Ed Towns

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Edward A. Carter, a man who believes in working within his community as though it is his home, and with his neighbors as though they are his family. Mr. Edward A. Carter was born in Richmond, VA. At the age of 2 he moved to the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn where he attended public school and graduated with honors. Mr. Carter enlisted in the military services in 1950 and served in the 715th AA Battalion. After receiving his B.S. degree at LaSalle University, Mr. Carter enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served overseas. Edward Carter received several commendations of merit and four honorable discharges, one from the U.S. Army, and three from the U.S. Air Force. After retiring from the Armed Forces, he moved to the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn where he has participated in many social, civic, and fraternal organizations. As the executive director and founder of the Fort Greene Youth Patrol Inc., Mr. Carter serves the needs of hundreds of inner city youth, young adults, and senior citizens. As a founding board member of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, he served as chairman of the Parks and Public Safety Committee for 20 years. Mr. Carter is also the cofounder and vice chairman of the Fort Greene Senior Citizens Council which serves 900 or more senior citizens, Greene Community Corp. Mr. Carter is extremely active in veterans affairs and simultaneously works with Cumberland Neighborhood Family Clinic and the Veteran Association. Mr. Carter is a 20-year board member for the Selective Services No. 145 in Brooklyn, and a member of the American Legion. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saluting Mr. Edward A. Carter for his outstanding contribution to the Armed Forces and to the people of the Fort Greene community in Brooklyn.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember a tragic chapter in history, India's 1984 desecration of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the highest shrine of the Sikh Nation. From June 3 through June 6 of that year, the Golden Temple and 38 other Sikh temples were subjected to the kind of military assault which would have stirred the world's outrage if it had occurred at the Vatican or Mecca. More than 20,000 Sikhs died at the hands of the Indian regime in these attacks. Yet the world hardly noticed. On this sad anniversary, the Indian regime maintains police surveillance at the Golden Temple for no purpose other than to harass Sikhs who seek to worship at their holiest shrine. The newly elected Chief Minister of Punjab, Parkash Singh Badal, promised during his campaign that he would remove this intrusive, authoritarian presence. That pledge has not been carried out. There could be no more appropriate way to observe the anniversary of the Golden Temple massacre than for Chief Minister Badal to reiterate his order to remove the security forces and fire any officials who defy this order. If he cannot or will not do so, then we will be forced to conclude that the Punjab elections were a sham and the new government has no power. This will show that India's repression of the Sikhs in Punjab, Khalistan is just as tight as it ever was. In this context, the Sikh Nation's demand for freedom is more urgent than ever. As many of us have pointed out, the Sikh Nation declared its independence on October 7, 1987. They called their new country Khalistan. The United States should go on record in support of freedom for Khalistan. If India is truly the democracy it claims to be, it should hold a plebiscite in occupied Khalistan to let the Sikh Nation decide its own political future. It should also end its campaign of ethnic cleansing against the Sikhs and other peoples of South Asia, such as the Muslims of Kashmir, the Christians of Nagaland, the Assamese, Manipuris, Tamils, and the aboriginal people of South Asia, the Dalits--also known as the untouchables. If India is unwilling to do these few, simple things then it will prove once and for all that all of India's claims that it is the world's largest democracy are a cruel hoax. It will show the world that in reality, India is one of the world's most tyrannical police states. The United States can and should encourage India to take these steps for freedom in the subcontinent. We can raise our voice on behalf of freedom by declaring our support for an independent Khalistan, cutting off U.S. aid to India, and hitting this repressive regime with an embargo similar to the one that helped bring down apartheid in South Africa. By these modest measures, we can help end the repression in South Asia so that the subcontinent can have a new birth of freedom. That Is the best way to ensure peace, prosperity, and stability in this unhappy region. Let us honor the struggle of the Sikh Nation on this terrible anniversary by initiating these policies today.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on May 20, 1997, the people of Taiwan celebrated President Lee Teng-hui's first anniversary in office. Lee Teng-hui, the ninth President of the Republic of China on Taiwan, is a Cornell-educated statesman, who strongly believes in economic and political growth. During his years in office, first as the appointed President and later as the first elected President in the history of the Republic of China, he has given the people of Taiwan confidence in themselves and the hope of an even better tomorrow. President Lee is a leader with vision. Thanks to him, the people of Taiwan are able to enjoy high standards of living and personal freedoms, privileges unknown to their brethren on the Chinese mainland. Congratulations to the people of Taiwan.