Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great guitarist and an exceptional musician Mr. Larry Carlton. Larry Carlton's own musical story began in southern California. He picked up his first guitar at the age of six. He was introduced to jazz in junior high school. Saxophonist John Coltrane was a major influence on Carlton, beginning with Coltrane's 1962 classic ``Ballads.'' Larry Carlton recorded his first album in 1968, ``With a Little Help From my Friends.'' The enthusiastic industry response garnered him a place among jingle singers. He also recorded on camera and recorded radio commercials for Ford. Mid-season in his second year; he segued to musical director for ``Mrs. Alphabet,'' an Emmy-nominated children's show. It was here Carlton showcased his acting skills, performing as the show's co-star, ``Larry Guitar.'' Larry Carlton performed with the world renowned Crusaders on 12 of their albums, often contributing material. He released his second solo project in 1973 on Blue Thumb Records. Larry Carlton's demand as a session player was now at its zenith, he was constantly featured with stars from every imaginable genre. Among them: Sammy Davis, Jr.; Herb Alpert; Quincy Jones; Paul Anka; Michael Jackson; John Lennon; Jerry Garcia; and Dolly Parton. Larry Carlton was approached by the newly formed MCA Master Series label in 1985 for consideration of recording an acoustic jazz album. His first release for the new label was ``Alone.'' The 12 months of 1987 brought some of the biggest highlights in his solo career. However, while working on his next album for MCA, Carlton was a victim of random gun violence and was shot in the throat by gun-wielding juveniles outside his private studio near Burbank, California. The bullet shattered his vocal cords and caused significant nerve trauma, but through intensive therapy and a positive frame of mind, he completed his work on his ``On Solid Ground'' album in 1989. Madam Speaker, through all of this adversity, Larry Carlton continues to grace us with his gift of music. I would like to recognize him for his accomplishments and achievements which are far too numerous to mention today. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderfully gifted musician.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kevin C. Bryant, detective first grade of the New York City Police Department. Mr. Bryant was born and raised in Brooklyn and attended public school through 12th grade. In 1985, at Queens College, Mr. Bryant was sworn in as a probationary police officer for the NYPD. Mr. Bryant successfully graduated from the police academy and was eventually assigned to his permanent command in the 81st precinct of Brooklyn's North neighborhood. Because of his honorable work on the police force, Mr. Bryant was offered invitations to join the Narcotics Division several times, an invitation he finally accepted in 1987. Mr. Bryant was assigned to a special anti-crack unit in Queens where he was an instrumental component in hundreds of undercover buy-and-bust operations throughout the city. He made such a significant impact that he was promoted to detective third grade in 1989. Mr. Bryant was selected to initiate a federally funded program aimed at disrupting drug gangs called the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force in 1991, after continuing to make positive contributions in his community. His HIDTA program was so effective that it became the rubric for developing HIDTA programs across the country. Mr. Bryant continued to prove his dedication to crime-fighting during his work with the HIDTA, which resulted in his promotion to detective second grade. Mr. Bryant accepted an invitation to join the Intelligence Division in 1998. There he performed tasks ranging from investigating organized street gangs, to post-9/11 terrorism investigations. He was promoted to detective first grade in 2007. Mr. Bryant retired from the NYPD on his 44th birthday in April of 2007. He now spends more time with his family, his wife of 16 years Choddie Bryant and his three children, Porsha, Kai and Khail. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the accomplishments of Kevin C. Bryant, as his selfless and unwavering dedication to the betterment of New York City has forever benefited the lives of its residents. Madam Speaker, Kevin C. Bryant's service has continuously demonstrated a level of altruistic dedication that makes him most worthy of our recognition today.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Reverend Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr. Reverend Griffin is a native of Elizabeth City North Carolina. An honor graduate of Northeastern High School, Reverend Griffin earned a bachelor of arts degree in Zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later earned a master's of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reverend Griffin has also studied at East Carolina University, New York University, the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health in New York City, and abroad at Oxford University in England. He graduated from Boston University with a doctorate of Ministry. In April, 1992, Shaw Divinity School awarded him an honorary doctorate of Divinity. Reverend Griffin served as pastor of Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church in Greenville, North Carolina for nearly 10 years. During his tenure, the church experienced unprecedented growth and many new ministries were established, including the Cornerstone Christian Child Care Center. The church later relocated, and in 1996, a new $1 million facility was built. Reverend Griffin served in several positions of leadership in both community and religious organizations in North Carolina. Among them: president of the Pitt County Black Ministerial Alliance; moderator and vice-moderator of the Old Eastern Missionary Baptist Association; parliamentarian of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina; trustee of Pitt County Memorial Hospital; and campus minister at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Reverend Griffin became the senior pastor of Brooklyn's Berean Baptist Church in 1989. Under his leadership, the Community Service Center has been revitalized, now offering a full range of social services including emergency food distribution, meals to the homeless and needy, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous groups, employment counseling, training programs and senior citizens' programs. In 1996, the church completed Berean Gardens, a $7 million senior citizens' housing complex. More recently, the church broke ground on a community and family life center, a 4-story building which includes a primary healthcare center, a full scale gymnasium and a fitness and wellness center. Reverend Griffin has done missionary work in Senegal, Gambia, West Africa and South Africa and was a delegate to the First African and African-American Summit at the Ivory Coast in 1991. He was selected to be an official international election observer in the first free South African election in April of 1994. Dr. Griffin has also been an associate professor of church administration at the New York Theological Seminary. Reverend Griffin is married to Mrs. Angela Farr Griffin of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. They have two daughters: Angel Arlecia and Ariel Arlyce. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Reverend Dr. Arlee Griffin, Jr. for his many works and his tremendous contribution to his congregants and the community. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful man and his tireless commitment to others.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Harlon Brandon. Harlon is an award winning footwear designer with a penchant for giving back to his community. He is a native New Yorker, who attended New York's School of Visual Arts earning a Fine Arts degree. Upon graduation in the early 80s, he decided to pursue a career in advertising. Harlon Brandon began his career as an Art Director with Foote, Cone & Belding, focusing on fashion and beauty accounts. He continued his advertising career at Lockhart & Pettus, as an Executive Director and Art Director. While at Lockhart & Pettus he received the CEBA award for ``Advertising and Communications to the African-American Community.'' Harlon Brandon later took a shoe design course. He was encouraged by his professor to enter a footwear design competition where he took home the top prize for Women's Shoe Design. Following that, he spent years designing shoes throughout the world for well-known designers Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Dior and Puma. After many years of designing for others he stepped out on his own and launched his footwear line, Harlon Brandon Footwear. Harlon Brandon received the ``Innovator Award'' by the Black Retailers Action Group in 2004. He was featured on CBS News in a segment about small business success stories and more recently, he was nominated for the Black Enterprise ``Emerging Company of the Year Award''. Harlon Brandon is not only recognized for his achievements in design, but for his enumerable contributions to the youth in his community. He was featured on WPIX-TV for his tireless community work and his unwavering commitment to mentoring urban high school students. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. Harlon Brandon is a shining example of where hard work and perseverance can lead. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a man who encourages our youth in putting their best foot forward.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Keith ``Suede'' DosReis, Jr. Keith grew up in Brownsville, Brooklyn, and has always had the ability to hold an audience captive. He began a career in entertainment at the age of 5. He attended State University of New York at Albany where he pledged Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Keith DosReis, Jr., has appeared in 16 commercials, two of them with legendary actor and comedian William ``Bill'' Cosby. Though making the commercials was fun, Keith's passion lies in hosting live events. Among his most popular was the national collegiate step show tournament, ``StepCorrect.'' Keith DosReis has become a sought after personality to host events throughout the New York Tri-State area as well as colleges nationwide. His hosting of national events has led to his latest endeavor of managing artists which is a natural outgrowth of his entrepreneurial and managerial experience that were derived from his days with HBO Sports. Keith DosReis is now the Program Coordinator for the Forster Laurie Police Athletic League Center in Queens, NY. This gives Keith an opportunity to provide new programs for our youth while at the same time bestowing upon them his knowledge of the entertainment industry. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Keith DosReis for his accomplishments and achievements. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this artful entertainer.