugs given to children with cancer. I am greatly concerned that we continue to inject babies and young children with vaccines that contain mercury--a known neurotoxin. I hope that through the passage of this bill that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes seriously the concerns of the public and Congress that all products given to children need to be adequately and appropriately tested in children to take the guess work out of safety and efficacy issues as well as dosing. I hope that the Department will make a priority of reviewing products that contain hazardous ingredients such as mercury. All products, including vaccines need to be safe and effective. Ingredients that have been banned in other forms of medication the way that thimerosal has, should certainly be high on the list for review and consideration of removal from the marketplace. Thimerosal, which has been used since the 1930's, is not routinely tested for safety and efficacy in new products. It was grandfathered in and the FDA and manufacturers presume it to be safe. We know a lot more about the neurotoxic affects of mercury today than we did in 1930. This mercury derivative may be a contributing factor in the dramatic rise in rates of autism, pervasive developmental disorders, and speech and language delays. While the FDA continues to state there is no proof of harm, they are making that presumption in the absence of scientific evidence. I continue to feel that these products pose an unacceptable risk to our nation's children and should be recalled. Every time the Institute of Medicine conducts a review of vaccine research, they have recommended research to look at the long-term effects of vaccines. To date the research funding in this area has been woefully inadequate. There is a paucity of data in the safety of children's vaccines. I hope that the Director of the National Institutes of Health will review the numerous research recommendations offered in several Institute of Medicine reports published in the last ten years and quickly move to develop a Request Agenda, including funding, and a Request for Proposal to be issued and funded next year. I will remain vigilant on this issue. I am also concerned that many of the drugs used in pediatric oncology are being used ``off-label''. While I support the option of using a drug off-label, I have been concerned that chemotherapy agents that are routinely given to children have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and found to be safe and effective for children and their specific type of cancer. We need to do a better job in pediatric cancers. We need safer, less toxic cancer treatments that do cure cancer and do not adversely affect a child's IQ, their hearing, speech, sight, their gait, and that do not generate secondary cancers. In this Bill there are provisions, which call for referral to the Advisory Committees disputes on labeling changes. As part of a Committee on Government Reform oversight investigation, we learned that many individuals who sit on FDA advisory committees have been granted waivers for their conflict of interests--financial ties to the companies or organizations affected by Committee on which they are serving. Stock ownership in affected or competing companies, research grants from affected or competing companies, or research grants or personal/financial interests in affected and competing products needs to be very carefully scrutinized. The FDA needs to be more cautious in the granting of waivers to financial conflicts of interest to its advisory committee members, especially those reviewing products that affect children. We must not have even the appearance of a conflict of interest in the review of safety and efficacy of products that will be given to our nation's children. I remain committed to improving our health care system. We as a government need to embrace the role of nutrition, lifestyle and behavior, traditional healing systems from other cultures, complementary and alternative medicine and work to gather the existing science in these and conventional medicines. We need to identify areas were there is a gap in the scientific evidence, and work aggressively to fill this research gap. We also need to provide accurate and balanced information to the public and allow Americans to make their own medical decisions. Additionally, we need to work to extend assess to therapies that are both safe and effective in government-funded programs where feasible.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman, and we will have it to him right away.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time. I think this is probably a very good bill and I support it. However, there are a few things I would like to say to the members of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, because I think it is very important, and I have not had an opportunity to do it before. One of the things that is not widely known is many of the children's vaccinations contain a substance called thimerosal, and thimerosal is a substance that is put in there as a preservative when they put many vaccinations in one vial. Thimerosal contains Mercury. Mercury is a toxic substance that should not be put in anybody's body, let alone children. Children get as many as 25 to 30 vaccinations by the time they go to school. Children get sometimes as much as 45 to 50 times the amount of Mercury in their systems that is tolerable in an adult and, as a result, many children suffer mental disorders because of this, according to some leading scientists. The number of children in America that are autistic has gone from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 500. We have an absolute epidemic of autism in this country. Many scientists around the world believe one of the major contributing factors is these toxic substances that are being used as preservatives in these vaccinations; in particular, mercury. Now, we have taken mercury out of all topical dressings. One cannot get a topical dressing now that has mercury in it, and yet there are a lot of substances such as eye drops, vaccinations and a whole host of things that contain mercury. I have talked to the FDA. We have had them before my committee many times. Two years ago we talked to them about the DPT shot. We asked them about mercury and we asked them about the other shots that have mercury in them, and they said they were going to try to get that substance out. They have not done so. I think it is, in large part, because many of the pharmaceutical companies want to use this because it does help enhance profits. But mercury should not be injected into any child. I would like to say to my colleagues who are maybe here in the Chamber or back in their offices, and I hope the chairman will listen to this, because we have been told that we should all get a flu shot because of the anthrax scare. Do Members know that the flu shots that we are getting at the doctor's office here in the Capitol contain mercury? Many scientists believe that mercury is a contributing factor to Alzheimer's as well as other children's diseases like autism. So I would just like to say to the chairman, I hope he will consider holding hearings as we have in our committee, because his committee is the committee of jurisdiction, to force the FDA to get toxic substances like mercury out of those vaccinations for children and adults, because it is not necessary. If they go to single shot vials, they do not need that in there. But they put 10 shots in one vial, and because they put the needle continually in there, they say they need to have mercury in there as a preservative. For the sake of our children, 1 in 500, in some parts of the country it is 1 in 180 are autistic now, it is an absolute epidemic, I suggest that anything that might be a contributing factor ought to be extricated from these vaccinations, and I hope the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood) will take a look at this problem.