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the gentlewoman from Florida's amendment. This amendment correct a grievous wrong against elderly and disabled legal immigrants which was enacted by Congress as part of last year's welfare reform law. One of the reasons that I opposed that measure was the elimination of SSI and food stamp benefits to many of this Nation's legal residents. Without this amendment over 800,000 legal immigrants will lose their eligibility for SSI and food stamps, and in some cases their Medicaid benefits, in August while this body is in recess. It must be remembered that many of these immigrants were invited to this country as refugees or arrived through the family reunification provisions of our immigration law. Many worked, paid taxes and contributed to this society, as long as they were physically able to do so. Our action, last Congress, was nothing more than a punishment for them not becoming U.S. citizens, a requirement that has never been imposed on legal residents previously, and certainly a requirement that should not be imposed retroactively. Today, we have an opportunity to right a wrong. I urge my colleagues to join in adopting the gentlelady's amendment. Let us not be guilty of inflicting needless suffering on those whose only crime is that they are not U.S. citizens.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman, in a study released last week, scientists reported that children who are allergic to cockroaches and heavily exposed to other insects were three times more likely to be hospitalized than other asthmatic youth. Many of these youngsters live in the poorest areas of our Nation, areas with a high concentration of public housing units. In response to the findings of this study, I rise today to offer an amendment which will help to save the lives of many asthmatic children who live in public housing. We all know that asthma is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases and we know now that there is a strong link between cockroaches and asthma. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, cockroaches cause one quarter of all asthma in inner cities. Asthma is increasing in cities and in suburbs, but it is especially bad in our inner cities. My amendment would permit the Secretary to provide for assessments to identify any pest control programs and evaluate the performance of public housing agencies as it relates to the eradication or control of the pest problem in public housing. This year in the Committee on Commerce we have had numerous hearings on ozone and particulate matter and its possible effects on children with asthma. As we try to find reasonable solutions to this environmental issue, let us take this opportunity to solve a problem that we know is a major cause of asthma in inner city children. I would also like to point out that in 1990, and we are spending a lot more now than then, that we spent $6.2 billion in terms of dealing with asthma. Now that we know that cockroaches have a lot to do with it, we will be able to save some money. So I am hoping that my colleagues will join me in supporting this amendment because this is a money-saving amendment that also makes it possible to improve the quality of life for so many people. I urge the adoption of this amendment because it saves money and it also protects lives and improves the quality of health.

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Chairman. I rise today to express my deep concern about the future of families living in America's public housing developments. H.R. 2, the Housing Opportunity and Responsibility Act, represents a dramatic restructuring of public housing that will have consequences, perhaps unintended and detrimental to the millions of Americans the programs were intended to serve. I am especially concerned because this bill includes a section which would repeal the income-based rent cap of 30 percent in public housing, otherwise known as the Brooke Amendment. In the borough of Brooklyn, which includes the 10th Congressional District which I represent, there are at least 33,485 public housing units--the second largest in New York City, and one of the largest in the Nation. A repeal of this rent cap, which has assisted families for decades, would lead to rent increases for numerous public housing residents and to further segregation for the poor. At a time when our Nation is facing an affordable housing crisis in which 5.3 million people are living under the worst housing conditions--paying more than 50 percent of their income in rent or living under substandard or deplorable conditions, this amounts to an outright abandonment of our commitment to adequate housing for poor and working class citizens. Reform can be positive or negative. While I agree with my colleagues that our public housing system is in great need of comprehensive reform, I believe it is essential in any reform of public housing that we keep income-based rent at a 30 percent cap. Eliminating these provisions will exacerbate this affordable housing crisis by either forcing families into homelessness or causing them to forego basic human necessities such as clothing, food, and health care. About two- thirds of the families who would be affected by this provision would be families with children, including elderly grandparents raising their grandchildren. I also believe that in this time of fiscal restraint, Federal housing dollars should be targeted to those with the greatest need. According to HUD's study released in March 1996, Rental Housing Units at the Crossroads, 70 percent of the families below 30 percent of the area's median income have severe housing needs. Congress should pass a comprehensive housing reform bill that is responsive to Americans who are in need of housing assistance. I remain hopeful that the full House of Representatives will make further improvements to this bill. The long history of public housing has many successes to its credit, and the lifting of current 30 percent rent cap will ultimately do more harm than good. I urge the adoption of the Frank amendment which would maintain a 30 percent rent cap.