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an exceptional musician, Mr. Bob James. The career of Bob James is long, varied, and continues to evolve at every turn. From his first piano recital in Marshall, MO to the formation of his own trio while attending the University of Michigan to the gigs in New York City and beyond, the music of Bob James has captivated audiences throughout the world. Bob James recorded his first solo album ``Bold Conceptions'' not long after he was discovered by Quincy Jones at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival in 1963. Another 25 solo albums would follow within a span of four decades. However, that does not include his Grammy Award-winning collaboration projects. However, it was not until Bob James met up with Creed Taylor in New York that his composing, arranging and recording career took off. After working with such CTI Recording artists as Hank Crawford and Grover Washington, Jr., James finally recorded his own album, ``One.'' This introduced his music to a much larger audience and launched a lifelong career of recording and performing live. Bob James moved to Warner Brothers Records in 1985, beginning an association with another million seller and Grammy Award-winning album ``Double Vision.'' This album was a collaboration with David Sanborn. In 1990, while recording the ``Grand Piano Canyon'' album, Bob James reunited with his old friend, drummer Harvey Mason and worked for the first time with Lee Ritenour on guitar and Nathan East on bass. The recording sessions for this project were the genesis of the group ``Fourplay.'' Their first album was recorded and released in 1991. Bob James experienced a personal and professional career highlight when he collaborated with his daughter Hilary on the ``Flesh & Blood'' album. The music for the project was jointly written by the two of them. They later toured 15 U.S. cities in acoustic vocal and piano duet performances. Madam Speaker, I cannot say enough about Mr. Bob James. He has been considerate in sharing his gifts with the rest of the world. I would like to recognize all of his accomplishments and achievements which are far too numerous to list today. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderfully gifted musician.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor to the work of Everette Hughes as an educator in the New York City Public Schools. Everette migrated to Brooklyn in 1968. He received an academic scholarship to Pace University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. He continued his studies at Long Island University and Brooklyn College where he earned a Masters in Sociology, a Masters in Special Education, and a Masters in Administration and Supervision. Everette Hughes has been an educator in the New York City Public School system for 29 years. He is currently a Calm Fellow at Teachers College, Columbia University where he is pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Everette Hughes began his career teaching and later served in a variety or roles in both teaching and administration that led to his current position of Principal at Intermediate School 292 in East New York. Under his sound leadership and guidance, the school has become increasingly known for its academic excellence, complemented by a strong performing arts program. Mr. Hughes also works closely with community-based organizations to raise the consciousness of the students with whose care he is entrusted daily. Everette Hughes has currently undertaken a project which focuses on building a charitable foundation to help underprivileged children in Africa. During his annual winter breaks, he and several other educators journey to countries like Nigeria, Senegal and Gambia where they attempt to uplift the quality of life for the residents through education. He has visited schools and paid tuition for more than 200 students allowing them an opportunity to successfully complete their secondary education. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Everette Hughes for his continuing dedication to the world's children as well as those children in our community. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Everette Hughes.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Earnest Flowers, a career Financial Advisor who has worked for security houses and alongside investment banks since 1994. Mr. Flowers joined Whales Securities after two years of training. There he became a vice-president of private client services and a top producer. While at Whale, he participated in finding various Initial Public Offerings (IPO's) including the World Heart Corporation, and Take-Two Interactive Software Incorporated. Mr. Flowers was recruited in 2000 by his former manager to join Ladenburg, Thalmann & Company, Incorporated, the second oldest firm on Wall Street. In 2002, Mr. Flowers went independent and has since provided wealth management through firms such as the Concord Equity Group, the Investors Capital Corporation and most recently, Aura Financial Services. Mr. Flower's independence has allowed him to raise capital and work on alternative projects. Current projects range from economic and social development in Africa to the financing of media companies. Among them: Vardo Entertainment; Mindtree; Urbintel; and VuVango Media. Mr. Flowers has financed the public works of Clarence B. Jones, worked as a former draft speech writer and counsel to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and assisted with future film projects like Pilgrims Progress, Clara Ward, the Shea Foundation, and a gospel reality pilot for Black Entertainment Television. Mr. Flowers is a member of various boards in the religious, political and business communities. Among them are: the Insight Broadcasting Corporation; the Atlantic Union of SDA Executive Committee; the Atlantic Union Adventist Media/3 ABN; Northeastern Academy Alumni; Northeastern Conference Youth Advisory Committee; Elmer H. Blackburn Regular Democratic Club; Harlem Advent Care Center; Daly Day Academy; and the Northeastern Conference Junior Basketball League. Mr. Flowers holds a Bachelor's of Science Degree from Oakwood College and is currently in the last semester of the St. Johns' University MBA Program. Mr. Flowers is an ordained Elder at City Tabernacle SDA Church and a former Associate Coordinator and current Master Guide in the Bronx/Manhattan Pathfinder Association. He is married to Dr. Alicia Massop-Flowers. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the distinguished accomplishments and achievements of Mr. Flowers. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this extraordinary gentleman.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor New York City Police Officer Marcus Johnson. Marcus was born in Tuskegee, Alabama but raised in Brooklyn, Crown Heights. He attended Washington Irving High School in Manhattan and later graduated from Deborah Cannon Wolfe High School in Shorter, Alabama. Marcus Johnson returned to New York City after his high school graduation and worked for the corporate law firm of Davis, Polk, and Wardwell. There, he was the supervisor in the mail division overseeing the office's incoming and outgoing Federal Express, DHL, Airborne Express, as well as interoffice courier services. Marcus Johnson later enrolled in the Borough of Manhattan Community College, immediately following that enrollment, he was accepted into the New York City Police Academy. Upon his graduation from the academy, he was assigned to the 75th Precinct where he initially worked as a patrol officer. He became known for his southern hospitality, speaking and waving as he patrolled the community. Marcus Johnson's work in his precinct did not stop there. He also worked as an evidence control specialist/property officer, highway safety officer, burglary apprehension team officer, crime prevention officer and he now holds the position of community affairs officer. Marcus Johnson is a member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, NOBLE. He holds the office of co-Chair of the Dinner Scholarship and Dance Committee. He is married to Ayicha Johnson and they have three children, Mikhyle, Marque, and Myles. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Officer Marcus Johnson of the New York City Police Department for his work in keeping our community safe. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a kind man who takes pride in the work he does for our city.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brooklyn resident William Howard. Mr. Howard was born in Sumter, South Carolina. He is the second eldest of four boys. Mr. Howard attended Lincoln High School in South Carolina. Following his graduation from high school, he answered a call to service; honorably serving in the United States Air Force for four-and-a-half years reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. Howard later attended Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee. After leaving college, he returned to New York accepting a civil service job with the New York City Transit Authority where he worked for 28 years, finally retiring as a Superintendent of Administration. Mr. Howard is a member of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Sumter, and often attends St. Anthony Baptist Church in Brooklyn. He is active in the community serving as Chair of the fund raising committee of the Unity Democratic Club he is also active in the Club's Men's Council. Mr. Howard serves as a member of the NAACP, and is a 33rd Degree Mason in Tyree Grand Lodge. He is the Commander of the George P. Davis American Legion Post 116 in Brooklyn, New York. He is on the Board of Officers for the National New York Transit Retirees, and is the founder and president of the Flatbush Depot Alumni Society. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Mr. William Howard's life of honor and service to the community. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this great citizen as well as his contribution to New York City and our great Nation.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a woman celebrating a milestone so few are able to attain, her One Hundredth Birthday. Ms. Rosa Gibbs was born June 21, 1907, in Georgetown, South Carolina. She is the daughter of Shedwick and Anne Jenkins Gibbs. Ms. Rosa Gibbs graduated from Howard High School in South Carolina in 1925. After graduation, she moved to New York City where she lived for over five decades. For the past twenty years she has resided in Florida, though at heart I know she will always be a New Yorker. Ms. Gibbs is a testament to aging beautifully. She regularly attends church, and is of both sound mind and body. Ms. Gibbs will be celebrating her birthday with her friends and loved ones on June 23, 2007 at the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Ms. Gibbs' life and honor her birth. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the One Hundredth Birthday of Ms. Rosa Gibbs.