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be reintroducing this legislation in the Congress. It represents an important and critical step forward to improving our healthcare system. Throughout my career in Congress, I have always led efforts to examine and support complementary and alternative healthcare. In chairing the House Committee on Government Reform, we have learned a great deal about healthcare that represents a marketplace of over $30 billion dollars and is utilized by one out of every four Americans. One critical item we have discovered is the inequities that exist within the Internal Revenue Code that discourage good health and wellness. For example, many consumers often ask why there are no insurance benefits for dietary supplements, which are used primarily to maintain good health and wellness. Some dietary supplements, like Folic Acid, can help prevent disease or disease risks like birth defects. Many insurance companies would like to offer coverage to their beneficiaries who continually demand this type of coverage. Unfortunately, the tax code does not allow an insurer to offer this coverage without incurring tax liabilities to consumers and higher administration costs. This powerful disincentive needs to be removed so health insurers can begin developing meaningful and cost effective benefits for their beneficiaries and assist them in maintaining good health longer. I am pleased to be joined by five of my colleagues on the reintroduction of this bill. I am pleased that Mr. Cannon of Utah, Mr. Istook of Oklahoma, Mr. Paul of Texas, and Mr. Horn of California have joined as cosponsors in this bill. I am also pleased to be joined by the Gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Pallone in reintroducing this legislation. It emphasizes two other important things for my colleagues. This legislation is bipartisan and should be supported by members on both sides of the aisle. I also note last week the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy convened for one of its final meetings. This Commission will be issuing an important report and recommendations for the Congress and the Administration in March 2002. One of the several key recommendations that is likely to be made by the Commission is that the Congress begin reforming the Internal Revenue Code to support and encourage health insurance coverage for complementary health care. The federal government should be actively working to remove barriers to coverage and access to complementary health care. I look forward to reviewing that report when it is released next year and work with the Administration to implement the recommendations.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I was disturbed to read that the Indian government has once again put its utter contempt for basic human rights on public display. At a time when India is posturing as an ally in the fight against terrorism, it is commiting more terrorism against the minority peoples living within its own borders. The Indian government is currently holding Mrs. Paramjit Kaur Khalra and six other Sikh human-rights activists in detention supposedly ``to prevent disruption,'' or in other words to prevent them from carrying out peaceful political activities. Mrs. Khalra is the widow of Jaswant Singh Khalra, the late General Secretary of the Human Rights Wing, who exposed India's brutal policy of picking up young Sikhs, torturing them, killing them, then declaring their bodies ``unidentified'' and secretly cremating them. Mr. Khalra published a report showing that there had been at least 25,000 Sikhs victimized by this brutal policy. The Khalra Mission Committee, which Mrs. Khalra heads, in conjunction with other human-rights groups, has subsequently shown that the number is in excess of 50,000. After Mr. Khalra published this report, he received a phone call from a police official saying, ``We made 25,000 disappear. We can make one more disappear.'' On September 6, 1995, while he was washing his car, he was abducted by the police. One eyewitness who saw him while he was in custody said that he was severely tortured, to the point that he could barely eat. In late October 1995, Khalra was murdered in a police station. None of the police officials responsible for this heinous crime has ever been punished. All the Indian government has done is transfer them to other police stations, where they can find new victims to torture. According to ``The Politics of Genocide'' by Inderjit Singh Jaijee, the Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984, over 200,000 Christians in Nagaland since 1947, over 75,000 Kashmiri Muslims since 1988, and thousands and thousands of Dalit ``Untouchables,'' Tamils, Manipuris, Assamese, tribal people all in pursuit of ``Hindutva''--a Hindu state, society, and culture. Last year, a government official was quoted as saying that everyone who lives in India must either be a Hindu or be subservient to Hindus. That is not democracy, Mr. Speaker. It is theocracy. It takes more than elections to make a democracy; it takes genuine respect for basic human freedoms. I have serious misgivings about current U.S. plans to resume arms sales to India. We should very cautious in considering such an aid resumption, especially given India's terrible human-rights record. We should also support a free and fair plebiscite on independence in Khalistan, Kashmir, Christian Nagaland, and all the countries seeking their freedom from India. This is the best thing we can do for freedom, peace, prosperity, and stability in South Asia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to place an article from Burning Punjab on the detention of Mrs. Khalra into the Record at this time. [From the Burning Punjab News, Nov. 2, 2001] Mrs. Khalra Held (Our Correspondent) Amritsar, November 2--The police today early morning arrested Mrs Paramijit Kaur Khalra of the Khalra Mission Committee to prevent disturbance of the peace in the state. She reportedly was arrested at 4:30 a.m. hours before the arrival of the Prime Minister at 10 a.m. today reportedly from her residence here. The police also rounded-up six others, including Kirpal Singh Randhwa PHRO vice-president.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, due to a serious illness in my family, I was regrettably unable to be present for legislative business scheduled for November 6-8, 2001. Had I been present I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes numbered 426-434.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on Friday, October 26th, my good friend Jerry Solomon passed away after suffering congestive heart failure. What a great loss for this institution and for the constituents he once served. Jerry was a Member of this Chamber for 10 terms serving from 1979- 1999. Ask anyone who served with him, and they will remember him as an outspoken and tenacious advocate for his views and constituents. I knew Jerry well and he was second to none in this Chamber. In losing Jerry, we lost a tremendous patriot and committed public servant. He was often referred to by his fellow colleagues as ``the Pit Bull of the House.'' And, although he enjoyed his work in Washington and in the International arena, he always said his greatest enjoyment came from successfully helping people back home in his district cope with problems they had with the Federal bureaucracy. He was very proud of the often repeated comments on the streets back in his district that ``you may not always agree with Jerry Solomon, but you sure as hell know where he stands on the issues.'' His commuting back home every weekend catapulted him to re-election usually by overwhelming 3-1 margins during his ten terms in Congress. Jerry Solomon also devoted more than fifty years of his life in active involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, having been a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, scoutmaster, and serving as an advisor to numerous scout councils. In support of the scouting movement he also founded the Gerald B.H. Solomon Freedom Foundation as a not-for-profit charitable organization whose goals are to preserve and promote freedom and democracy and to specifically provide college scholarships to high school students who attain Boy and Girl Scout's highest awards. He was recently honored by Twin Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America where he received the James E. West ``Good Scout Award'' for almost six decades of service to scouting. During his Congressional career, which spanned 20 years serving in the House of Representatives, Jerry devoted most of his time to the issues of veterans, senior citizens, foreign policy, national defense, the war on drugs, and the budget. During the 1980's, Jerry was one of thirteen House members that served on President Ronald Reagan's group of congressional advisors and floor generals for foreign policy, national defense and budgetary initiatives. As a veteran member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, a Committee on which I also served, and as chairman of the National Defense Task Force, Jerry Solomon was instrumental in helping to develop President Reagan's ``Peace Through Strength'' policies that helped bring down the Soviet Union. During President Reagan's tenure, he appointed Jerry Solomon to serve in dual capacities as Ambassador Delegate to the United Nations and Congressional Advisor to the U.N. Session on Disarmament. Starting in 1980, Jerry served for 18 years as the Republican representative to the North Atlantic Assembly, the political arm of NATO. He also served as chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives NATO Observer Group, responsible for promoting the enlargement of NATO. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Jerry co-chaired the Task Force on Developing Parliamentary Institutions where he helped establish libraries and computer communications systems for twenty-one former communist countries like Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and the Baltics. Jerry Solomon recently parlayed his vast knowledge and years of experience into a book, ``NATO in the Twenty-First Century.'' During his entire Congressional career, Congressman Solomon, Jerry to all his friends and colleagues, was recognized as one of the most fiscally conservative members of Congress, fighting deficit spending, long before it became fashionable, forcing his own balanced budget onto the floor of the House of Representatives. He also authored a book on how and why a balanced budget is needed. In his capacity as Chairman of the Rules Committee, he revamped the rules under which the House operates, abolishing proxy voting, opening all meetings to the media and the public, making Congress subject to the same laws that the American people live under and he reduced the size and power of Congress by eliminating many Committees and Subcommittees resulting in one-third fewer Congressional employees. As a young man Jerry enlisted in the Marines where he served for 8\1/ 2\ years on active and reserve duty. As a Congressman, his fondness and respect for the Marines never waned. As the Ranking Republican on the Veterans' Affairs Committee, he was recognized by the veteran's community as one of their strongest advocates. He authored the bill that created the cabinet level Department of Veterans' Affairs and co-authored the establishment of the new peacetime G.I. Bill. Two awards presented to him that he cherished most were being selected by the United States Marine Corps and Marine Corps League to receive the coveted ``Iron Mike Award'' previously given to a select few like John Wayne, Bob Hope, Howard K. Smith, and several former commandants of the Corps. The other recognition being the Distinguished Citizen Award presented to him by the National Congressional Medal of Honor Society for his legislative successes on behalf of the United States military and veterans issues. Who do you call when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting the burning of the flag was unconstitutional? Jerry Solomon, the ``Pit Bull of the House'' was given the assignment to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting desecration of the flag. The Solomon Amendment passed overwhelmingly in the House but failed by one vote in the Senate. It is with great sadness that I bid my good friend, Jerry Solomon, farewell. May he always be remembered for the good father and husband that he was, and his relentless efforts to promote pride, patriotism and volunteerism. He proudly and unabashedly showcased his love for his family and his country every day of his life.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, in 1995 the Indian law known as the ``Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA)'' expired. It was one of the most repressive laws ever put on the books anywhere in the world. It allowed people to be picked up for any reason or no reason, held without charge or trial for an indefinite period, deprived them of the right to know of the charges against them or face their accusers. The law was widely abused. When a rare TADA defendant would get released, the police would immediately pick him up again and often would file TADA complaints in more than one jurisdiction to make it impossible to contest. Despite the fact that it expired over six years ago, the Movement Against State Repression reports that over 52,000 Sikhs are being held as political prisoners in India, most under TADA and many of them since 1984. India took TADA off the books under intense political pressure but continued to enforce it. Now the country that likes to boast of being ``the world's largest democracy'' has taken advantage of the terrorist incident that occurred in September to promulgate a law called the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) that makes TADA look mild. Twenty three organizations have already been banned under POTO, including the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a group that has engaged in peaceful political protest for human rights and sometimes for independence for the Sikh homeland, Khalistan. This ban just goes to show that in the eyes of the Indian government, anyone who speaks up peacefully for freedom for for freedom is considered a ``terrorist.'' Oddly, it also bans the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which India today reported was a creation of the Indian government and whose leaders, according to the article, were put up in Delhi's finest hotel. In addition, POTO provides for suppression of information, and therefore makes journalists subject to terrorism charges if they publish information unfavorable to the government. It makes the furnishing of certain information to police investigators mandatory with a prison term of up to three years for failure to tell them what they want to hear and it allows for coerced confessions. A respected retired Indian general, General Narindr Singh, said ``Punjab is a police state.'' Under POTO, minorities in India will be forced to live in a police state, which is even more brutal than before. Unfortunately, the United States has been trying to strengthen its ties with India, which in the past, voted to throw the United States off the Human Rights Commission and to suppress a resolution critical of Red Chinese human-rights violations. India, a longtime Soviet ally, votes against the United States at the UN more often than any country except Cuba. According to the Indian Express, India's Defense Minister, led a meeting in 1999 with the Ambassadors of Red China, Cuba, Russia, Yugoslavia, Libya, and Iraq to set up a security alliance ``to stop the U.S.'' Mr. Speaker, why should a country with a long record of anti- Americanism be a recipient of U.S. aid? The obvious answer is that it should not. The hard-working, overtaxed people of this country should not be supporting this brutal, corrupt, and hostile country. We should stop all U.S. id to India, restore the sanctions previously in place against that country, and put the Congress on record in support of a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir, in Punjab, Khalistan, in Christian Negaland, and everywhere that people are seeking their freedom from this brutal regime. It is our obligation to the principles that give birth to our great country. Mr. Speaker, on October 26, the Tribune News Service in India ran an excellent article on the repressive new POTO law, which I would like to place in the Record at this time. [From the Tribune News Service, Oct. 26, 2001] Centre Bans 23 Terrorist Outfits New Delhi, October 25--The Centre today justified the promulgation of the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) saying it is the first comprehensive legal salvo against terrorism with complete safeguards to check the menace speedily and effectively. Under the ordinance, 23 organizations have been banned. Briefing newspersons here, Union Home Secretary Kamal Pande said care had been taken to ensure that the 50-page, 61-clause ordinance avoided all pitfalls and criticisms that the erstwhile Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Prevention Act (TADA), which expired in 1995, had to face. Justifying the promulgation of the ordinance, Mr. Pande said there was an upsurge in terrorist activities, intensification of cross-border terrorism and insurgent groups in different parts of the country and the existing criminal justice system was not designed to deal with the types of heinous crimes that had appeared in the country in the past 50 years. The ordinance defines terrorist acts as those done by using weapons and explosive substances or other methods in a manner as to cause or likely to cause death or injuries to persons or loss or damage to property or disruption of essential supplies and services with intent to threaten the unity or integrity of India or to strike terror in any section of the people. It also has a comprehensive definition of terrorist organizations indulging in terrorist acts and provides for proscribing them under a set procedure. A total of 23 organizations have been banned under the ordinance, which Mr. Pande said, would be placed before Parliament in the form of a Bill for approval soon. ``The ordinance, of course, will have to be passed through Parliament as it will be valid for a maximum period of six months . . . it will be placed before Parliament,'' he said. Stating that all state governments and other departments concerned were consulted twice on the various provisions of the ordinance and their suggestions were taken note of and included wherever necessary before it was promulgated, Mr. Pande said ``special features/safeguards have been built in to prevent the possibility of misuse of the special power given to investigating authorities also keeping in view the observations of the Supreme Court.'' Asked about the mounting criticism over the clause pertaining to ``disclosure of information'', which is equally applicable to journalists, Mr. Pande said the clause was in line with the provisions pertaining to suppression