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to highlight the grand opening and dedication of the Bishop B. Hucles Nursing Home in Brooklyn on May 8, 1997. The nursing home will be part of Episcopal Health Services, Inc. [EHS]. EHS is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a continuum of quality health care services through hospitals, long-term facilities, and primary care centers from inner-city Brooklyn and Queens to Suffolk and Nassau Counties. For almost 150 years, the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island has overseen EHS as it set the standard for communhity based care in the region. Today, EHS is one of the 10 largest healthcare organizations in New York State. The Bishop Henry B. Hucles Nursing Home is located only a few blocks east of the Homes for the Aged and Blind, and will continue the tradition of community service and individualized care by providing a new home for all of the current residents of Homes for the Aged and Blind. This new facility will provide state-of-the-art care for even more residents while reaching out to others in the community through day care activities and special programs. The Hucles Nursing Home will be able to accommodate 240 residents, will provide around the clock nursing care, serve as an adult day care center, provide pastoral care, and an array of other services. I am delighted that the Bishop Henry B. Hucles Nursing Home will be available to service patients sorely in need of care. I commend Episcopal Health Services for its vision and execution in developing this outstanding service center.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today, it gives me great pleasure to participate in the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the founding of Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims which will begin this weekend, May 2 to 4, 1997. Known as the ``Grand Central Depot'' of the Underground Railroad, the Plymouth Church was founded in 1847. Rev. Henry Ward Beecher was the first minister of the historic Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims and was considered to have been America's foremost clergyman of the 19th century. Beecher understood the value of using the church as an instrument for social reform and he took his influence beyond the pulpit and built Plymouth Church into a national institution. As in 1849, major political and social issues were challenged, especially equal rights for all America. Plymouth Church is in fact famous for having bought the freedom of a young slave girl, ``Pinky,'' who once freed, became highly educated and returned to the church as an adult to thank them for her freedom. In keeping with the long tradition of the church, Plymouth continues to provide a wide array of services to the needy and less fortunate. The landmark 1849 church building, which was designed to seat 2,050, was built to accommodate the overflow crowds who came to hear Beecher's legendary sermons. Other noted leaders who spoke from the pulpit include, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mark Twain. It is the only church ever visited by President Abraham Lincoln in New York City. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me and our colleagues in recognizing the historic contributions of the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims for the last 150 years.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am immensely pleased to acknowledge the retirement of Virginia Bynum and to introduce her to my House colleagues. Like me, Ms. Bynum graduated from North Carolina A&T State University and received her M.S. in Education from New York University. Ms. Bynum's career was a reflection of her commitment to her community and to providing educational opportunities to those who desired it. Her first job was with the Macedonia High School in Blackville, SC, where she taught courses in business education. For more than 30 years, Ms. Bynum has taught business education for the Jersey City, NJ school system and has been the Dean of Students for 21 years. Building upon her career successes, Ms. Bynum is a member of numerous professional organizations and the recipient of a wide array of community service awards. Always yearning to assist others, Ms. Bynum has served as a special assistant for the 10th Congressional District and is New York liaison for North Carolina A&T. This month, she will retire as cochairperson of the Cornerstone Day Care Center. I am honored to recognize her numerous and noteworthy achievements.