OAKDALE (LOUSIANAUSA): Oakdale where Dr.Gurpartap Singh Birk is being held for deportation is a very small town in between New Orleans and Houston. On August 171991 (from 12:30 10 3:30 PM); the Sikh Community of Houston New Orleans Shreveport and New York had arranged a Sikh Prayer meeting for Dr.Birk. S. Amrik Singh represented the Sikh Community of New York.

There was an overwhelming response for the attendance of this prayer meeting. Rev.Kenneth Loggings of FC] Oakdale church service was kind enough to accommodate 13 Sikhs from outside for this prayer. Including Dr.Birk there were to Sikhs and Muslims inmates who enjoyed the prayer. From Houston S.Amar Singh S. Dva Singh and S. Ajit Singh Biring did the Shabad Kiran (prayer) for 2 hours. During the prayer Guru Granth Sahib was there with a proper Sikh Respect. The prison authority was very cooperative in this matter

During the prayer S .Dya Singh told the gathering that the Sikhs never hurt any innocent person. No doubt the Sikhs are always fighting against the oppression from the ruthless people such as Mir Manu Lakh Pat and Gobind Ram of Batala during the recent Sikh Struggle.

While preaching to the inmates S Dya Singh said that it is not in the power of individuals to enter or leave the prison according to his wish. He said only God decides for all of us what is good for us.

After the prayer Dr.Birk thanked the Sikh Community for this prayer arrangement. He said he has seen Guru Granth Sahib after more than 6 years and telt good to do so. Dr.Birk quoted from the prayer that it ws God’s order that he (Dr.Birk) entered into this situation. He further said that it was the desire of the Sikh Community of fight my deportation case and said that he would volunteer for this cause as much as it may need

Finally S.Amolak Singh Gen. Secretary of Sikh Society of South New Orleans thanked everybody for their cooperation and prayed for the release of all the inmates present at the meeting.

Dr. Birk received many recommendation letters from the Lewisburg Prison Authority. For the information of our readers one typical letter (out of 6 letters) is being printed below

Memo to: Unit Team San/E

Memo From: R.H.Eister (Computer Specialist)

Memo thru: P.Sibal (MPDC Manager)

Subject: Special Achievement Award Inmate G.S.Birk #21961-053

Date: April 51990

Inmate Birk (#21961-053) has done an outstanding job in the area of Computer Systems training and installation for Unicor ever since he has joined this section. He has been one of the main ingredients in the successful installation and testing of the new Telex Memorex systems. Through his knowledge concern and computer background he assisted in solving problems and finding solutions to implement the new systems. Inmate Birk seeks and accepts responsibilities. He needs little supervision within his department and has displayed an attitude of dedication to his job and to the overall success of Unicor operation.

He played an essential role in assisting me with the installation and operation of the Apecs Memorex Controller its installation and operation of the Apecs Memorex Controller its terminals and printers. Every aspect of the project was performed in a professional timely

Manner. While performing the job he also took up responsibility to train two other inmates By doing this job in house Unicor has saved several thousand dollars. Some aspects of this job were totally; new to Unicor. Inmate Birk’s past experience should be appreciated for the cost savings he has provided.

Inmate Birk has consistently displayed outstanding ability to perform tasks which were not within the realms of Unicor. He goes well beyond his job assignment to assist in the implementation of the Standard Industry System (SIS). Inmate Birk’s technical knowledge of computers their designs and operations has been knowledge of computers their designs and operations has been invaluable asset to the Unicor. Because of his efforts and skill our computer system has been kept operational and error free; which when calculated saves a considerable amount of time and money and better utilization of personal and equipment..

He has kept the computers operational in the most adverse conditions specially when lam not here for weeks at times. he is always on hand to explain train and assist staff members that are relieving me. When computer equipment such as terminals or printers fails he is the only qualified person on hand who can diagnose the problem and if possible fix it without his dedication Unicor would have lost many months of production time especially if the faulty equipment were to be sent out for maintenance every time it failed.

His organizational skills are exemplary He provides the continuity needed to keep the communications and documentation flowing smoothly. He offers suggestions on how to make the operations more efficient and has then implemented those suggestions when approved and where it is appropriate for him to do so

His cooperation with new staff assigned to this area such as Mr.P Weidensaul has speeded up the training process. He is a valuable information and technical resource that can always be depended on to see a project through to its completion even if overtime is required to meet a deadline.

Through my many years of supervising inmates inmate Birk is by far the most conscientious and dedicated inmate i have worked with. i feel this inmate has shown total professionalism to his job. He has consistently performed above and beyond normal job responsibilities. I believe in utilizing the full range of management tools available to me. I punish as necessary and reward those who perform in an outstanding manner Inmate Birk is a unique example of the latter. In light of this I wish to recognize him and reward him to provide others with an example. Therefore I recommend that he be awarded a special achievement award for the job well done and all the extra services he provided to the Unicor. This special achievement award could be to credit or reinstate the extra good time he would have earned were he to work for industry from the day of his arrest or some comparable form of reward that only you the Unit Team can bestow. He has over the 3 previous years been fully recognized by Unicor and now I look to you for the further assistance and cooperation.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 23, 1991