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Thank you very much for yielding time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 964, the SPY Act, which would greatly improve the privacy of consumers' online computer use. The time has come for this bill to pass. A lot of hard work has been put into this legislation. First and foremost, I would like to commend Congresswoman Mary Bono, the Republican sponsor of the bill. Of course, without her hard work, insight and persistence on this issue, we would not be where we are today. I have been proud to work with her on this bill, and I salute her for all of her efforts. Of course, we have been down this road a few times now with several hearings; and, of course, we passed it before. But this time I think that people realize how important this legislation is, and I do feel that it should go all the way. I also want to commend Chairman Dingell and Ranking Member Barton for their strong commitment to this issue and leadership in getting our bill to the floor. I would like to thank my very good friend, the subcommittee chairman, Chairman Rush of Chicago, Illinois, Ranking Member Stearns, who has been a friend for many, many years as well, for their hard work on this legislation. They have stayed with it and gone through the process over and over again because they recognize how important this legislation is to our country. Finally, I would like to acknowledge all of the staff for their hard work, especially Consuela Washington and David Cavicke for their hard work and, of course, their suggestions and ideas and recommendations. I would like to just take this opportunity to thank them. There is no question that spyware is a serious problem. Spyware software, which is downloaded without a computer owner's knowledge, invades one's privacy by recording and transmitting personal information, monitoring the Web site someone visits, or even stealing documents from an individual's computer. Other programs hijack a computer by changing home pages or forcing a person to click through multiple screens until a spyware program is downloaded. In fact, problems related to spyware have become so widespread that I cannot run into someone who hasn't been negatively affected by it. This is a big change from when we first began this effort a few years ago. There were only a few people complaining, but now we have a lot of people complaining. Now we know the seriousness of the problem and that we need Federal legislation to safeguard privacy, as well as to ensure the long-term integrity of e-commerce. Today's legislation provides consumers with new tools to protect themselves from unwanted, harmful software. Under the bill, consumers would have to receive a clear and concise warning about the spyware program. Second, consumers would have to provide their affirmative consent before the program could operate on their computer. Finally, Mr. Speaker, consumers must have the option to easily disable any harmful spyware programs to their computer. While some consumers may want to share their information to receive free games other discount offers, all consumers have the right to make that choice. Finally, Mr. Speaker, and this time I really mean finally, any time we legislate on highly technical matters there is always a danger of stifling innovation and making the use of legitimate software too burdensome. It is a very difficult tightrope to walk. But I think we have done an excellent job in walking that tightrope. This bill addresses many of the concerns raised, while at the same time retaining a meaningful notice and consent regime to protect consumer privacy. Through much hard work, we have carefully crafted a strong bipartisan consumer protection bill, and I would urge my colleagues to support this. This is a quality piece of legislation, and I hope that we are able to move it through both Houses very quickly and that the President would sign it into law.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Brooklyn resident Reverend Dr. Clarence Keaton. Reverend Dr. Keaton was born to parents Clarence Keaton Sr. and Mary F. Keaton. Dr. Keaton is the forth of seven children. Reverend Dr. Keaton, affectionately known as Pastor of Pastors (POP) by his congregants and ``Pastor Teacher'' by his peers, has marked himself as a leader of change both in the clergy and throughout his community. The Reverend Dr. Kenton's path to the church was nearly derailed when during his youth, he became a gang leader. It was during that time Reverend Dr. Keaton received his divine calling going from leading gangs in the street to leading gangs to the church. Reverend Dr. Keaton joined the ministry of Free Mission Apostolic Church under the tutelage of Pester Walter L. Dunlap. It was here Reverend Dr. Keaton taught for nearly a decade as a biblical instructor. In 1983, Reverend Dr. Keaton was ordained and blessed to establish the True Worship Church, and in 1985. Reverend Dr. Keaton's ministry grew at such a rapid pace that by September 21, 2001 he managed to build a new Cathedral on the property. Reverend Dr. Keaton brings his divine wisdom to the community in a way which fosters growth and brotherhood. He is a leader who recognizes the plight of troubled youth and offers mentoring, guidance, and an outlet in prayer. His ministry truly meets the need of the people offering Computer Literacy classes, Deaf Ministry, Day Care Services, a Church news letter entitled, ``The Voice of worship'', and a Web site which keeps both the members and the community abroad informed of upcoming events and services. Reverend Dr. Keaton has been recognized for his great contributions to the community, in an honorary doctorate of Divinity degree from Jesus Saves Bible Institute; citations for outstanding community service from former Councilwoman Pricilla Woolen, former Brooklyn borough president Howard Golden and current Borough president Marty Markowitz. Among his greatest honors are his wife Eartha Keaton, his four loving children; Tersha, Shawn, Tiffany, and Clearance III and amazing grandson, Kamari. Reverend Dr. Clarence Keaton continues to serve as pastor and overseer of True Worship Church as the Presiding Bishop and founder of the True Worship Church Worldwide Ministries. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Reverend Dr. Keaton's tremendous contribution to his congregants and the community. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful man and his tireless contribution which is a testament to the American spirit.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Oswald ``Ozzie'' Torres who is being honored at the International Association of Lions Club District 20-K1 Governor's Testimonial Dinner. Mr. Torres, a native of Brooklyn, NY, is a successful Certified Public Accountant who credits his achievements to his caring parents Osvaldo and Lydia Torres. Mr. Torres decided to follow in his father's footsteps and establish a career in accounting. Together they are the driving force of the firm Torres and Associates. Mr. Torres has been a member in good standing of the Brooklyn Caribe Lions' Club since 1995 and has received numerous recognition awards from Lions Club International. Among those honors include; the Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship and the Robert J. Uplinger award from District 20-K1. Mr. Torres has been a presenter at many orientation sessions and workshops speaking in both English and Spanish. He has served District 20-K1 as Chairman of International Understanding and Cooperation, Leadership, Membership; Business Manager of the Kings and Queens Publication; Zone and Region Chairman; Cabinet Secretary and Treasurer; Vice-District Governor; and currently District Governor. Mr. Torres has served the communities of both Brooklyn and Queens and has previously been named ``Business Person of the Year.'' He is a member and Executive Board Officer of the Boricua Festival of New York and is an Executive Member of the Woodhull Hospital Auxiliary Board. Mr. Torres is married to Melissa Torres and has two sons Michael and Brandon. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize this pillar of our community for all of his contributions. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Oswald ``Ozzie'' Torres.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker. I rise today to join the Jewish people in Jerusalem and throughout the world in celebration of Yom Yerushalyim, Jerusalem Day. On June 7, 1967, the 28th of Iyar 5727, the Israel Defense Forces in the heat of the Six-Day War unified the city of Jerusalem under Jewish control. At approximately 10 a.m. on that day, the earth shattering proclamation ``The Temple Mount is ours. It is in our hands'' reverberated in the hearts of Jews across the globe. The dream of once again being able to visit the Kotel, the Western Wall, and other previously inaccessible holy sites of Jerusalem, had become a reality. In the subsequent years to follow, Jewish people from every nation on earth would make pilgrimages to the holy city of Jerusalem to visit its revered sites and offer their heartfelt prayers. Every stone in Jerusalem is saturated with Jewish history, every street contains a story and saga from biblical times, as well as modern times. Even though Jerusalem is a city laden with rich archeological artifacts, and remnants of ancient times, it has become a thriving city that has preserved its historic nature and adapted to modern life. Beautiful shopping malls, fresh food markets and restaurants are commonplace in Jerusalem, which emphasizes the enormous cultural advancements that the modern State of Israel has made in its short existence. Perhaps one of the most moving aspects of modern day Jerusalem is its abundance of Yeshivas, Kollels and the prominence of Jewish religious life. It is truly inspiring to see Jews, young and old immersed in the deep study of Jewish texts. Many Hasidic sects and other Orthodox institutions based in my district have satellite branches in Jerusalem and quite a few of my young constituents study Judaism in Jerusalem and return to the United States invigorated from their experiences. Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize this very jubilant day and reaffirm my unflinching support for the city of Jerusalem and the State of Israel.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, recently it has been discovered that the Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, went and met with a Punjabi cult leader named Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who claimed to be a baba and was recently in the news for dressing up as the last Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, and offering Amrit to anyone who called. Amrit is a very sacred ceremony in the Sikh religion and it cannot be done by just anyone. Ram Rahim also has murder and rape charges pending against him. Yet Mr. Badal went to him and bowed, seeking votes. Ironically, Ram Rahim came out for Mr. Badal's political opponents, the Congress Party. As Chief Minister, one of Mr. Badal's chief responsibilities is maintaining law and order. Yet he seeks support from this fake religious leader instead of prosecuting him for the damage he has done to the Sikh community and to Punjab. Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, has issued a press release condenming Badal's activities. It shows that chief Minister is allied with the Indian government against the Sikh people. Remember that when Badal was chief Minister before, he presided over the most corrupt government in Punjab's history. They even renamed bribery ``fee for service.'' His wife could tell the amount of money in a bag just by picking it up. Only by freeing themselves of Indian rule will the Sikhs be able to rid themselves of this kind of anti-Sikh leadership. The U.S. government can help by stopping aid and trade with India until criminals such as Ram Rahim are prosecuted and all human rights are observed and by putting ourselves on record publicly in support of self-determination for the Sikhs of Punjab, Khalistan, the Muslims of Kashmir, the Christians of Nagalim, and all the people seeking freedom in South Asia in the form of a free and fair vote. Isn't that the democratic way? The people of Kashmir were promised a vote on their status in 1948. They're still waiting.