of information already existing in CrPC and the IPC. Section 3(8) of the ordinance places responsibility on all persons to disclose information which the person knows or believes to be of material assistance in preventing any terrorist activity as soon as reasonably practicable to the police. However, exception has been provided in case of persons engaged as legal attorney of the accused who may have acquired such knowledge for the purpose of preparing the defense for the accused. Section 14 provides a new provision which makes it obligatory to furnish information in respect of a terrorist offense. Failure to furnish the information called for or deliberately furnishing false information to investigating officer shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or fine or both. The investigating officer can call for such information only with prior approval in writing of an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police. Mr. Pande said Section 32 provided for admissibility of confessions made to a police officer under certain conditions. But unlike TADA, the confession of an accused shall not be admissible as an evidence against a co-accused. Further such confessions had to be made before a police officer not lower in rank of a SP and had to be further recorded with a Chief Judicial Magistrate within 48 hours. There is a provision to review the ban and a review committee headed by a sitting or retired judge of a high court will be constituted to hear such applications. Financing of terrorism, possession of unauthorised arms, explosive substances or other lethal weapons capable of mass destruction and/or use in biological and chemical warfare have also been brought under the purview of this ordinance and the punishment could range from three years imprisonment to life imprisonment or fine or both and also death penalty. Twenty-three organisations, including Deendar Anjuman, the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and some of the almost defunct outfits in Punjab have been branded as terrorist organisations in the ordinance. The hurriedly promulgated ordinance lists the Babbar Khalsa International, the Khalistan Commando Force, the Khalistan Zindabad Force and the International Sikh Youth Federation among the list of terrorist outfits. The ordinance has also branded almost all Kashmiri and North-East militant outfits and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as terrorist organisations. The outfits operating in Kashmir, which have been listed as terrorist organisations, are the Lashkar-e-Toiba/Pasban-e- Ahle Hadis, the Jaish-e-Mohammed/Tahrik-e-Fuqran, the Harkat- ul-Jehad-e-Islami, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and the Jammu and Kashmir Islamic Front. The North-East outfits which have been branded as terrorist organisations, under Chapter III of the ordinance which deals with the terrorist organisations, are the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), the Kanglei Yaol Kanba Lup (KYKL), the Manipur People's Liberation Front (MPLF), the All-Teipura Tiger Force and the National Liberation Front of Tripura. Meanwhile, the government will seek to replace three ordinances, including the controversial POTO in the forthcoming winter session of Parliament beginning on November 19. The Union Cabinet, at its special meeting here today, decided not only on the dates of Parliament's winter session but also on seeking the passage of the three ordinances. Briefing newspersons after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said the government was confident of getting the Opposition's support on POTO, despite some of the parties having extreme reservations on it. POTO seeks to fill the void created following the lapsing of TADA. The minister was of the view that such a law was necessary in the prevailing conditions in the country and would help the government and the police in combating terrorism. He added that the Opposition was equally concerned about terrorism. The minister said that two other ordinances, seeking to replace the ordinance on passport and the buy-back of shares would also come up for consideration during the session, which would have a total of 23 sittings. The Bill seeking to replace the ordinance on passport would give the government, both the Centre and state, powers to suspend the passport or the travel documents of any citizen who it may suspect to be a terrorist. The ordinance signed by President K.R. Narayanan, came into force from October 23. It seeks to make amendments to the Indian Passport Act of 1967. The ordinance on buy-back of shares was promulgated following a long-pending demand of the industry. It will enable companies to buy-back up to 10 percent of their equity every six months against the prevailing restriction of two years.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, standing on the hallowed grounds of Ellis Island--the portal through which 17 million immigrants entered the United States--cast of ethnic Americans who have made significant contributions to the life of this Nation were presented with the coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor at an emotionally uplifting ceremony. NECO's annual medal ceremony and reception on Ellis Island in New York Harbor is the Nation's largest celebration of ethnic pride. Representing a rainbow of ethnic origins, this year's recipients received their awards in the shadow of the historic Great Hall, where the first footsteps were taken by the millions of immigrants who entered the United States in the latter part of the 19th century. ``Today we honor great ethnic Americans who, through their achievements and contributions, and in the spirit of their ethnic origins, have enriched this country and have become role models for future generations,'' said NECO Chairman William Denis Fugazy. ``In addition, we honor the immigrant experience--those who passed through this Great Hall decades ago, and the new immigrants who arrive on American soil seeking opportunity.'' Mr. Fugazy added, ``It doesn't matter how you got here or if you already were here. Ellis Island is a symbol of the freedom, diversity and opportunity-ingredients inherent in the fabric of this nation. Although many recipients have no familial ties to Ellis Island, their ancestors share similar histories of struggle and hope for a better life here.'' Established in 1986 by NECO, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America's unique cultural mosaic. To date, approximately 1,400 American citizens have received medals. NECO is the largest organization of its kind in the United States serving as an umbrella group for over 250 ethnic organizations and whose mandate is to preserve ethnic diversity, promote ethnic and religious equality, tolerance and harmony, and to combat injustice, hatred, and bigotry. NECO has a new goal in its humanitarian mission: saving the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. NECO has found The Forum's Children Foundation, which brings children from developing nations needing life-saving surgery to the United States for treatment. Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients are selected each year through a national nomination process. Screening committees from NECO's member organizations select the final nominees, who are then considered by the board of directors. Past Ellis Island Medals of Honor recipients have included several U.S. Presidents, entertainers, athletes, entrepreneurs, religious leaders, and business executives, such as William Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, George Bush, Richard Nixon, George Pataki, Mario Cuomo, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Michael Douglas, Gloria Estefan, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Elie Wiesel, Muhammad Ali, Mickey Mantle, General Norman Schwarzkopf, Barbara Walters, Terry Anderson, Dr. Michael DeBakey, Senator John McCain, and Attorney General Janet Reno. Congratulations to the 2001 Ellis Island Medals of Honor Recipients This year's recipients and their ethnic communities are Melvyn Aaronson, Treasurer UFT, (Lithuanian/Polish/Russian); Monte Ahuja, Chairman and CEO, Transtar Industries, Inc. (Indian); George L. Argyros, Chairman & CEO, Arnel & Affiliates, (Hellenic); Ted J. Balestreri, Chairman and CEO, Cannery Row Company/Sardine Factory, (Italian); Stasys J. Baras, Executive V.P., Director, Lithuanian Foundation Inc., (Lithuanian); Richard H. Bard, Chairman & CEO, Bard & Co., Inc. (Russian); Donald D. Belcher, Chairman and CEO, Banta Corporation, (Irish/Scottish); Robert A. Belfer, Chairman & CEO, Belco Oil and Gas Corporation (Polish); John Montgomery Belk, Chairman and CEO, Belk, Inc. (English/Scottish/Irish); Lawrence Peter ``Yogi'' Berra, Retired Yankee great, (Italian); Bill C. Beutel, WABC-TV Anchorman, (German/ English); Madeline Boyd, Member of the Board, NY Mercantile Exchange, (Irish); Rick Boyko, President and CCO Ogilvy & Mather, (Ukrainian/Italian); David D. Carr, President & CEO, Brennan