Although the outside world has remained silent several of our friends who truly believe in hue man equality human decency individual liberty and freedom and Pursuit for happiness have strongly condemned the Inhuman acts of the Indian Government against the Sikhs and other religious minorities and they are taking appropriate actions 16 hold the Indian Government accountable for its oppression against its religious minorities One of these individuals and a great humanitarian is honor able Congressman Vio Fazio. He is a very caring concerned and committed person.

Immediately after the June 1984 army attack on the Sikh shrines Congressman Vie Fazio and former Congressman Norm Shumway were the first members OF the US. Congress to publicly condemn the Indian Army attack On Punjab and Sikh shrines. On their advice and directions WSO lobbied and achieved the support of other members of the U.S Congress.

In 1992 Congressman Dan Burton introduced a bill in the House against human rights violations in the Punjab. The bill had very limited support in the House and its passage was very questionable Congressman Vic Fazio considered this a setback to the Sikh cause which he had been supporting wholeheartedly. When the bill came for vote on the House floor congressmen Vie Fazio and Walley Herger stood in the House chamber door and appealed to their colleagues to vote for the bill.

Without their support this bill would have never cleared the Houses.

In June 1993 Congressman Vie Fazio introduced an amendment to the foreign aid bill to our military aid to India. While the House defeated Congressman Dan Burtons bill Congressman Vic Fazios amendment was adopted by voice vote

Most recently Congressman Vic Fazio wrote a personal letter to President Bill Clinton regarding human rights violations in the Punjab. Similar concerns were expressed in a separate letter written by Honorable Congressman Gary Condit which was also signed by 23 other Congressmen.

President Clinton responded very favorably to these letters.

Congressman Vic Fazios relationship with the Sikh community dates back to his initial bid for the California State Assembly. During the past quarter century he has Served the Sikh community with care compassion dedication and integrity. It is a great pride and honor for the Sikh community of California that they are being represented by a caring honest and dedicated representative

Unfortunately Gurmeet Singh Aulakh of ISO has made some false accusations against Congressman Vic Fazio Those accusations are based on Mr.Aulakhs party affiliation with the Republican party for which he heavily campaigned during the last election It is also Aulakhs desire to use Congressman Vic Fazios name for personal gain which Congressman Vic Fazio does not allow. These politically motivated false accusations may be serving Aulakhs personal interest but they are very damaging to the Sikh cause and are causing our honest and honorable legislators to re think their position about the Sikh cause

Brothers and sisters it is time to Mand with truth and reject our exploitation for personal political and financial gains by Mr Aulakhy It is the Sikh tradition to humbly and peacefully acknowledge honest support. We urge you to write thank you letter to Congressman Vie Fazio to show him: Our appreciation for his support to our cause Contributed by: Gurcharan Singh Dhillon President WSO

Article extracted from this publication >> March 4, 1994