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, recently a Canadian writer and editor named Dr. Awatar Singh Sekhon, Managing Editor of the International Journal of Sikh Affairs, wrote a detailed response to an article about the 1985 Air India bombings. As you know, those bombings continue to be controversial more than 20 years later and the Canadian government is launching yet another inquiry into the matter. Dr. Sekhon's quite comprehensive letter, which was written in response to an Edmonton Sun article, is very detailed. It makes a very strong argument and brings up a lot of very important information on the case. Before I put it into the Record, I will attempt to summarize the highlights. Dr. Sekhon points out that Indian diplomat Mani Shankar says that in 1984, the year before the bombing, the Indira Gandhi government in India commissioned him ``to portray Sikhs as terrorists.'' This directive occurred before Operation Bluestar, the June 1984 attack on the golden Temple in amritsar (the seat of Sikhism) and several other Sikh Gurdwaras around Punjab, in which 20,000 Sikhs, including over 100 Sikh youth ages 8 to 13, were killed and the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, was desecrated by being shot with Indian Army bullets. The orders for that operation were given in January 1984, according to the Sikh Bulletin, October-November 1985. The Air India operation was part of that campaign. In addition, the newspaper Hitavada reported that the Indian government paid the late governor of Punajb, Surendra Nath, the equivalent of $1.5 billion to foment terrorist activity in Punjab and Kashmir. Dr. Sekhon refers to the first hijacking of an Air India plane by two Brahmin brothers named Pandey to secure Indira Gandhi's release from jail. He notes the penetration of Canada by Indian intelligence in the 1980s. The letter cites both Zuhajr Kashmeri and Brian McAndrew's excellent book Soft Target and former Canadian Member of Parliament David Kilgour's book Betrayal: The Spy That Canada Forgot. Both show India's responsibility for the bombing. Kashmeri and McAndrew cite the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), which said, ``if you really want to clear the incidents quickly, take vans to the Indian High Commission and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, load up everybody and take them down for questioning. We know it and they know it that they are involved.'' Kilgour writes that a Canadian-Polish double agent was approached by an East German named Udo Ulbrecht, who was working with people affiliated with the Indian government, to participate in a second bombing, but he declined to be part of it and the plot never came off. Dr. Sekhon rightly asks why neither Kashmeri, McAndrew, nor Kilgour has been asked to testify in the current inquiry. He also requests that the Indian diplomatic and intelligence personnel who were declared persona non grata in Canada in the wake of the Air India bombing be summoned back to testify before the inquiry. He notes the mass killings of Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Assamese, Tamils, and other non-Brahmin minorities by the Indian government Their effort to portray the Sikhs, especially those who speak out peacefully and democratically for an independent Khalistan, as terrorists is a pretext for this ``ethnic cleansing.'' He quotes my colleague, the gentleman from California, who said in this chamber that for Sikhs and Kashmiris, ``India might as well be Nazi Germany.'' The late General Narinder Singh said that Punjab was a police state. This has been an extension of the India government's strategy that was outlined in a memo in 1947 in which India's first Home Minister V.B. Patel described the Sikhs as ``a lawless people'' and ``a criminal tribe.'' In other words, the Indian government was trying to discredit and destroy the Sikhs almost from the moment of independence. Madam Speaker, the time has come to stop our aid and trade with this repressive regime and to demand self-determination for the Sikhs of Punjab, Khalistan, the Muslims of Kashmir, the Christians of Nagalim, and all the people seeking freedom in South Asia. The essence of democracy is the right to self-determination, not an ongoing half- century effort to kill your minority citizens. I would like to place Dr. Sekhon's letter into the Record at this time for the information of my colleagues. The Sikh Educational Trust, International Journal of Sikh Affairs, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, May 9, 2007. Ret Air India Flight 182 (Toronto--Montreal--London--Delhi), June, 23 1985: Enquiry of Justice John Major Dear Sir, My writing to you relates with some minor and major comments related to the subject, and also on ``Air India's Shared Tragedy Lost in the `SILOS' between two nations by George Abraham (The Edmonton Journal, 8th May, 2007).'' I would like to comment on Abraham's writing ``Prime Minister (Brian) Mulroney had telephoned his condolences to his Indian counterpart, Rajiv Gandhi--an act that was based on a fundamental misunderstanding of who, exactly, had been victimized, and who, in fact, was to blame.'' Mr. Abraham seems to be in the grip of part of the problem. As a Canadian national and belonging to the Canadian Sikh community, it appears to me that `telephoning to the prime minister of a country, which had betrayed Canada and the international community in 1974 (explosion of a nuclear device prepared from the by-product of a Candu reactor technology for peaceful and medical purposes) by the Right Hon. Prime Minister of Canada' was far more important than about 90 percent of the Canadian passengers of the ill-fated aircraft. It, certainly, is new information that has come out in Justice Major's enquiry. What a pity our Canadian prime minister, who put Rajiv Gandhi first rather than thinking and offering his condolences to the Canadian Sikhs and the victimized families. This act of Prime Minister Mulroney will never be forgotten by the Canadian Sikhs. Earlier, his predecessor, Charles Joseph Clark, had said to the journalists that ``if you want more information about Sikhs, go and call these numbers (of the Indian Consulate Toronto and High Commission in Ottawa):'' What an unacceptable act of the prime minister, who hands out the telephone numbers of a foreign mission to get information about Canadian Sikhs. Should we, the Canadian Sikhs who have been in Canada over a century, imply that our Canadian administration has no idea of its Sikh Canadians; or, a foreign mission in Canada has more information about the Canadian Sikhs, especially when the Indian Constitution 1950, Article 25, has eliminated the `Sikh Identity and Sikh Faith'. The latter is one of the six major faiths of our world. Does George Abraham know that Mani Shanker Iyer, an Indian diplomat, said, ``In early 1984, to the hearing of all, mentioned that at the instance of Indira Gandhi, he was given an unpleasant job of portraying Sikhs as terrorists.'' A few days later, Iyer stated that, ``against his wishes he had done the job?'' This was before ``Operation Bluestar, the orders for which had been delivered in January 1984'' (The Sikh Bulletin, October-November 2005, p. 11; editor@sikhbulletin.com). Based on the two previous enquiries and the present one which is going on, it appears to me that nothing extraordinary will come from these enquiries, because the major things which might yield substantial information and which might reveal the real cause of the `Air India Explosion of Flight 182' will never find a place in the enquiry that is going on. Some of the points that, as I believe, have not been discussed so far, are summarized below: 1. Why Mr. Zuhaire Kashmeri and Mr. Brian McAndrew, two Canadian journalists, who gave their views in their title, Soft Target India's Intelligence Service and its Role in The Air India Disaster 1989 first ed. and 2005 second ed. ISBN 10:1-55028-904-7 and 13: 978-1-55028-904-6, have not been called to testify before the enquiry commission? 2. Why Hon. David Kilgour, former member of parliament, Speaker of the House of Commons, former Secretary of State for Asia and Africa, and the author of the title BETRAYAL THE SPY CANADA ABANDONED 1994 Prentice Hall Canada Inc., Scarborough, ON ISBNO-13-325697-9, the title that contained Chapter 9 and 10, A Bizarre Episode in Rome and A Battle For Canada, pp.129-163, has not been asked to testify? Hon. Kilgour writes ``One day, while reading a German newspaper, I spotted the photograph and description of a wanted terrorist. I would have known that face anywhere. It was the man who had conducted the meeting in Rome, plotting to bomb some Air India flight. I was quite positive it was him; his name was Udo Ulbrecht or Albrecht, wanted for many terrorist attacks and kidnappings in West Germany and Western Europe. I was upset by the whole thing and decided I wanted out of West Germany as soon as I had done my time.'' In Hon. Kilgour's title, he further writes ``He was greeted in English, heavily accented with German, and led into a larger room where a number of men were already seated and smoking. There were two Sikhs wearing traditional turbans, another pair who looked Italian, Paszkowski and the German, who chaired and greeted them in English as all of them spoke the language with differing levels of fluency. The German spoke of the need for international co-operation and how important the mission was for each of their respective governments. He stressed that the group must work closely together. ``Some of the tasks,'' he said, ``might appear strange or even incomprehensible to you. Don't worry about that. Let it be the concern of those who sent you here. Your role is to carry out orders to the letter without asking questions.'' Everyone sat quietly and listened intently. ``The job at hand is, with the use of explosives, to blow up an Air India plane in Europe. Lives will be lost but we must not think about it . . . Each of you will be supplied with documents allowing you to move freely in Europe, weapons, explosives, money and detailed instructions. I will meet with each of you personally to supply you with all these. Wait for me and be prepared for action at any time.'' 3. Under the guise of `Democracy', the Indian administrations of post-15th of August, 1947 era ((JL Nehru to Manmohan Sinh) and before becoming the political masters of the British Empire later known as the British India Empire, the Brahmins/Hindus (neither a religion nor a culture; see Dalit Voice, Dalit Sahitya Akademy, Bangore, and other Sikh and non-Sikh academics), betrayed the international community and the Sikhs of Punjab, now the State of Punjab (under the occupation of the alleged Indian democracy, since the 15th of August, 1947). It must be noted that the Sikh Raj of monarch Ranjit Singh, 1799 to 14th March, 1849, was the first Secular and Sovereign country of South Asia. The Sikhs lost to the British Empire's forces led by General Gilbert on the 14th of March, 1849. As such, the ``Struggle To Regain Their Lost Sovereignty, Independence and Political Power of the Sikhs began, by peaceful means taught by their 10 Masters/Gurus (from Guru Nanak Sahib to Guru Gobind Singh ji) right on the day they lost to the British Empire's forces.'' ``The new territory of the British Empire remained `status less' but on the 29th of March, 1849, the British agent made a proclamation that the newly conquered `Sikh Raj' is ``annexed'' but not ``amalgamated'' to the British Empire for the `administration purpose only'. It should be noted that the status of the Sovereign and Secular Sikh Raj of Monarch Ranjit Singh remained as ``annexed'' territory and `not' the art of India under British Empire or the time British exit from India on the 15th of August, 1947. It should also be noted that there did not exist the word `India' in any dictionary or Encyclopedia of the English language until the British agent made the annexation of The Sikh Raj to the British Empire on the 29th of March, 1849. As such, the existence of the `Indian nationality' until the 29th of March, 1849, was out of question. The Sikhs were `never' Indian nationals, as evident from the Indian Constitution 1950, Article 25. The Constitution which Sikhs' elected representatives `rejected' in its draft and final forms in the Indian parliament in 1948, the 26th of November, 1949, 1950 and more recently on the 6th of September, 1966. The Canadian news media, along with the international news media and major democratic administrations like the United Kingdom., Canada, United States, Australia, etc., never paid any attention on the ``Sikhs'' Struggle for Independence'' for the reason only known to themselves. Volumes of books and tens of tons news dispatches have been made by the journalists virtually `devoid' of the Sikhs' Struggle for Sovereignty and Sikhs' status in the Indian Constitution 1950 Article 25. which