Industries, (Russian/English); Thomas F. Carr, President, Thomas F. Carr & Associates, Inc., (Irish); Henry J. Caruso, Chairman and CEO, HJC Investment Corporation, (Italian); Sonny Chabra, CEO, AMC Corporation (Indian); Gus A. Chafoulias, Chairman, Chafoulias Company Inc., (Hellenic); Arthur Cheliotes, President, CWA Local 1180 Communications Workers of America, (Hellenic); Mary Higgins Clark, Author, (Irish); Hon. Una S. Tomlinson-Clarke, NYC Council Member, (Caribbean); Robert A. Cornog, Chairman, President, and CEO, Snap-On, Inc. (Welsh); Christos M. Cotsakos, Chairman & CEO, E* TRADE Group Inc., (Hellenic); George E. Danis, CEO, IntegraTECH Solutions, (Hellenic); William E. Davis, Chairman & CEO, Niagara Mohawk Holdings, (Irish/English). Erroll B. Davis, Jr., Chairman, President & CEO, Alliant Energy, (African); Earnest W. Deavenport, Jr., Chairman & CEO, Eastman Chemical Company, (Irish/Scottish); Sr. Marion DeFeis, Chaplain, NYC Department of Corrections (Italian); Philip R. DiGennaro, Managing Director/Group Leader, TIAA- CREF, (Italian); Simos C. Dimas, Attorney, Pavia and Harcourt, (Hellenic); H.E. Bishop Stephen H. Doueihi, Office of the Bishop, Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, (Lebanese); Nikitas Drakotos, President and CEO, M & N Management Corp., (Hellenic); Brigid Driscoll RSHM, Ph. D., President Emerita, Marymount College, (Irish); Col. Brian Duffy, Astronaut, NASA/USAF (Irish); Anthony Drexel Duke, Founder & President Emeritus, Boys & Girls Harbor, (English/ Spanish); Archie W. Dunham, Chairman, President & CEO (Native American/English/Irish/Scottish/German); John R. Durso, President, Local 338, (Italian, Irish, German, Danish); Robert M. Dutkowsky, Chairman, President, & CEO, GenRad Inc., (Polish); Charles S. Ensley, President, AFSCME Local 371, (African); Joseph J. Esposito, Chief of Department NYPD (Italian); Jamie Farr, Actor, (Lebanese); James L. Ferraro, Esq., President, Ferraro & Associates, (Italian); Kenneth Fisher, Partner, Fisher Brothers (Russian). Renee Fleming, Soprano, (Czech/Scottish/Welsh); Charles L. Flynn Jr., Ph.D., President, College of Mount St. Vincent, (Italian/Irish); Harry C. Fotopoulos, President & CEO, INT Management, (Hellenic); Joseph L. Fox, President, J. Fox Investigations, (Irish/English); William P. Galatis, Executive Director, Sports Museum of New England, (Hellenic); George G. Gellert, Chairman, Atalanta Corp., (Russian/ Hungarian); Michael J. George, President, Melody Foods, Inc., (Chaldean); Lt. Col. Rodney W. Gettig, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, (French/German); Hon. Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mayor of New York City, (Italian); Jack M. Greenberg, Chairman & CEO, McDonald's Corp., (Eastern European); Pedro J. Greer, Jr., M.D., Assistant Dean for Homeless Education, University of Miami School of Medicine, (Cuban/Irish); Gedalio Grinberg, Chairman & CEO, Movado Group Inc., (Cuban); Hon. Felix Grucci, Jr., Congressman, United States Congress, (Italian); Edward Guiliano, President & CEO, New York Institute of Technology (Italian); Charles J. Hamm, President, CEO, & Chairman, Independence Community Bank Corp., (Irish/Swiss); Marion R. Harris, CEO, International & Domestic Development Corp., (African); Alan G. Hassenfeld, Chairman & CEO, Hasbro, Inc. (Polish); Ralph Hittman, Retired Executive Director, Boys Brotherhood Republic of New York, Inc., (Austrian/ Polish); David R. Holmes, Chairman, The Reynolds & Reynolds Company, (English/Irish/German); Morton P. Hyman, Chairman & CEO, Overseas Shipholding Group Inc., (Russian). Joseph F. Inzinna, M.D., Founder & Medical Director, Medical Imaging, P.A., (Italian); U.S. Army General George Joulwan (Ret.) (Lebanese); Vice Admiral Michael P. Kalleres, USN (Ret.), Naval Fleet Commander, (Hellenic); Dimitrios Kaloidis, Owner, Terrace on the Park, (Hellenic); Bozena Kaminski, President, Polish and Slavic Center, (Polish); Stephen P. Kaufman, Chairman, Arrow Electronic Inc., (Russian/Romanian/Austrian/Hungarian); Hon. Bernard B. Kerick, Police Commissioner, NYCPD (Russian/Irish); Peter E. Kilissanly, President & COO, Preferred Employers Holdings, Inc., (Lebanese); Soonja Park Kim, President, M.K. Enterprise Inc., (Korean); Richard Jay Kogan, Chairman & CEO, Schering- Plough Corp. (Russian/Austrian/Hungarian); Evris Kontos, President & Founder, Kontos Foods, (Cypriot); John A. Koumoulides, M.A., Ph.D., Professor of History, Ball State University, (Hellenic); Richard L. Krzyzanowski, Esq., Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., (Polish); Vello Alexander Kuuskraa, President, Advanced Resources International, Inc., (Estonian); Ralph J. Lamberti, Executive Vice President, Staten Island University Hospital, (Italian); Evelyn H. Lauder, Sr. Corporate Vice President, The Estee Lauder Companies Inc., (Austrian); Jay Lee, President & CEO, By Design LLC, (Korean); Joseph H. Lemieux, Chairman & CEO, Owens-Illinois (English/Canadian); Howard Li, Chairman & CEO, Waitex International Co., Inc., (Chinese); Michael F. Manzulli, Chairman & CEO Richmond County Bank, (Italian); Markos Marinakis, President & CEO, MKM Chartering Inc., (Hellenic); Hon. Dominic R. Massaro, Justice, Supreme Court of New York (Italian); Joseph A. Melillo, Chairman, Richmond Investment Corp., (Italian); Samuel H. Miller, Co-Chairman & Treasurer, Forest City Enterprises, Inc. (Polish/Russian); Sidney A. Miller, Chairman, Delta Financial Corp., (Romanian/ Russian); Larry A. Mizel, Chairman & CEO, MDC Holdings, Inc., (Russian/Polish). Joseph Monti, President, Crest Hollow Country Club, (Italian); Nicola Mossa, President, Nico Hairstylists, Inc., (Italian); John H. Myers, President, GE Asset Management Inc., (German); Richard J. Naclerio, Ret. President & CEO, Naclerio Contracting Co., Inc. (Italian); Richard Nicotra, President, The Nicotra Group, (Italian); Hon. George Onorato, Senator, NY State Senate, (Italian); Paul J. Orfalea, Founder & Chairperson Emeritus, Kinko's Inc. (Lebanese); Constantine Papadakis, Ph.D., President, Drexel University & MCP, Hahnemann University, (Hellenic); Peter J. Pappas, CEO & President, P.J. Mechanical Corp. (Cypriot); John Youn Young Park, President, Four Seasons Fashions, (Korean); Margaret LaGana Pataki, Volunteer & Homemaker, (Italian/Irish); Kathleen M. Peslie, Principal, Peslie Financial Group, (Italian); Joseph Pfeifer, President, Joseph Pfeifer Foundation (German); Vincent T. Pica, Vice Chairman Voyant Corporation, (Italian); Diane Portnoy, President/Director/Co- Founder, The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc., (Polish); Leslie C. Quick, (Posthumously) Former Chairman & CEO Quick & Reilly/Fleet Securities, Inc. (Irish); Peter Quick Jr., President, American Stock Exchange, (Irish/English); Richard S. Rhee, M.D., Clinical Professor of Neurology, UMD of NJ & President of KAHF, (Korean); Daniel D. Ricciardi, M.D., Chief, Division of Rheumatology, LI College Hospital, (Italian); Marie Rust, Director N.E. Region, National Park Service, (Italian). Jim Ryan, TV Anchor, FOX 5, (Irish); Peter John Sacripanti, Attorney/Partner-In-Charge, McDermott, Will & Emery, (Italian); Nicholas J. Sakellariadis, Managing Director, Salomon Smith Barney, (Hellenic); Charles G. Samiotes, Chairman, Samiotes Consultants, Inc., (Hellenic); Camille F. Sarrouf, Esq., Attorney, Sarrouf, Tarricone & Flemming, (Lebanese); Hon. Bret Schundler, Mayor Jersey City, (German); Robert A. Sgarlato, President, Slater & Sgarlato P.C., (Italian); Joseph Shaker, Chairman, Shaker Advertising Agency, Inc., (Lebanese); Sinan Sinanian, President, Sinanian Development Inc. (Lebanese/Armenian); Shun Yen Siu, Chairman & CEO, Lafayette 148, Inc., (Chinese); Kaloust P. Sogoian, CEO, Director of Engineering, K P Sogoian Mfg. Inc., (Armenian); Daisy M. Soros, Philanthropist, (Hungarian); Ted G. Spyropoulos, President, TGS Petroleum Co. Inc., (Hellenic); Jerry Stiller, Actor, 2000 Medalist, (Polish); Frank Stillo, Chairman & CEO, Sandy Alexander Inc. (Italian); Christopher Stratakis, Senior Partner, Poles, Tublin, Patestides & Stratakis LLP, (Hellenic); Fred R. Sullivan, Chairman, Richton International Corp., (Irish/Welsh); Thomas C.C. Sung, Chairman & CEO, Abacus Federal Saving Bank, (Chinese); Anthony J. Szuezczewicz, President Polonia Bank, (Polish); Ivan Tiger, Secretary/Treasury New York State United Teachers, (Russian); Joseph Volpe, General Manager, Metropolitan Opera, (Italian); Farah M. Walters, President & CEO, University Hospitals Health System, (Persian); Bruce D. Wardinski, Chairman & CEO, Crestline Capital, (Irish/Polish); Ludwik Wnekowicz, President, Doma Export Co. Inc., (Polish); James G. Wood, Executive Director, New York State United Teachers, (German/Welsh); Emily Woods, Chairman J. Crew Group Inc., (Dutch/Austrian/Russian); Stephen G. Yeonas, Chairman, Stephen G. Yeonas Co., (Hellenic); Hon. Dennison Young, Jr., Counsel to the Mayor, Office of the Mayor, (Russian/Polish/ Latvian) and Dr. Joseph Zagame, Philatelist, Italia Philatelic Society, (Italian).