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Hall] and the Committee on Science. I know that they have made a special effort to move this bill as an early priority. Since the authorization expires at the end of 1997, the program will terminate after 4 years instead of the 5-year period originally envisioned. The need for the extension is plain and very clear. It will ensure that the original program's objectives set by Congress are met and enhance the credibility of the RAPID final report regarding potential human health aspects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields. During consideration of H.R. 363, the Committee on Commerce received testimony from industry stakeholders who all agreed that a 1-year extension was necessary to complete the risk assessment through an open, public workshop approach that was originally planned by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences. Upon completion of the 5-year study, a final report to Congress on the electromagnetic field effects, if any, on human health will be submitted. The report will allow the Federal Government to confidently speak to the American people with one voice on this very important issue. Anything less than a 1-year extension would render the study incomplete and jeopardize the credibility developed over the last 4 years with EMF issue stakeholders and the public as well. The RAPID Program has been very successful to date. In addition to the research initiated, the program has distributed 180,000 copies of questions and answers about electric and magnetic fields associated with the use of electric power to the public. Additionally, RAPID has published EMF in the work force and EMF InfoLine, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency and funded by the RAPID Program. It has also responded to the thousands of calls from the general public. The program conducts research jointly with the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and is funded equally by the annual appropriations and matching contributions from the electric utilities, electrical equipment manufacturers, and realtors. This 1-year extension has the support of the administration, Congress and the industry stakeholders such as the Edison Electric Institute, the American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Mr. Speaker, I would like to again thank all of the participants in making this possible. I would like to thank the subcommittee chairman, and of course the ranking member as well, and all of the staff that worked very hard to move this legislation very quickly.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as we approach a new millennium we cannot forget the launching of the April 24, 1915 pogrom of some 200 Armenian religious, political and intellectual leaders from Constantinople [Istanbul]. For 8 years, 1.5 million Armenians suffered grave repudiation by the government of the ``Young Turk Committee.'' This unfortunate history must be memorialized and remembered such that the world can understand that this tragedy represents the first example of genocide in the 20th century. This observation is not made lightly; but the facts about the destruction of the Armenian people cannot be ignored. As Armenians and people of conscience throughout the world commemorate April 24, we must accurately depict history to ensure that it is never repeated. Continuing to deny the truth about an important part of world history creates the view that it was just an ``unfortunate incident'' and nothing else. This inaccuracy can be nothing further from the truth and allows for similar atrocities to occur. Mr. Chairman, on this day I urge all of my colleagues to remember the horrible events that occurred in the early part of this century. May they never be repeated again.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, 55 years ago, James Farmer had the tenacity and passion to organize and lead the first sit-in at the Jack Spratt Coffee Shop in Chicago, IL. This director of the Congress of Racial Equality [CORE] during the height of the civil rights movement is still around to tell what it was like at the helm. Farmer's determination grew from an early incident. At the age of 3\1/2\, he learned about racism for the first time when he was denied a Coca-Cola because of the color of his skin in Holly Springs, MS. From that day forward, he was burdened with a desire to bring about racial harmony and equality. James Farmer is the last of the ``Big Four'' civil rights movement leaders. The other three coleaders of the civil rights movement of the 1960's are not around to tell their stories and give their historical perspective on America. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Roy Wilkins of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Whitney Young of the Urban League are now deceased. However, James Farmer is still with us. Referred to as a ``young Negro aristocrat'', Farmer was born in Texas, where his father was the first black person to earn a Ph.D. degree. Today, he is 77 years old, blind and he has lost the use of both legs. As we approach a new millennium, Americans and the world are still trying to bring about racial justice and understanding; a philosophy Farmer espoused when he began training an interracial group of 13 young people in the nonviolent techniques of Gandhi. To ensure that this history is never lost, it is fitting that Mr. James Farmer be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his meritorious contributions to our society.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to rise and pay tribute to a great man who not only contributed to the sport of baseball, but one who contributed to all of humanity. In both instances, the late great Jackie Robinson prevailed and taught the world an important lesson; if given the opportunity any man can excel to the greatest heights. Jackie Robinson was many things to many people. As father, husband, writer, political activist, military man, and of course, baseball player; Jackie did it all with ease, dignity, and respect. Jackie not only challenged the gentleman's agreement of segregated baseball, but he also won a court-martial case for refusing to sit in the colored section of an army bus when he was transferred to Camp Breckenridge in Kentucky where he later received an honorary discharge. The love of his country kept Jackie determined to be the best that he could be. In 1947, he signed for $5,000 to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team where he led the National League with 20 stolen bases. As we celebrate this great man, I personally had the opportunity to witness the unveiling of a roadside sign renaming the Interborough Parkway in my congressional district, the Jackie Robinson Parkway in honor of the 50th anniversary of his first major league game. This tribute is well deserved for a man who in his 10 years with the Brooklyn Dodgers helped them to win six pennants, to finish second three times, and to never finish worse than third. Jackie Robinson rests at the Cypress Hill National Cemetery, in the 10th Congressional District in New York; we will continue to celebrate his life by breaking racial barriers and settling our own records of achievement.