proclaimed the alleged Indian state as the Republic of India. Under the umbrella of democracy (or Brahmins autocracy), India has killed more than 2.3 to 3.2 million Sikhs; over 500,000 Muslims in general; more than 100,000 Muslims of the Internationally Disputed Areas of Jammu and Kashmir; over 300,000 Christians; tens of thousands of Dalits; 15,000 Tamils, thousands of Assamese and other non-Brahmin, non- Hindu minorities, since 15th August, 1947. What kind of democracy in India is this which kills its own citizens? There are other democracies in our world, like the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and others. Has anyone of these countries killed its own citizen(s)? How many Brahmins, Hindus or pro-Brahmins India and its armed forces killed since its inception? I would like to hear from the journalists like Madam Kim Bolan on the genocides of the Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Kashmiris and other non-Brahmin and non-Hindu minorities carried out by the Indian democracy? Does she have any information or has she written even a single word on India carrying out genocides of non-Brahmin and non-Hindus since the 15th of August, 1947? Or, else she loves writing against the Sikhs. For Madam Kim Bolan and her national and international colleagues written specifically or generally on the `fake hijacking' carried out by the RAW of India (they must examine the archives of the All India Radio, if they pretend to be unaware of the activities of the Indian personnel of RAW and other agencies). The author was wondering if Madam Kim Bolan and her journalistic colleagues know that the `first hijacking' of South Asia' was carried out by two `Brahmin' brothers (the Pandey brothers), to secure the release of their Congress leader Indira Gandhi from a jail. Indira Gandhi awarded them, the Brahmins, with her Congress' nominations to the UP Legislative Assembly. These criminals were made the `law makers'. When criminals are made the law makers intentionally, then what could be expected in a democratic country, so to speak? Madam Kim Bolan and other journalists must read Congressman Dan Rohrabacher of California's remarks appeared in the United States Congressional Records of the House of Representatives that ``For the Sikhs, Christians, Muslims and other non-Hindu minorities, India might as well be a Nazi Germany.'' 4. A community, which is less than 15 percent of the total population of India, i.e., the Brahmins, Hindus and pro- Brahmins (3+12=15 percent), deceived and betrayed the Sikhs of the Sikh Raj of monarch Ranjit Singh, robbed them from their land (partitioned on the 15th of August, 1947) in the day light, along with the Sovereign people of states like Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad, Faridkot (now in Punjab), Bikaner (now in Rajasthan), Dalits (who are still used to remove the human waste from the households and public places of India), Adivaasis, etc. 5. The journalists and writers like Kim Bolan, George Abraham, Martin Collacott, Ian Mulgrew, Bharti Mukeherjee, Clark Blaise, Bill Moyer, etc., are virtually devoid of the `Sikhs' history from the Sikhs' point of view'. They are known as staunchly anti-Sikh writers and do not get along with the Canadian and/or American Sikhs, simply because they are `devoid' of the Sikh history. Indeed, they are well known anti-Sikh writers. Why are they anti-Sikhs and write against the Sikhs, it is only known to them. They cannot exonerate themselves from the `anti-Sikh' renowned journalists or writers for the reasons only known to them. 6. Madam Kim Bolan and other Canadian journalists, with the exception of well respected Zuhaire Kashmeri and Brian McAndrew, never understood the Canadian Sikh psyche. Why is it so? Only Madam Kim Bolan, other journalists and one Narula of the Asia Watch may explain their position, if they so desire. 7. It goes without doubt that Indian intelligence penetrated Canada in 1980s. This was done to provide cover for the Indian administration's intended `attack on the Sikhs' Darbar Sahib Complex (mistakenly known as the Golden Temple Complex), which includes the Supreme Seat of Sikh Polity, The Akal Takht Sahib, Amritsar, in the name of a brutal Indian military ``Operation Bluestar'' of June, 1984. This was not only an `undeclared' war on the Sikh Nation, Punjab, but it was carried out to `Exterminate The Sikh Identity and The Sikh Faith'. One may ask the question did Indian administration succeed? The answer is `No'; it failed miserably. Their penetration made the life of the Sikhs of Canada no less than a hell. Did anybody, especially the Canadian journalists, with two exceptions, pay any attention to Sikh nationals of Canada? Every Sikh, who is the follower of the Sikh religion, believes in the Canadian way of life, Canadian law, Canadian policy of multiculturalism provided by the administration of the Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau and Canadian values. Whereas, the Indian administration deliberately made the Sikhs as `terrorists'; on the 10th of October, 1947, just 7-weeks post of the 15th of August, 1947; the Indian administration of JL Nehu and VB Patel and their man, Chandulal Trivedi in Punjab `declared' the ``Sikhs as lawless people'' in a secret memo. The writer is citing only a few major points out of numerous. 8. Considering the penetration of Indian intelligence in 1980s, not only the RAW personnel (Research and Analysis Wing), but the Indian administration made use of Sikhs, especially Akalis like Gurcharan Singh Tohra, Harchand Longowal, Balwant Ramoowalia, Prakash Singh Badal, Balwant Singh, Dr Jagjit Singh Chohan (now deceased), Maj-Gen Jaswant Bhullar, M S Sidhu, Didar Singh Bains of the United States, Prabhu Dayal Singh, Harjinderpal Singh Nagra and Akalis (correspondence between R K Dhawan of 1, Safdarjang Road, New Delhi; the 30th of January--April 25, 1984; please see Chakravyuh Web of Indian Secularism by Gurtej Singh 2000

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, Indian policeman in temple with revolver is not the solution to a game of Clue, it's the latest outrage out of India. As we approach the 23rd anniversary of India's brutal military attack on the Golden Temple, the center of the Sikh culture and religion, an undercover Indian policeman was found carrying a revolver into the Golden Temple, where these kinds of weapons are prohibited. It was discovered when the gun fell out of his pocket. I shudder to think what he may have been intending to do with it. The chief minister of Punjab, Paraksh Singh Badal, did nothing about this outrage because he is in bed with the Indian Government and in opposition to his Sikh constituents. This desecration of the Golden Temple is outrageous and a reminder that India remains an occupying power in the Sikh homeland, Punjab, Khalistan, which declared its independence on October 7, 1987. The Council of Khalistan has published an open letter deploring this desecration of the Sikh nation's most sacred site. It notes that this is part of the Indian Government's ongoing effort to destroy the Sikh religion and demands that the jathedar of the Akal Takht, Joginder Singh Vedanti, censure chief Minister Badal for his part in allowing this to occur. We cannot continue to support such actions. They violate the fundamental religious freedom that all free people enjoy. We must take strong action. Cutting off aid and trade until these kinds of atrocities end would be a good first step. And we should demand a free and fair vote in Khalistan, in Kashmir, in Nagaland, and wherever the people seek freedom on the subject of independence. Self-determination is the essence of democracy. Indian Policeman Caught at Akal Takht Sahib With Revolver Just a few days ago, the Tribune of Chandigarh reported that an Indian policeman was caught with a revolver at the Akal Takht Sahib. His revolver fell on the ground. He was manhandled by the Sikhs there. No one is allowed to take firearms inside the Golden Temple. By doing so, this policeman violated the Maryada of the Golden Temple. The shameful Akali government has allowed undercover policemen to desecrate the Golden Temple. The Khalsa Panth condemns this with full force. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal should be removed from his position and the Akal Takht Jathedar should censure him for his sacrilege and violating the Rehat Maryada of the Akal Takht. The Indan government is determined to destroy the Sikh religion by any and all means. They are trying to create sects in the Sikh religion, such as Dera Sucha (Jhutha) Sauda, Nirankari, Radswami, and other such cults. After Guru Gobind Singh there is no living guru, as the heads of these sects claim to be. That is contrary to the Sikh religion. It is blasphemous. These Deras are a cancer on the Sikh religion. They must not be allowed to spread their cancer and the violence that they bring among the Sikhs. Guru Gobind Singh Sahib bestowed the guruship on the Guru Granth Sahib and for political decisions transferred power to the Panj Piaras (the Five Chosen Ones.) This desecration of Sikhism cannot be allowed to continue. It will only stop when we free Khalistan from Indian occupation. Badal blames Captain Amarinder Singh for this situation. He cannot shirk his own responsibility. As Chief Minister, he is responsible for law and order. He should prosecute this baba and such cult leaders and close all Deras in Punjab. If he won't do it, the Khalsa Panth will and we will find new leaders who can serve the interests of the Khalsa Panth, not the Indian government. Sikhs should have known better. In 1984, it was this Akali party and this Akali leadership of Badal, Tohra, and Longowal who invited the Indian army into the Golden Temple. If anyone attacks the Golden Temple, Sikhs can never forgive or forget it. The Congress Party attacked the Golden Temple; they should not be supported by the Khalsa Panth. It was the Akalis who invited them in. They should also be rejected. We need new Sikh leadership which can deliver a sovereign, independent Khalistan to the Sikh Nation. Power resides in the Khalsa Panth. Sikhs in Punjab must shoulder their responsibility. Get rid of the present Akali leadership and establish a new Sikh leadership. If we do not, if we let this leadership linger, our misery is prolonged and the Sikh Nation suffers more. It is time to stand up and free the Sikh homeland, Punjab, Khalistan. In 1986, the Sarbat Khalsa was called. The Sarbat Khalsa formed the Panthic Committee under the leadership of Baba Gurcharan Singh Manochahal (who was later murdered by the Indian government.) It passed a resolution for Khalistan on April 29, 1986. The Panthic Committee formally declared independence on October 7, 1987. It established the Council of Khalistan at that time to serve as the government pro tempore of Khalistan and appointed this humble sewadar as President of the Council of Khalistan. For the past 20 years, I have worked very hard, along with all the advisors and supporters of the Council of Khalistan, to achieve our objective of sovereignty for Khalistan. Any major event in Punjab since 1984 has been documented in the Congressional Record in statements by various Members of Congress. We thank them for their support for the independence of Khalistan. Congressional hearings were held in the U.S. Congress by Rep. Ben Blaz, Rep. Dan Burton, and others on human-rights violations and the independence of Khalistan. Special orders of the U.S. Congress on human- rights violations and the independence of Khalistan have been conducted. The Indian government is trying to alter the Sikh history in Punjab since 1984. They will not succeed because it is preserved in the library of the U.S. Congress. It will lie there safely for a long time. Students of history will find the