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, last weekend, October 6 and 7, the Council of Khalistan held its annual convention down in Atlanta. It was very successful. The organization laid out strategies for liberating the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, discussed the political situation there, worked on the concerns of Sikhs here in America, and passed several resolutions. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Council of Khalistan on a successful convention. Mr. Speaker, freeing Khalistan is an important effort to secure freedom for the Sikh people. America was founded on the principles of freedom and self-determination and these things are the birthright of all people. Yet the response of ``democratic'' India is to use force to suppress the natural yearning for freedom. India is a land of massive human-rights violations. Secretary Powell is there now and we hope that he can maintain good relations with India and that no violence breaks out. But I also hope he will press the Indian government on its abysmal human-rights record and its record, until very recently, of anti-Americanism. It is holding over 52,000 Sikhs as political prisoners without charge or trial, according to a recent report by the Movement Against State Repression. Dr. Aulakh, the President of the Council of Khalistan, recently wrote to Secretary Powell urging him to seek the release of these political prisoners during his visit to India. We should insist on full and active support for our anti-terrorist efforts. We should also insist that India begin to respect basic human rights. If they do not, we should maintain our sanctions on India and cut off its aid. And we should go on record for an end to the terrorism in South Asia by publicly supporting a free and fair plebiscite with international monitoring on the issue of freedom in Punjab, Khalistan, in Kashmir, in Christian Nagaland, and all the nations that seek their freedom. Only then can real security, freedom, and peace reign in South Asia. Mr. Speaker, the Council of Khalistan has published a press release on its convention. I would like to place it in the Record. Delegates Discuss Strategies to Liberate Khalistan, Pass Resolutions for Khalistan, Other Sikh Causes Washington, DC, Oct. 9, 2001.--The Council of Khalistan's annual international convention was held this past weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. It was very successful. A large number of delegates came from around the United States and Canada. The convention honored Khalistan Day, the anniversary of the declaration of independence by the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, which took place on October 7, 1987. The Council of Khalistan was constituted at that time to serve as the government pro tempore of Khalistan and lead its struggle for independence. The convention mapped out strategy to bring about the liberation of Khalistan. There was much very inspired, energetic, and intelligent discussion of how to move the freedom struggle forward. Delegates also passed several resolutions, including resolutions demanding a free and fair plebiscite on independence in Khalistan and the other nations India occupies; demanding the release of Sikh and other political prisoners; to form a Khalsa Raj Party to liberate Khalistan; to let human-rights organizations into Punjab; condemning the attacks on Sikhs and other minorities since the September 11 terrorists acts at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; condemning the attack on the United States; to raise money for the Washington office; to nominate Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, for the Nobel Prize; naming Dr. Aulakh Khalistan Man of the Year; condemning Simranjit Singh Mann and Tarlochan Singh for their betrayal of the Sikh Nation and unwarranted attack on Dr. Aulakh; calling on Sikhs, Sikh leaders, and Gurdwaras to support the freedom struggle; and commending convention chairman Dr. Gulbarg Singh Basi and his wife, Rup Kaur Basi, for their hard work to make the convention successful. They decided that next year's convention will be held on Columbus Day weekend 2002 in Philadelphia. Dr. Aulakh thanked all the delegates who came to the convention. ``I am very impressed with the turnout,'' he said. ``We have many people who took time out of their busy schedules to come here. They gave this weekend to the cause of Sikh freedom,'' he said. ``Their efforts are noticed and appreciated.'' ``These are true Sikhs,'' Dr. Aulakh added. ``The Sikh leadership in Punjab would do well to emulate the people at this convention. Remember `In grieb Sikhin ko deon Patshahi' and `Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,' '' Dr. Aulakh said. ``As Professor Darshan Singh said, `If a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.' We must keep this in mind when we deal with corrupt leaders such as Badal, Tohra, Chohan, and others.'' ``This convention has been a significant step forward in the effort to reclaim the Sikh Nation's lost sovereignty,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Only then will Sikhs live in freedom, dignity, peace, and prosperity,'' he said. ``Everyone who came to this convention should be saluted for making the effort,'' he said. ``I would like to thank the Atlanta Gurdwara for their input and their hospitality. Special thanks go to Dr. and Mrs. Basi for organizing the convention.''