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to say happy 298th birthday to the Sikh Nation. April 13 is Vaisakhi Day, the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa Panth. On this auspicious occasion, I would like to salute the Sikh Nation on their dedication to hard work, family, faith, and freedom. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion which believes in the equality of all people, including gender equality. The Sikhs currently live under a repressive occupation by India. We have discussed some of the details of this tyranny many times. Let me just take this opportunity to express my solidarity with the Sikh Nation in its peaceful struggle to throw off oppression. Like the United States 200 years ago, the Sikh Nation will ultimately triumph because the cause of freedom is always the right cause. The Council of Khalistan has recently issued a flyer for Vaisakhi Day. It contains more detailed information about the Sikh struggle. I would like to insert it into the Record at this time, and I recommend to all my colleagues that they read it. Happy 298th Birthday Khalsa Panth We are gathered to celebrate the 298th birth anniversary of the Khalsa Panth, or Sikh nation. On this day in 1699, the tenth and last living Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji stood atop a hill in Anandpur Sahib in Khalistan and asked the Sikhs gathered if anyone would be willing to give their life for their Guru. Five times Guru Gobind Singh Singh Ji asked and five times a different volunteer would offer their head. Guru Ji would escort the volunteer to his tent and re- emerge with bloody sword in hand. After Guru Gobind Singh Ji asked for the fifth volunteer and escorted him into the tent, Guru Ji came back out of the tent along with all five volunteers who were clad in resplendent robes, perfectly healthy and unscathed. Guru Ji told the congregation that these five Sikhs selflessly offered their lives for their faith, and in so doing, they are to be called the Panj Piaras--the five beloved ones. Afterwards, Guru Gobind Singh Ji prepared Amrit by placing sugar in a steel bowl stirred with a double edged sword and reciting prayers from Sikh scripture. Guru Ji then administered the Amrit to the Panj Piaras. Afterwards, Guru Ji asked the Panj Piara to baptize him. Following Guru Ji's baptism, tens of thousands of Sikhs who were gathered at Anandpur Sahib, also became baptized. Through this act of baptism, Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the modern Sikh nation--the Khalsa Panth. By baptizing himself, Guru Ji had taken the first step of transferring the Guruship to the Khalsa Panth. Nine years later, in 1708, Guru Gobind Singh Ji would proclaim an end to the era of living, human Gurus. He declared that the Sikh holy book, the Adi Granth--containing the writings, hymns and poetry of the previous nine Gurus--would permanently receive the Guruship. On this day, we celebrate the fact that Guru Gobind Singh Ji vested the Khalsa Panth with our modern identity which has imbued us with a strong ethical and martial tradition and ensured our survival and the integrity of our homeland for almost 3 centuries. This identity includes unshorn hair; the turban to keep the head covered as a sign of respect to God, and, the carrying of a kirpan--a weapon representing personal defense and readiness to protect the defenseless from injustice, exploitation and cruelty. Sikhism is a religion anchored in service to God through service to humanity. We end our daily prayer with the words ``Sarbat Da Bhalla'', a prayer for the well being of all humanity. Sikhs reject idol worship, Sikhs reject all forms of caste and social hierarchy, and Sikhs believe in full gender equality and reject religious priesthood or any other intermediaries between God and humanity. celebrating survival in the face of genocide, freedom in the face of imperialism Due in part to romanticized visions of India, fostered by movies like ``Gandhi'' (almost 40 percent of the film's budget came from the Indian Government and they retained editorial control), India continues to enjoy an international reputation as the ``world's largest democracy.'' However, for outcaste Hindus and non-Hindu peoples and nations, India is not a democracy, but a totalitarian state far more ruthless than its British predecessors. Since 1988, Indian police and security forces have killed 43,000 Kashmiris. Indian government forces have murdered over 200,000 Christians since 1947. Tens of thousands of Assamese and tribal peoples have also been murdered by the Indian State. In addition, the aboriginal people of South Asia, the Dalits, whose indigenous roots and black skin color has relegated them to the status of outcaste untouchables in Indian society, are subjected daily to subhuman treatment which has not changed for millennia. Unlike ``Gandhi'' the movie, Mohandas Gandhi did not represent India's untouchables but instead represented the Oxford-educated Brahmins of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi, who fervently believed in the Hindu caste system, went on a hunger strike when Daht untouchable leader Dr. Ambekdar demanded full and equal civil and political rights for Dalits. When Congress Party members threatened Dr. Ambekdar that they would start mob riots that would target Dalit communities throughout South Asia, he relented in his demands. The Sikh homeland Punjab, Khalistan (from the Arabic root ``sovereign country of the Sikhs'') face similar threats in India. The attack on the Sikh's holiest shrine the Golden Temple, on June 4, 1984, was the beginning of a bloody and calculated attack to destroy the Sikhs politically, culturally and morally. Baptized Sikhs, Amritdhari Sikhs, were reclassified as terrorists as revealed in an excerpt of `Batchit' [Military Order] Circular No. 153, which contain the official Indian military orders issued for July of 1984. ``Any knowledge of the Amritdharis [baptized Sikhs] who are dangerous people and pledge to commit murders, arson and acts of terrorism should immediately be brought to the notice of the authorities. These people may appear harmless from the outside but they are basically committed to terrorism. In the interest of all of us, their identity and whereabouts must always be disclosed.'' With this military order, and the Draconian laws that followed, the Sikhs have faced its darkest period in 300 years. According to the Punjab State Magistracy, the group representing all of the local court judges in the Punjab. Indian police murdered over 200,000 Sikhs from 1984 to 1992. According to Punjab/Haryana High Court Justice Ajit Singh Bains of the Punjab Human Rights Organization (PHRO), over 50,000 Sikhs have been killed since then. It is not surprising, therefore, that international human rights groups like Amnesty International have not been allowed in Khalistan for almost 20 years. even as the Sikh genocide continues, so does the freedom struggle A quarter million Sikhs murdered since 1984 has not deterred the Sikh nation from our commitment to establish an independent and democratic Khalistan. Unlike what is reported by the Indian government and its media outlets, the Sikh struggle to re-establish our homeland as an independent state is not a violent one. We are committed to the Sikh tradition of peaceful, nonviolent civil and political disobedience called Shantmai Morcha, or peaceful agitation. The Sikh Nation of Punjab was the last South Asian country to fall to British imperialism in 1849. The Sikhs ruled Punjab for almost a century before the British conquest. A century later, Sikh national sovereignty was expressly recognized by both the British and Indian leaders. Nehru assured the Sikhs that they would enjoy the ``glow of freedom'' in the Sikh homeland. Mohandas Gandhi told the Sikhs that if the Congress should ever betray them ``. . . the Congress would not only thereby seal its own doom, but that of the country too. Moreover, the Sikhs are a brave people. They know how to safeguard their rights by the exercise of arms, if it ever comes to that.'' In the intervening 50 years of Indian government rule, Sikhs have faced its darkest period in history. Even toddlers who have been baptized into Sikhism are not spared. Last December the Chandigarh court found that the police had murdered 3 year old Arvinder Singh, along with his father and his uncle, and labeled them as terrorists. Under Indian law, police can kill Sikhs, identify them as terrorists and receive cash rewards for the killing. In 1994, the U.S. State Department estimated that 41,000 cash bounties were issued between 1991 and 1993. Throughout this horrible period, we Sikhs have never surrendered our right to national sovereignty, and we have never surrendered our rightful claim to a pluralistic democracy in an independent Khalistan. The Indian government genocide campaign, a campaign in which all baptized Sikhs are considered terrorists, is just the latest form of oppression set upon the Sikh nation; and is part of a larger pattern of Indian government imperialism over numerous nations and peoples in South Asia. U.S. responds to Indian oppression of the Sikhs In response to the continued subjugation of the Sikhs in Khalistan, Congress has just introduced legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 37 (H. Con. Res. 37), which recognizes and supports the Sikh nation's right to national self- determination. The bipartisan resolution, co-sponsored by Gary Condit (D-CA) and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA), urges the implementation of an internationally sponsored plebiscite so that Sikhs themselves could decide, by free and fair vote, whether or not they want to remain with India. If India is the democracy that it claims, then it should allow the people of Khalistan to decide for themselves whether or not they want to be a part of India, just as the U.S. has done with respect to Puerto Rico and Canada has done with respect to Quebec. Please join us in celebrating this auspicious holiday of the Sikh Nation, it is a time of feasting and festivity. But please also remember that there are millions of Sikhs in our homeland Khalistan who do not have much to celebrate. And think about them the next time you read something about the ``world's largest democracy'' and call your Member of Congress and ask them to co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 37--because everyone deserves the kind of freedom that we enjoy in the