true story of what happened to the Sikh Nation since 1984. Khalsa Ji, the time has come for Sikhs to unite and free Khalistan. Remember the words of Guru Gobind Singh, ``I grant sovereignty to the humble Sikhs.'' Freedom is the birthright of all people and nations. It is also granted by our Gurus. The Indian government is so afraid that it is planting agents in Gurdwara committees and organizations that fight for Khalistan. It is creating Deras and planting agents in the Golden Temple to try to stoke violence. It is arresting Sikh activists for protesting a statue of the repressive, murderous Beant Singh, who was responsible for the murder of over 50,000 Sikhs and the secret cremation of their bodies by declaring them ``unidentified'', as well as the murders of Sardar Jaswant Singh Khalra, who exposed that brutal policy, and Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaunke, or for making pro- Khalistani speeches and raising the flag of Khalistan. Beware of Sikh leaders who do the bidding of the Indian government. Just the other day in the Southall Gurdwara in the United Kingdom, Sikh youth took control of the stage when the present management, which is under the control of the Indian Embassy, refused to do Ardas for Shaheed Bhai Kanwaljit Singh, who was killed by followers of the cult leader Ram Rahim when he went to confront them. We must replace these management committees with pro-Sikh, pro-Khalistani managements. Khalsa Ji, the time has come. Take responsibility and rise to the occasion. Work for the freedom of Khalistan so that the Sikh religion can flourish and the Sikh Nation can live with honor and dignity. Only then can the future of the Khalsa Panth be bright. Remember the words of the former Jathedar of the Akal Takht Sahib, Professor Darshan Singh, that ``If a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.'' Let us show true Sikh spirit. We must rise up and free Khalistan now.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, the beginning of June marks the 23rd anniversary of India's military attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, which is the seat of the Sikh religion. It occurred from June 3 through June 6, 1984. Many other Sikh Gurdwaras were attacked at the same time in what was known as Operation Bluestar, which killed over 20,000 Sikhs. That was the beginning of a genocide in which over 250,000 Sikhs were killed. During the attack, young Sikh boys, ranging in age from 8 to 13 years old, were taken outside and shot to death. Other soldiers bravely shot bullets into the Sikh holy scriptures. As Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in the attack, predicted, it laid the foundation for the liberation of the Sikh homeland, Khalistan. This brutal attack was a desecration of the Sikh religion and culture and a bitter reminder that there is no place for Sikhs or other minorities in Hindu India. They are simply used for the greater glory of the Brahmins. The Council of Khalistan, which will be leading a commemorative demonstration across from the White House on June 2, has published an excellent open letter on the massacre. If we want to put an end to ongoing repression, Madam Speaker, we should support independence for all the nations of South Asia. We should go on record in support of a free and fair plebiscite, monitored, on the question of independence for Khalistan, Kashmir, Nagaland, and all the nations of the subcontinent. We should stop trading with India and providing it aid until it respects the basic right to self-determination and all human rights for all its people, whether Brahmin or Dalit, whether Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Muslim, or whatever. We send India development aid, Madam Speaker, and it puts just 2 percent of its development budget to education and just 2 percent to health, but 25 percent to nuclear development! Remember that India began the nuclear escalation in South Asia. 23rd Anniversary of Golden Temple Attack Dear Khalsa Panth: Next month marks the 23rd anniversary of the Indian government's brutal attack and desecration of Darbar Sahib, the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Sikhs must never forget or forgive this atrocity. Remember that the Indian troops shot bullet holes into an original copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, written in the time of the Gurus. They took over 100 young Sikh boys, ages 8 to 13, out into the courtyard of the complex and asked them if they supported Khalistan. When they answered ``Bole So Nihar'', they were shot to death. Thirty seven (37) other Gurdwaras were simultaneously attacked. In all, more than 20,000 Sikhs were killed in that operation. This kind of brutality makes it clear that there is no place for Sikhs in India. Since that horrible four-day operation, which took place from June 3 through 6, 1984, over a quarter of a million Sikhs have been murdered at the hands of the Indian government, according to figures compiled by the Punjab State magistracy and human-rights groups. More than 52,000 are being held as political prisoners, according to a report by the Movement Against State Repression. They are held without charge or trail, many since 1984. We demand the immediate release of all political prisoners and a full accounting for those who may have died in custody. Instead, our highest institutions--the Golden Temple, the Punjab government, the Akali Dal, and others--remain under Indian control. Our homeland, Khalistan, remains under Indian occupation 20 years after declaring its independence from India. Half a million Indian troops continue to enforce the peace of the bayonet in Punjab, Khalistan. Remember the words of Narinder Singh, a spokesman for the Golden Temple, to America's National Public Radio: ``The Indian government, all the time they boast that they are democratic, that they are secular, that they have nothing to do with a democracy, nothing to do with a secularism. They just kill Sikhs just to please the majority.'' Sant Bhindranwale told us that the attack would ``lay the foundation of Khalistan.'' Indeed, it did. On October 7, 1987, Khalistan declared its independence. We must use this anniversary to rededicate ourselves to reclaiming that freedom that is our birthright. In 1986, Harcharan Singh Longowal struck the Rajiv-Longowal Accord, in which India promised to return the capital city of Chandigarh, which Sikhs built, and the Punjabi-speaking areas of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana, which were kept out of Punjab in 1965. Twenty-one years later, India has not kept that promise. India has a long history of not keeping its promises. It promised the people of Kashmir a plebiscite on their status in 1948 and the vote has never been held. Nor has it kept its promises to the people of Nagaland. Instead, Nehru said that even if he had to put a soldier under every tree, he would never allow a free Nagaland. The Indian government has killed over 90,000 Kashmiri Muslims, over 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, tens of thousands of Muslims and Christians elsewhere in the country, and tens of thousands of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, Tamils, and other minorities. Tens of thousands more of them continue to be held as politica1 prisoners, according to Amnesty International. Is that a democracy? These facts underline the necessity to free our homeland, Khalistan, now, and to support freedom for all the people of South Asia. Remember the words of Guru Gobind Singh, ``In grieb Sikhin ko deon Patshahi.'' (``I grant sovereignty to the humble Sikhs.'') Freedom is the birthright of all people and nations. It is also granted by our Gurus. When I visited Pakistan in November for Guru Nanak's birthday, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz, offered to build a road from Kartarpur (where Guru Nanak left this world) to the border if India will build their portion. They even offered to build a fence if India wants one. With this road, Sikhs could go, and visit this holy site with no visa. The Akalis could build this road themselves, but they have not done it so far. The spineless Akalis continue to be lapdogs of Delhi. How could the Akalis join with the BJP (the political arm of the RSS) to form a government when the BJP is determined to destroy the Sikh religion by any and all means at their disposal? We must end Indian control of our government, society, and institutions. That control is what the Golden Temple attack was designed to cement. We must stand up and say no. Remember Maharajah Ranjit Singh, who led a powerful, secular Sikh state that was independent from 1765 to 1849. Let us have a new birth of freedom, in our homeland, Khalistan. The Indian government is scared of the Sikh Nation's aspiration for freedom. Recently, it set off an incident in which Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh dressed up as Guru Gobind Singh and advertised in the newspaper, offering to give Amrit to anyone, a function reserved for the Panj Piaras after Guru Gobind Singh baptized them. In addition, it recently put up a statue of Beant Singh, former Chief Minister of Punjab, who presided over the killing of a majority of the 250,000-plus Sikhs who have been murdered. Simranjit Singh Mann and Wassan Singh Zaffarwal were arrested for peacefully protesting the statue. In 2005, 35 Sikhs were arrested for making speeches and raising the flag of Khalistan. All these repressive acts are in the spirit of the Golden Temple attack and continue the repression. They are evidence that we must free Khalistan now. Let us remind the Indian government that we have not forgotten the atrocities committed against the Khalsa panth at the Golden Temple and from then on. It is time to reclaim our freedom. India must act like the democracy it claims to be and grant a free and fair plebiscite on the issue of Khalistan under international supervision. It must stop arresting Sikh activists for peaceful political activity. And we must honor the spirits of Bhindranwale and all the others killed at the Golden Temple and the 37 other Gurdwaras by launching a Shantmai Morcha to liberate our homeland, Khalistan, once and for all. Until then, we will continue to suffer under India's brutal repression. Let's see to it that our Sikh brothers and sisters finally enjoy the glow of freedom. I ask Sikhs of all shades and political affiliations to join hands to free Khalistan. Remember the words of the former Jathedar of the akal Takht Sahib, Professor Darshan Singh, that ``If a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.'' Sincerely, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President, Council of Khalistan.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, India is again promoting sectarian violence in pursuit of its continued control of the Sikhs and other minorities. A fake baba named Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, who is sponsored by the Indian government, created a sect called Dera Sacha Sauda, one of many sects set up to divide the Sikh people. He took out a newspaper ad in which he dressed up as Guru Gobind Singh and offered to perform the rite of Amrit, which not anyone can perform, for anyone who contacted him. Performing this rite is reserved for specific religious leaders. This ad caused massive protests, as it was an insult to the Sikh religion. Those demonstrations turned violent. A man named Kanwaljit Singh was murdered by the followers of the Dera when he went there to confront them about Ram Rahim's behavior. This marks an ongoing practice of promoting violence in the minority communities so as to divide and rule them. As they did in Gujarat a few years ago, the Hindu government set in motion bloodshed to keep the minority community--Muslims then, Sikhs now--divided. Madam Speaker, this is reprehensible, unacceptable, and undemocratic. It is outrageous behavior for any government and it should not be supported by countries like ours. We must stop aid and trade with India and we must support freedom for Khalistan and the other nations seeking their freedom from Indian rule. The Council of Khalistan put out a good press release condemning the Indian government's incitement of sectarian violence. Council of Khalistan Condemns Promotion of Sectarian Violence by India Washington, DC, May 16, 2007.