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was unable to be available on the House floor during the following rollcall votes. Had I been here I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall votes numbered 390-394.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I would like to present my most sincere congratulations to President Aliyev on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the restoration of Azerbaijan's independence. The past several years have proven your nation's commitment to democracy, and I encourage you to continue your efforts aimed at strengthening Azerbaijan's independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. We, in the U.S. Congress, appreciate Azerbaijan's friendship and support, especially in these times of the international campaign against terrorism. Please, accept, Mr. President, my best wishes to yourself and the Azerbaijani people on this anniversary.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on October 4 and October 5, 2001, due to a family commitment, I was unavailable for roll call votes Nos. 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, and 371. Had I been here, I would have voted ``No'', ``No'', ``No'', ``Aye'', ``Aye'', and ``Aye''.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute President Chen Shui-bian on the occasion of Taiwan's forthcoming National Day. As a birthday present to Taiwan, I believe all of us should support Taiwan's bid to re-enter the United Nations. After the admission of Tuvalu to the United Nations in 2000, the Republic of China on Taiwan is the only aspiring country that remains excluded from the United Nations. Taiwan has every right to be a member of the United Nations. Taiwan has a dynamic economy that is the envy of much of the world. Taiwan is the world's 17th largest economy and holds approximately $100 billion in foreign exchange reserves. Politically, Taiwan is one of the freest nations. It has a democratically elected head of state and holds free elections at all levels. Taiwan's citizens enjoy full human rights and press freedom. By any measurable standard, Taiwan is an economic powerhouse and a beacon of democracy. Taiwan's twenty-three million citizens need a voice in the United Nations. By excluding Taiwan, the United Nations is violating its own principle of universality. The Republic of China on Taiwan has much to contribute to the work and funding of the United Nations and other international organizations. I urge my colleagues to give their support to Taiwan's campaign to return to the United Nations and other international organizations. I also wish to add that Taiwan was shocked and devastated by the events of September 11th. Taiwan shares with us the belief that those terrorist acts are reprehensible and must be condemned. Taiwan grieves with America whose homeland was attacked by shameless terrorists. An attack on America means an attack on Taiwan; it means an attack on democracy and our way of life. Taiwan is ready to help us combat terrorism anywhere and everywhere. Happy Birthday Taiwan!

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, for quite a while, people interested in South Asian issues have had a valuable resource in the website Burning Punjab, located at http://www.burningpunjab.com. This website has reported many stories about the Indian government's tyranny against Sikhs and other minorities. Now the Indian government has banned the viewing of Burning Punjab in the northwest part of India, where Punjab, the Sikh homeland, is. Punjab, of course, declared its independence on October 7, 1987, calling itself Khalistan. The website has been blocked in Punjab and in the state of Haryana, which has a substantial Sikh population, and Delhi. Suppressing information is not the way that democratic countries do things. This ban shows that India is a deficient democracy. It has about as much freedom of the press as Communist China. Burning Punjab was founded on September 15, 1997. On March 29, 2000, the site's founder, Sukhbir Singh Osan, was reportedly threatened with murder, apparently by the Indian government. Are these the acts of a democracy? The massive human-rights violations of the Indian government have been well documented. Over 250,000 Sikhs, more than 200,000 Christians, over 75,000 Kashmiri Muslims, and tens of thousands of Dalits and other minorities have been killed by the government. It holds over 52,000 Sikhs and tens of thousands of others as political prisoners with no charges and no trial. Some have been in custody for 17 years. There have been rapes of nuns, murders of priests, the burning death of a Christian missionary, attacks on Christian prayer halls, schools, and churches, on mosques, on the Golden Temple. A group of Indian soldiers were caught trying to burn down a Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) but were stopped by villagers. Why does a country like that receive U.S. aid? Do we support them so they can suppress the information their citizens need? Do we support them so they can maintain bloody repression against the minorities within their borders? We should stop all aid to India until basic human rights like the free flow of information are allowed for all citizens. Furthermore, we should put this Congress on record in support of self- determination for the people of Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagaland, and the 14 other countries seeking their freedom from India. This should take the form of an internationally-monitored, free and fair plebiscite on the question of independence. That is the democratic way and the way of major world powers. We owe it to the principles that gave birth to America to take these measures to promote the principles of freedom in South Asia and around the world. Mr. Speaker, I would like to place the article on the banning of Burning Punjab into the Record at this time. [From Burning Punjab News, Sept. 23, 2001] Viewing Web Site ``Burning Punjab'' Banned in North India New Delhi.--The Indian Intelligence Agencies have banned the viewing of World Wide Web site `Burning Punjab' (www.burningpunjab.com). The site was not accessible in Punjab, Haryana and Delhi for the past four days. It is reliably learnt that the Research Analysis Wing (RAW) of the Indian Hindu Regime ordered ban. The `Burning Punjab' has now decided to change its IP identity and servers. Here it is pertinent to mention that web site `Burning Punjab' was launched on September 15, 1997 by a Chandigarh based journalist and lawyer, Sukhbir Singh Osan. The staff and manager of the site were threatened number of time by the Indian Police. On 29 March 2000, France based organization Reporters sans Frontier's (RSF) also objected to various restrictions imposed by the Indian Government on the staff and manager of the web site `Burning Punjab' RSF General Secretary Robert Menard issued a letter to the Indian authorities opposing unwarranted `censorship'. It's worth mentioning that `Burning Punjab'-- www.burningpunjab.com is an endeavor of IHRF. International Human Rights Forum (IHRF) is engaged in propagating the cause of Human Rights worldwide. Organization is taking special care for the welfare of state victims and is lending a helping hand to hapless and helpless to mitigate their sufferings. The activities of the IHRF have been appreciated by one and all irrespective of politico-religious affiliations. During the cult of violence in Punjab, Kashmir, Delhi, Assam, Bengal and elsewhere, the IHRF played a significant role in exposing inhuman & barbaric treatment and excesses committed by the State against the innocent & law abiding citizens. About web site Burning Punjab: Burning Punjab is Punjab's first ever media site on Sikh Holocaust. It deals with the situation in East Punjab. Site contains news & views, political scenario, human rights values and holocaust of Sikhs. Sukhbir Singh Osan has created site. S.S.Osan is a Law Graduate from Punjab University, Chandigarh. He is a prolific writer and a born journalist. The International Human Rights Forum is operating this site.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I spoke previously about the violence against Sikh Americans in the wake of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I have said previously that these attacks must stop. Now efforts are underway to expose them through the media and to collect information to catalogue these incidents. I applaud those efforts. Last weekend, a Sikh gasoline station owner in Mesa, Arizona, Balbir Singh Sodhi was shot to death at his gas station by someone, who apparently thought the gas station owner was a supporter of Osama bin Laden because of his turban and beard. It should be noted that 99.9 percent of the people who wear turbans and beards in this country are Sikhs. Mr. Speaker, this kind of crime must be condemned. The Sodhi killing was just one of over one hundred incidents of harassment or violence against Sikhs. All of these crimes are catalogued on the internet at http://www.sikh.org/hatecrime for the information of the public. This past Tuesday, September 18, the Council of Khalistan held a press conference to expose the violence against Sikh Americans. They called for an investigation by Attorney General Ashcroft. One of the Sikhs, who created the website I mentioned above, Amardeep Singh Bhalla, was there to announce it. The news conference was attended by reporters from IBN Radio, News Channel 8, and a Chicago TV station, WMAQ. News Channel 8 broadcast it in the evening of the 18th and IBN Radio broadcast it on the 19th. The Council of Khalistan has put out a press release about the press conference. I would like to place this in the Record at this time for the information of my colleagues. Dr. Aulakh, Sikh Leaders Condemn Murders of Sikhs and Others Sikhs Are Not Moslems--Ask Attorney General to Investigate Washington, D.C., Sept. 18, 2001.--Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, today condemned the murders of Sikhs and other Americans in the wake of the World Trade Center attack. Dr. Aulakh an other Sikh leaders spoke at the National Press Club. The press conference was attended by reporters from NewsChannel 8, NBC, the Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun, India Globe, and others. ``I call on Attorney General John Ashcroft to look into this nationwide pattern of violence and I urge the victims these attacks to call their police departments and their local prosecutors,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``This is the best way I ensure that those who perpetrate this violence are appropriately punished.'' ``I condemn the violence against Muslim Americans and I condemn the attacks on Sikh Americans,'' Dr. Aulakh said. There have been over 100 acts of harassment or violence against Sikhs. Since the World Trade Center and Pentagon bombings on Tuesday, there has been a wave of violent incidents aimed at Sikhs and other individuals. Over the weekend, a Sikh gasoline station owner was murdered at his business in Mesa, Arizona. The Granthi of the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Fairfax, Virginia was attacked while walking with his wife. Attackers threw a brick through the window of a local Sikh, Ranjit Singh of Fairfax, Virginia. They were in attendance at the press conference. Another local Sikh, Sher Singh, was arrested by police in Rhode Island after the attack, but was released the next day. A couple of young Sikhs were attacked in Brooklyn, New York. Sikh businesses have been stoned and cars have been burned. An Egyptian Christian man was shot in San Gabriel, California. A Pakistani Muslim who owned a grocery store was shot in Dallas. ``Sikh Americans, Muslim Americans, Christian Americans, our neighbors and countrymen, are being harassed and acts of violence are being committed against them merely because of their religious or ethnic heritage,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``All Americans should join together to condemn these cowardly acts.'' ``What a group of terrorists did Tuesday was a terrible crime and an act of war against America, but it was done by group of individuals who are no more typical of their religion than Timothy McVeigh is typical of Christianity,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Members of minority religious communities are being targeted for violence, and this is unacceptable especially in America.'' ``Sikhism is an independent, divinely revealed, monotheistic religion with our own symbols and has no relation to other religions like Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, or Christianity, but we respect all religions'' Dr. Aulakh said. He noted that Sikhism has its own symbols. ``Among those symbols are a turban and beard. That does not make us supporters or associates of Osama bin Laden, yet we are being targeted for violence in the wake of the atrocities last Tuesday.'' I said. Two young Sikh activists announced the creation of a website for information about hate crimes against Sikhs. It can be found at http://www.sikh.org/hatecrime. They noted that ``99.9 percent'' of the people who wear turbans in America, are Sikhs. ``Let's not let America descend to the level of those who attacked it,'' Dr. Aulakh said.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today in full support of H.R. 1583, a bill designating the Federal building and United States courthouse located at 121 West Spring Street in New Albany, Indiana as the ``Lee H. Hamilton Federal Building and United States Courthouse.'' Lee Hamilton is a proud ``Hoosier'' through and through, and to this day he continues to work for the people of Indiana. Lee was the star of his basketball teams in high school and college, and earned induction into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. Lee attended Evansville Central High School, where he excelled both in the classroom and on the basketball court. As a senior, he led his team to the final game of the Indiana state basketball tournament, and received the prestigious Trester award for scholarship and athletics. After graduation, Lee attended Depauw University where he studied history. Lee graduated with honors in 1952 and was awarded the Walker Cup, given to the most outstanding member of the senior class. He went on to study for a year in post-war Germany at Goethe University before returning to law school at Indiana University, from which he graduated in 1956. While representing Indiana's 9th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Lee Hamilton earned a reputation as a leader in international affairs, serving as Chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, the House Intelligence Committee, and the Iran- Contra Investigation Committee. During his tenure in Congress, Lee Hamilton established a broad record of expertise and influence in foreign affairs. He focused substantial attention on promoting democracy and market reforms in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe; advancing peace and stability in the Middle East; expanding U.S. markets overseas; and overhauling U.S. foreign aid. In addition to his impressive record on foreign affairs, Congressman Hamilton also played an important role in reforming the institution of Congress itself. He co-chaired the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress where he worked to develop ideas like the gift-ban tightening lobbying restrictions, and applying workplace laws to the United States Congress. In 1999, after serving in the House of Representatives for 34 years, Lee Hamilton assumed the positions of Director of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and the Director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. The non-partisan Center on Congress at Indiana University aims to educate citizens about the operations and importance of the U.S. Congress, and it includes a special outreach program to the people of Indiana. I join my colleagues in honoring Lee by designating the New Albany Federal building and courthouse as the Lee H. Hamilton Federal Building and United States Courthouse, and I wish him well in his current endeavors.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, a despicable terrorist attack was carried out on the United States of America. I am pleased to see how all of us, Republican and Democrat, liberal and conservative, are pulling together in support of our nation. That is inspiring and it shows the greatness of America. At the same time, it is very unfortunate that some Americans have been made targets of violence simply because of the way they look and the way they dress. That is unacceptable. Despite the anger that we all share against those responsible for the terrorists attacks, we must not sink to their level and become a people who extract revenge indiscriminately. It appears that there have been several attacks on Sikhs, largely in the New York area but elsewhere as well, including a beating of an elderly Sikh man with baseball bats. Apparently, some Sikhs are being singled out for attacks because their turbans and beards remind people of the terrorist chief Osama bin Laden. Other Sikhs are being mistaken for Muslims. Attacking innocent American Muslims is wrong, and we should stand together in condemning attacks on them. However, it must be emphasized that Sikhs are not Muslims. Sikhism must not be mistaken for Islam, Hinduism, or any other religion. Every Sikh is required to wear a turban; it is part of the religion. Very few Muslims wear turbans. Osama bin Laden is one of the few Muslims who does. The style in which a turban is worn by a Sikh is quite different from the style that is worn by some Muslims. In addition, Sikhs can be identified by the kirpans (small ceremonial swords) that they carry and the bracelets they wear. These are two of the five things that identify a practicing Sikh. Tragically, some people, who are ignorant of Islam and Sikhism, have targeted innocent Sikh-Americans for violence. It must be made clear that Sikhs do not hold any ill will toward America. Sikhs from around the world have always looked toward the United States as a beacon of freedom to be emulated, not a nation to be destroyed. Mr. Speaker, attacks against Sikhs must stop. I am calling for an end to this violence against Sikh Americans and anyone else of any faith who was not involved in the terrorist attack on our country. I call on our nation's leaders to speak our forcefully against these attacks. I also believe that it is the responsibility of the media to expose these attacks and denounce them. All Americans are justified in being very angry about what happened on September 11, but that does not justify acts of violence against innocent Americans.

Mr. BURTON of Indiana

Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the nation witnessed an evil, unspeakable act by an evil, despicable, and cowardly enemy. The terrorists who perpetrated these atrocities upon the United States, killing perhaps thousands of innocent people, shall have no place to hide. I am confident that this Congress will support whatever action the President and his national-security team deem necessary to allow our military and law-enforcement officials to bring these terrorists to justice. By now, we are all aware of the scope of this national tragedy. In light of this, we have pulled together as a country, demonstrating our resolve to the world that such actions against this nation will not stand. The people of Indiana have joined their fellow Americans, and indeed men and women of goodwill from around the world, to pray for peace, calm, and justice. Our hearts go out to the victims, their friends, and their families.''