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight a monumental achievement accomplished by one of America's premier deliverers of mail and packages, the United Parcel Service [UPS]. As part of a national mandate, UPS has become the first major North American airline to fully comply with stage 3 aircraft noise reduction regulations, 3 years before the federally mandated deadline. Indeed, this ambitious and expensive initiative undertaken by UPS speaks volumes about the company's commitment to promoting quieter and more efficient transport of parcels. Today, all 197 jets in the UPS fleet will comply with the stage 3 noise-reduction rule. The number of residents in noise-impacted areas will be reduced by 80 percent. Clearly, UPS has set a standard that other airlines should strive to emulate. Using current technology, UPS planes will now utilize 18 percent less fuel. Additionally, instead of a 22-square-mile area being affected by noise, the area will now be 6.5 miles. 1997 marks the 50-year anniversary of the historic flight in which Capt. Chuck Yeager exceeded the speed of sound. UPS has now broken a new sound barrier that will provide long-term benefits for the environment, the airline industry, and citizens. Other airlines should follow the lead of UPS and achieve early compliance with stage 3 aircraft noise reduction regulations.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, there is no nobler calling than service to the Lord. In Brooklyn I am fortunate to have an organization, Church Women United, which has dedicated itself to spiritual and community service. Church Women United is part of a national organization of Christian women who come together to create a viable community and serve as witnesses to their abiding faith. This year marks the 14th celebration of holding their annual Good Friday service, which includes ``The Seven Last Words of Christ.'' The last words are delivered by seven messengers, all female. This is a unique event in which the Borough of Brooklyn takes great pride. The group is led by Ophelia Perry who provides spiritual guidance. Church Women United provides a host of good deeds which include hospital visitation, prison ministry, summer camp scholarship, working in a women's shelter, and providing services to HIV parents. Ms. Perry is the 19th president of this organization which has over 600 members. I am proud to highlight the immense contributions of this wonderful organization.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Rev. John Lester Pratt, Sr., pastor of Zion Shiloh Baptist Church. Reverend Pratt was born in Fredericksburg, VA, and attended Storer College in Harpers Ferry, WV. As an undergraduate he majored in education. He graduated from Manhattan Bible Institute and American Divinity School of Religion; earning undergraduate and masters degrees in theology. In 1977 he was elected pastor of Zion Shiloh Baptist Church. He abides by the philosophy of, ``I accept the challenge.'' Currently he is serving as secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Pastor Pratt has served as past moderator of New York Missionary Baptist Association, been a member of Cumberland Community Board and served as a member of the board of Hampton Ministers Conference. The reverend is married to Mrs. Gertrude Pratt, and they are the proud parents of two sons, Leo, John, Jr., grandson, Leo Sterling Pratt, and have a wonderful daughter-in-law, Michelle. It is my pleasure to introduce Rev. Lester Pratt, Sr., to my House colleagues.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Bushwick Geographic Targeting Task Force [BGTTF] as a 1996 exemplary substance abuse prevention program. BGTTF, 1 of 20 organizations selected by the Department of Health and Human Services, addresses the needs of Hispanic-Latino youth and young adults in North Brooklyn where a high rate of HIV/AIDS, violence, and substance abuse exists. Through courses and workshops in leadership skills, media literacy, and substance abuse prevention, the multifaceted needs of our youth are addressed. Moreover, BGTTF's Partners in Health Coalition is a logical step in comprehensive community planning and program implementation for these services throughout the Brooklyn community. As a Member of Congress, I have vigorously advocated for substance abuse prevention services targeting our at-risk youth. Thus, I commend this organization's tireless efforts to combat the rising incidence of drug usage. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in saluting the Bushwick Geographic Targeting Task Force for their outstanding contributions to the youth of Brooklyn.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of my good friend, Bob Jeffries. Born in Birmingham, AL, the grandson of slaves, in 1907, Bob learned to cook at an early age, using as he said, from food products grown on the farm. During his career, he worked as a musician, a chef in Harlem nightclubs, and in restaurants around the New York area. During the late 70's he cooked for a Member of Congress, and fed most of the Washington community. Now retired, and living at a Brooklyn Heights senior citizen residence operated by the Brooklyn Catholic Charities, Bob continues to cook for his many friends throughout the city. He is active and busy every day, visiting friends in need, continuing to enjoy the city and sharing his good humor and kindness with his large extended family. His 90th birthday was celebrated by 80 members of his ``family'' at the home of Rita and Allen Schwartz in Brooklyn Heights. Bob insisted on cooking for the family and we were all thankful the good food and fellowship. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr. Bob Jeffries a warm and heartfelt 90th birthday.