--The Council of Khalistan condemned the recent violence in Punjab, sparked by an advertisement in the newspaper by Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, the head of Dera Sacha Sauda, in which Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh dressed as Guru Gobind Singh and advertised that he would give Amrit to anyone who asked. This is reserved only for the Panj Plaras. This is an insult to the Sikh religion and clearly backed by the Indian government, said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, the government pro tempore of Khalistan, which leads the struggle for Khalistan's independence. ``There are no Deras or sects in the Sikh religion. There is only one Sikh religion and Sikh Nation,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Fake Babas like Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh are part of the Indian government's ongoing effort to weaken the Sikh religion and prevent Sikhs from achieving freedom,'' he said, Next month marks the anniversary of the Golden Temple massacre, Dr. Aulakh noted. During that attack, young boys ages 8 to 13 were taken outside and asked if they supported Khalistan, the independent Sikh country. When they answered with the Sikh religious phrase ``Bole So Nihal,'' they were shot to death. The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scriptures, written in the time of the Sikh Gurus, were shot full of bullet holes and burned by the Indian forces. Former President Bill Clinton wrote in the foreword to Madeleine Albright's book that Indian forces were responsible for the massacre of 38 Sikhs in 2000 in the village of Chithisinghpora. Recently, two leading Sikh activists were arrested for peacefully protesting the construction of a statue to honor Beant Singh, the late Chief Minister who presided over the murder of tens of thousands of Sikhs. In 2005, 35 Sikhs were arrested for making speeches and raising the flag of Khalistan. Sikh farmers are forced by the government to buy supplies and seeds for unaffordably high prices and forced to sell their crops well below market prices. ``These incidents show that we need to free our homeland, Khalistan,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``Remember what former Akal Takht Jathedar Professor Darshan Singh said: `If a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not a Sikh.' '' A report issued by the Movement Against State Repression (MASR) shows that India admitted that it held 52,268 political prisoners under the repressive ``Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act'' (TADA) even though it expired in 1995. Many have been in illegal custody since 1984. There has been no list published of those who were acquitted under TADA and those who are still rotting in Indian jails. Additionally, according to Amnesty International, there are tens of thousands of other minorities being held as political prisoners. MASR report quotes the Punjab Civil Magistracy as writing ``if we add up the figures of the last few years the number of innocent persons killed would run into lakhs [hundreds of thousands.]'' The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since 1984. more than 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, over 90,000 Muslims in Kashmir, tens of thousands of Christians and Muslims throughout the country, and tens of thousands of Tamils, Assamese, Manipuris, and others. The Indian Supreme Court called the Indian government's murders of Sikhs ``worse than a genocide.'' ``Only in a free Khalistan will the Sikh Nation prosper and get justice,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``When Khalistan is free, we will have our own Ambassadors, our own representation in the UN and other international bodies, and our own leaders to keep this sort of thing from happening. We won't be at the mercy of the brutal Indian regime and its Hindu militant allies,'' he said. ``Democracies don't commit genocide. India should act like a democracy and allow a plebiscite on independence for Khalistan and all the nations of South Asia,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``We must continue to pray for and work for our God-given birthright of freedom,'' he said. ``Without political power, religions cannot flourish and nations perish.''

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, as you mow, the government of Canada has undertaken another investigation into the 1985 Air India bombing. Recently, the Council of Khalistan wrote to the Canadian Justice Minister about that investigation. The letter states that ``the Indian government continues to try to blame Sikhs for this atrocity, despite the fact that Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri were acquitted by a Canadian judge, who said that the witnesses against them were not credible.'' In the letter, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, notes that the Canadian Security Investigation Service (CSIS) said at the time, ``if you really want to clear the incidents quickly, take vans down to the Indian High Commission and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, load up everybody and take them down for questioning. We know it and they know it that they were involved.'' The Indian Consul General in Toronto, Mr. Surinder Malik, pulled his wife and daughter off the flight at the last minute. A friend of his who was a car dealer also cancelled his reservation suddenly. Mr. Malik called in a lot of information about the case before the incident was even public knowledge, including a tip to look for an ``L. Singh'' on the passenger manifest. ``L. Singh'' was the name under which one of the bombers held his tickets. The other was ``M. Singh.'' Later, a man named Lal Singh told the press that he was offered ``two million dollars and settlement in a nice country'' to give false testimony in the case--an offer that Mr. Singh declined. It seems that, as Zuhair Kashmeri and Brian McAndrew, the Canadian journalists who wrote the definitive book on the case, Soft Target, noted, ``[Consul General] Malik knew more details about the two blasts than did the police investigators.'' How did this Indian government official know so much so soon? He also admitted that he fed information to the Toronto Globe and Mail to make a stronger case to blame the Sikhs for the bombing. This was part of a coordinated Indian government effort to paint the Sikh community as terrorists. It is also worth noting that the Sikh group on whom India has placed the blame all these years is a group called Babbar Khalsa. It is heavily infiltrated by the Indian government. So by trying to blame Babbar Khalsa, the government is essentially taking the blame itself. I recommend to all my colleagues that they read this informative letter. This is just further proof, if any is needed, that India is a regime that will carry out acts of terror to promote its own political objectives. Remember that India has killed more than a quarter of a million Sikhs, according to the Punjab State Magistracy, and hold over 52,000 of them as political prisoners, according to the Movement Against State Repression. As I have asked before, why does a democracy need a Movement Against State Repression anyway? Amnesty International reports that tens of thousands of other minorities are held as political prisoners in India, and it has killed over 90,000 Kashmiri Muslims, over 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, and tens of thousands of other minorities as well. Why should the American people and government support such a government, especially at a time when we are putting our young people on the front lines to fight against terrorism? The time has come to cut off our aid to Indian, end our trade with them, and put Congress on record in support of the freedom movements there. This is the way to peace, freedom, prosperity, and stability in South Asia, Madam Speaker. Council of Khalistan, Washington, DC, May 16, 2007. Hon. Robert Douglas Nicholson, Justice Minister of Canada, House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada. Dear Minister Nicholson: I am writing in regard to your new inquiry into the Air India Flight 182 bombing of 1985. I see no purpose for this ongoing inquiry. As you know, the Indian government continues to try to blame Sikhs for this atrocity, despite the fact that Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri were acquitted by a Canadian judge, who said that the witnesses against them were ``not credible.'' Shortly after the bombing occurred, two Canadian journalists, Zuhair Kashmeri of the Toronto Globe and Mail and Brian McAndrew of the Toronto Star, wrote an excellent book on the case entitled Soft Target, which proves that the Indian government itself carried out the bombing. This finding is confirmed in a book by former Member of Parliament David Kilgour entitled Betrayal: The Spy Canada Abandoned. I urge you to call Mr. Kashmeri and Mr. Mcandrew as witnesses in the inquiry. Soft Target shows how the Indian regime bombed its own airliner in 1985, killing 329 innocent people, to justify further repression against the Sikhs. The book quotes an investigator from the Canadian Security Investigation Service as saying, ``If you really want to clear the incidents quickly, take vans down to the Indian High Commission and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, load up everybody and take them down for questioning. We know it and they know it that they are involved.'' Among many other things, they note that the Indian Consul General in Toronto, Mr. Surinder Malik (no relation to Ripudaman Singh Malik), called in a detailed description of the disaster just hours later when it took the Canadian investigators weeks to find that information. He told them that they should check the passenger manifest for an ``L. Singh'' because he was responsible--before there was any public knowledge of the bombing! According to Wikipedia, on June 20, 1985, two days before the flight, ``at 1910 GMT, a man paid for the two tickets with $3,005 in cash at a CP ticket office in Vancouver. The names on the reservations were changed; `Jaswand Singh' became `M. Singh' and `Mohinderbel Singh' became `L. Singh.' ''. Note that this is the same name that Consul General Malik told investigators to look for--``L. Singh.'' It would later come out in newspaper reports that a Sikh named Lal Singh told the press that he was offered ``two m111ion dollars and settlement in a nice country'' by the Indian regime to give false testimony in the case. Consul General Malik had also pulled his wife and daughter off the flight suddenly at the last minute, on the feeble excuse that the daughter had a paper for school. A friend of Consul General Malik's who was a Car dealer also cancelled at the last minute. According to Kashmeri and McAndrew, ``Curiously, [Consul General] Malik knew more details about the two blasts than did the police investigators. . . . Malik said that while one of the suspects was booked to Japan, the other was booked to Toronto and onwards to Bombay. He also said that the two checked their bomb-laden bags but did not board the flight themselves. In sum, Malik had painted a scenario of the double sabotage operation that was a near perfect account of what the Mounties would take weeks to fathom. [Consul General] Malik continually fed the Globe information pointing to Sikh terrorists as the source of the bombs. He was behind another story six days after the crash, this one headlined `Air-India pilot reported given parcel by Sikh.'.'' Kashmeri and McAndrew also wrote, ``Malik pressured the Globe to publish this story, adding that it could be used to make a stronger case for blaming the Air-India and Narita bombings on the Babbar Khalsa leader. Malik also decried the Canadian system of justice for failing to come up with a quick solution to the bombings. `In India we would have had a confession by now. You people have too many civil and human- rights laws,' he complained.'' The Sikh organization that the Indian government said was responsible, Babbar Kahlsa, is and was then heavily infiltrated by Indian government operatives at very high levels of the organization. The main backer of the group had received a $2 million loan from the State Bank of India just before the plane was attacked, according to Soft Target. The year after the bombing, three Indian consuls general were asked to leave the country. In his book, Kilgour wrote that Canadian-Polish double agent Ryszard Paszkowski was approached to join a plot to carry out a second bombing. The people who approached Paszkowski were connected to the Indian government. Yet the Indian government continues to apply pressure to find some Sikhs guilty of the bombing. I am sure that your inquiry will be conducted with fairness and justice. I hope that you will find the real culprits and put this matter to rest. The bombing was an Indian government operation from the beginning. If there is anything I can do to assist you, please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President, Council of Khalistan.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to say farewell to a great friend and a great American, Jack Valenti, who passed away last Thursday. When Jack spoke, people listened. His soaring eloquence and remarkable intellect made this town a better place and all of us better legislators. How lucky we were to know him and to have him as a resource and a friend. Jack served in President Lyndon Johnson's administration, and made his name and reputation early. Jack quickly became known as a hard worker, making friends with both Democrats and Republicans alike. When Jack resigned his White House position and became president of the Motion Picture Association of America, his star really began to shine. We are going to miss Jack Valenti, a person that had the ability to bring people together, a person that had the ability to let people understand that we all need each other. Jack, we are going to miss you, but I am certain you will be screening pictures in heaven.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, today, Washington welcomes Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, a country that has been our good and trusted ally in Asia. The Prime Minister's visit promises to further cement this important and expanding U.S.-Japan relationship. Our strong ties depend upon our shared values of democracy and human rights or as his Foreign Minister notes, a ``values oriented diplomacy.'' Unfortunately, the rhetoric does not consistently match Tokyo's actions towards its neighbors and allies. This is dramatically true in regard to the Comfort Women tragedy where possibly as many as 200,000 women and girls were pressed into sexual servitude for the Imperial Armed Forces of Japan. My colleague, Mr. Honda, is the leader on this issue and introduced on January 31, 2007, H. Res. 121, legislation that calls upon Japan to ``acknowledge, apologize, and accept historical responsibility in a clear and unequivocal statement for Imperial Japan's Armed Force's maintenance of a system of sexual slavery, presently known to the world as `Comfort Women,' during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands.'' On February 15, 2007, Mr. Faleomavaega, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific and the Global Environment, held a moving hearing with three survivors of this abusive Imperial Japanese government sanctioned and maintained system. It was clear from their testimony that these women needed, but had not received an adequate apology for their suffering and humiliation from the Government of Japan. Clearly their experience is neither new nor has this sort of violence against women stopped. The topic of sex slavery is not merely a historical footnote, but has relevance to today's world where human trafficking is exploding and rape is a feature of ethnic conflict. Thus, it should come as no surprise that H. Res. 121 has substantial bipartisan support, with nearly 100 cosponsors. To date, a careful analysis of the Japanese political process shows that Japan has never provided an official governmental apology to the Comfort Women. This is incredible. Do the Japanese think we do not understand their political system, nor care to? It is also a concern of Congress that Tokyo's apparent insensitivity, it's surprising and insistent focus on narrow definitions and self- seeking legalisms convincing to no one but a few, even in Japan, is harming U.S. relationships in Asia and adding instability to an already volatile region. An unequivocal admission of past wrongdoing toward the Comfort Women would remove an outstanding moral issue weakening the ties between Japan and major U.S. allies in the region. But more important, it would demonstrate Japan's commitment to human rights, women's rights, and underscore its very new efforts to combat human trafficking. Officially apologizing to the surviving Comfort Women is ``value oriented diplomacy.'' Getting history right and taking formal responsibility for historical misdeeds are the marks of a great nation. An apology from Japan with respect to the Comfort Women would enhance Japan's over 60-year history of constructive and responsible membership in the today's world community and our alliance. Madam Speaker, for all these reasons, I hope that my colleagues will join in co-sponsoring H. Res. 121 to signal that the U.S. is very concerned about this important request for social justice and human dignity from Japan.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor to the work and achievements of Reverend Dr. Kevin Bond. Beginning at age 11, Dr. Bond began to gravitate toward the church. He studied the bible under Bishop Carl E. Williams, Sr. for whom he became an Associate Minister after orating his first sermon at the age of 18. Dr. Bond enhanced his biblical knowledge by receiving a collegiate education. He earned High Honors at the Community Bible and Tabernacle Bible Institute and the New York School of the Bible. He also received a Masters of Divinity from the New York Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Ministry from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Dr. Bond is one of 12 delegates to join a significant work with the UJA Federation of New York and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York for their Community Leaders' Mission in 2004. Dr. Bond always felt a need to help others in his community. His unfettered desire to do so was demonstrated when he established his own pastorship of the Citadel of Praise and Worship Church. He founded the Citadel's first bible study class in order to help enlighten fellow members of his community by teaching them the stories of the bible. On January 5, 1997, the Citadel held its first Sunday morning worship service in Brooklyn, NY, with 35 people attendance at Dr. Bond's first- ever service. His efforts to help others did not stop at the Citadel. Dr. Bond preached as he traveled across the country, with a focus on helping those in urban communities. To this day, Dr. Bond continues to assist those living in an urban setting with early child care learning programs, youth mentoring, and food and counseling programs for the homeless. Dr. Bond also educates young people in the secular realm, by serving as an educator with the New York State Board of Education to the academic and social development of the urban community. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize Dr. Kevin Bond's selfless education and community betterment efforts that have improved the lives of countless individuals. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Dr. Kevin Bond.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. I join the Jewish communities of my district in Brooklyn, the entire American Jewish community, and the State of Israel in recognizing this barbaric chapter of world history. Over 60 years ago, the Nazi regime in Germany began the wholesale slaughter of the European Jewry. This occurred with little public outrage in the United States and the international community. The world, as well the American government under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, refused to act to save European Jewry and that silence undoubtedly contributed to the death of six million Jews, a million of whom were children. When we hear the number six million, we shudder. The enormity of that number is paralyzing. Merely trying to count to six million would take months. Imagining the Nazi death machine executing so many human beings is daunting. Particularly for those of us who have not survived the Holocaust, absorbing the reality of that destruction from survivors is so essential to passing on the history of the Holocaust. The moving museums and heart wrenching memorials dedicated to the Holocaust across the United States are vital in educating today's youth about the horrors of the Holocaust, and I want to commend all organizations and groups that are committed to this important work. It is additionally critical that European countries preserve the glaring remnants of the Holocaust that still exist today. Whether they are death camps, mass gravesites, cemeteries, synagogues or other holy sites from pre-Holocaust Europe, European governments have an obligation to preserve those sites for future generations. Sadly, numerous European countries including Lithuania, Ukraine and Romania have on occasion shirked their responsibilities in this regard. While we remember the absolute devastation the Holocaust wrought on the Jewish community, we also mark the strength of those who heroically resisted the Nazis including those who fought in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising and at the Sobibor extermination camp. I am privileged to represent a large but dwindling population of Holocaust survivors in my district. Many of these survivors rebuilt their lives with nothing more than the shirt on their back. Today, based on the strong foundations of those Holocaust survivors, the beautiful Jewish communities of Williamsburg, Midwood and Canarsie have flourished. These communities represent the best of Jewish life and have been instrumental in resurrecting religious life in the aftermath of the Holocaust by creating synagogues, yeshivas, and other religious institutions. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of organizations that have taken extraordinary steps in servicing and caring for the Holocaust survivor population in my district: The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty; The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg; The Council of Jewish Organizations of Flatbush; The Jewish Community Council of Canarsie; The Conference of Jewish Material Claims Against Germany; Peasch Tikvah and all the Bikkur Cholim organizations. Their selfless work for Holocaust survivors continues to serve as an inspiration to me and I am honored to recognize their hard work. Madam Speaker, I join my colleagues here today in remembering the Holocaust. Though there are still Holocaust deniers today, it is imperative that we never forget.