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to highlight the contributions of Julia James, the sixth of nine children born to Reverend and Mrs. Henry R. James, who encouraged her to be independent and courageous. In her life, Julia has chosen a professional path in the field of accounting, and is a Certified Public Accountant [CPA] in the State of New York. She earned an M.B.A. from New York University and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Management Accountants. Mrs. James has established an accounting practice that provides accounting expertise to local businesses and community organizations. A dedicated community worker, Julia serves as a member of Community School Board District No. 18, which represents the East Flatbush and Canarsie areas of Brooklyn. She is also the chairperson of the East Brooklyn Community Organization which is a community based organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of residents in East Flatbush. I am pleased to recognize her personal achievements and community involvement.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to introduce my House colleague to Monique Alita Greenwood, a superb editor and entrepreneur in my congressional district. Monique was the first editor-in-chief and publisher of color at Fairchild Publications, where she conceived Children's Business, a monthly trade magazine. Her direct efforts greatly helped to open the doors of the modeling industry to children of color. Since February 1996, she has served as the editorial style director of Essence magazine. During her tenure she has revamped the fashion pages, giving them more impact and making them more serviceable to Essence readers. Monique is the owner of Akwaaba, a bed and breakfast mansion in Bedford-Stuyvesant. Her Afrocentric business opened in 1995, and it has been the subject of considerable press coverage. A devoted mother and wife, Monique is a pillar of the community. She is married to Glen Pogue and they have a 5-year-old son, Glynn. Despite her hectic schedule, Monique is active in local organizations and is the cofounder and national president of a literary society of African- American women. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Howard University, and is a former recipient of a Points of Light Award from former President Bush.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Pastor Robert Lee Adams Reaves, born on December 29, 1964, in Bennettsville, SC. He received his calling to the ministry at the age of 14. For 18 years, he has been preaching and teaching the word of God. Prior to God's assigning Pastor Reaves to the Cedar Church, he served as pastor of the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Bennettsville, SC. In 1993, the Holy Spirit directed him to the Elim International Fellowship where he submitted to the leadership and tutelage of Archbishop Wilbert S. McKinley, and served as associate pastor. Pastor Reaves is a graduate of Morris College, with a degree in sociology, which he received in 1987. He also received pastoral counseling training. While at Elim, he attended the Elim Institute. Reverend Reaves is the father of one son, Robert, Jr. He is also blessed with a lovely wife, Lady Sheryl Reaves. The Reverend is a visionary who is continuously developing; he is not a traditional leader. His message through preaching and teaching the word of God, challenges the old traditions, and ushers the church into both the presence of, and the order of God. As a man of faith, Reverend Reaves is giving birth to a vision whose time has come. I am pleased to introduce my House colleagues to a truly inspirational spiritual leader.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge Lisa Falcone, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. who has been dedicated to public service. Presently, Lisa works for New York State Senator John Sampson, and serves as his district director. Formerly, she was employed in my office and that of former Congressman Stephen Solarz. Lisa distinguished herself as a student at Queens College where she received a bachelor of arts degree in English. A life-long resident of Carnarsie, she has been dedicated to public and community service. As a devoted mother, wife, and daughter, I am happy to acknowledge Lisa Falcone for her tireless efforts as a public servant.

Mr. TOWNS

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed my honor and pleasure to introduce to my colleagues, the Reverend Bonnie M. Epps. She is a wonderful example of living faith in action. Reverend Epps is a native of Brooklyn, NY, and presently serves on the ministerial staff of the Bridge Street African Methodist Episcopal Church. The reverend was educated in parochial and public schools in Brooklyn. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College of New York, with a concentration in elementary education. Her master's degree was obtained in supervision and administration from Bankstreet College, and she has attended the Principal's Center at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Reverend Epps is an innovator and motivator. She served as the assistant principal at the Philippa Schuyler Intermediate School for the gifted and talented. Her vision and instructional leadership is responsible for raising academic standards, self-esteem among the students, and prestige for the only talented and gifted program in my congressional district. Another shining achievement for Reverend Epps is the success of her son Omar, an actor who has appeared on NBC's ``ER'', and has starred in HBO's ``Deadly Voyage,'' and feature films such as ``Higher Learning,'' ``Juice,'' ``Mayor League II,'' and ``The Program.'' I salute Reverend Epps for her service to God and the community.