Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and honor the work and accomplishments of the Modell family. The Modell family migrated from Russia in the 1870s settling on the Lower East Side of New York City. They soon began peddling clothing, jewelry, and other odds and ends from a pushcart.

George Modell opened a store at 79 Cortland Street in 1893. The business moved to Nassau Street during the 1930s when George's son Louis joined and established their pawnbroking business. Louis successfully expanded and assumed leadership of the company during World War II. In 1956, Gerald, Louis' eldest son had completed his studies at Columbia University and was commissioned into the army as an officer. In 1959, he joined the Modell Jewelry & Pawnbroker business.

Gerald Modell opened a second location in 1960 on West 47th Street, in the heart of the ``Diamond District,'' where Modell began to extend financing to the diamond and jewelry industry. In 1965, Gerald expanded by starting a diamond importing company operating in Antwerp, Tel Aviv, and Bombay.

Gerald Modell's son Eric graduated from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce in 1997. After a 3-year career as a management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Eric joined the family business in 2000. Today Eric is the executive vice president and is committed to expanding the business even further.

Gerald Modell has been associated with the creation and operation of many charitable and philanthropic causes, mostly in the medical field. He currently serves on an Advisory Board at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and is the founder and former vice president of the Mental Illness Foundation.

Today the Modells have six pawnshop locations in operation throughout New York City: the Diamond District; Gramercy Park; Spanish Harlem; Brooklyn Heights; Brownsville; and Bay Ridge. Annually, Modell makes tens of thousands of loans to the public for their short-term financing needs.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize and thank the Modell family for their nearly 115 years of service to the residents of New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Modell family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Anna Gonzalez, a resident of Brooklyn for more than 40 years. Anna is the current director of the Hope Gardens Multi-Service Center; a community center that seeks to educate and empower the people of Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Anna Gonzalez, formerly Anna Rodriguez, attended Clara Barton High School. Ms. Gonzalez worked as a nurse during her 20s until she decided to take time off to raise a family. She first became involved in community activism at Public School 86, the elementary school her children attended. She worked as a parent leader, volunteering to help improve the school and then as a leader of a successful boycott to prevent the school's rezoning by local officials.

Ms. Gonzalez's participation in the boycott was a springboard to her next position as Community Associate with the Knickerbocker-Wycoff Service Center, an organization that assists residents with their problems and concerns. Ms. Gonzalez then worked at St. Barbara's Roman Catholic Church, organizing and running youth activities and religious educational services. In 1981, she accepted a position at the P-60 Senior Center, now the Hope Gardens Multi-Service Center. Within 6 months she was promoted to director.

Ms. Gonzalez's tenure as the Director of Hope Gardens has been marked by huge growth in the number of services that are being offered as well as the number of people being served. Today, Hope Gardens is an important community resource. However, her professional responsibilities did not interfere with her community involvement. Ms. Gonzalez was elected twice, the first time as a write-in candidate, to Community School Board #32, serving as chair for 2 years. She has also served on Community Planning Board #4 for more than 20 years, serving as chair for more than 6 years.

Ms. Gonzalez has been married to Pablo Gonzalez for 46 years; is the mother of four children: George, Aida, Jose, and Ralph; and the grandmother of seven children: Christopher, Justin, Anissa, Jacob, Megan, Kelsey, and Jeremy.

Madam Speaker, I cannot say enough about Anna Gonzalez. She is extremely generous with her time and cares a lot about her community.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this awesome woman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the efforts of Shernet Neufville-Gray to positively change the health care community in the Brooklyn, New York area.

Shernet Neufville-Gray is a divorced mother of two daughters, Chloe, age 16, who is a leukemia survivor and Quimani, age 11. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Shernet is a product of a family that instilled the value and importance of education. In 1988, Shernet received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the West Indies in Mona Campus, Jamaica. In 1997, she earned her Master's degree in Public Administration from New York University.

Shernet feels that her mission in life is to provide and facilitate the delivery of service for the underserved. Her recognition of these endeavors began as early as age 19 while working as a student-teacher intern in one of the violence ridden areas of Kingston, Jamaica.

Shernet moved from Jamaica to the United States approximately 20 years ago and shifted her career focus to healthcare. Within this field she has worked at resolving dilemmas in various healthcare settings. Shernet currently serves as the Associate Director of Psychiatry's Division of Chemical Dependency for the Health and Hospitals Corporation at the Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center and its surrounding network. In this capacity, Shernet has been instrumental in developing, revising and implementing policies that serve as advocacy for persons in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. This she does while resolving patient complaints and ensuring that the facility and staff meet regulatory and stakeholders expectations regarding service. Her prior capacities as research analyst at the Brooklyn Hospital Center helped her promote the use of evidence-based practices in healthcare. There, Shernet spearheaded improvement in the hospital's patient education practice as well.

Not only has Shernet spent her entire career serving as an advocate for the underserved, but she is heavily involved in community organizations. She is a founding member of the Vander Park Glenwood Lions Club, and she is also a member of an organization of Jamaicans (JON-J) that provides services to youths, immigrants and anyone in need. Shernet is also an active member of the United Methodist Church, where she works in various fundraising capacities and volunteers in the church's soup kitchen.

Madam Speaker, I would like to once again recognize the selfless contributions that Shernet Neufville-Gray has made to the Brooklyn community.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this outstanding woman and the great things for which she stands.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Andrea R. Adams. Andrea was born on Staten Island, New York and is a product of the City's public school system. After receiving her G.E.D., she enrolled in York College in Jamaica, New York and St. Joseph's College in Brooklyn. Andrea later attended Long Island University, graduating with a Master's of Public Administration and a certificate in Health Care Administration.

Andrea has worked in the health care field for 25 years. She has held various positions, among them: Medical Secretary; Technical Specialist; Health Educator; Hospital Training Director; Community Outreach Liaison; Executive Assistant; and currently, Director of Volunteer and Auxiliary Services.

Andrea is credited with spearheading the Gateway to Health Sciences School at Queens Hospital 12 years ago. She implemented this unique learning hospital/high school collaboration to lure inner city youth to occupations in the health profession. The hospital's on-site project opened the door to her present and most rewarding task; counseling young people allowing them to see the potential of a rewarding a career in the health care field. As the hospital's Volunteer Director, she also assists second career adults referred from health career schools, and senior citizens seeking a rewarding volunteer experience.

Andrea is a member of the National Association of University Women's Saturday Tutorial Program. This program assists children in improving their reading, math, penmanship, and communications skills. Andrea is an active supporter of many of the programs at St. Matthew's Community A.M.E. Church of which she is a member. Currently, the church is preparing to open an after school program center. Upon its completion, Andrea plans to be a regular participant of the skills enhancement program. She is also a member of the New York City Board of Education's ``Speaker in the Classroom'' program. Each year, she visits day care centers, schools and colleges to share information about various and unique careers in health care.

Andrea is a member of the Women's Concerns Committee at Queens Hospital Center and participates in developing projects to advance cultural awareness among hospital staff. Her diligent work in this area earned her the Mayor's Award in 2001. She is also a rape, domestic violence advocate and an outreach educator of the health care proxy law, breast cancer awareness, and HIV/AIDS transmission.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the impressive achievements of Andrea R. Adams, who has spent her life giving so much to others. I also want to thank Ms. Adams helping the children of Brooklyn, New York.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this exceptionally kind woman.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ken Reid and Debra Madison-Reid. Ken and Debra have known each other their entire lives. They played together as children in the streets of Bushwich where Debra resided and where Ken would visit relatives who lived on the next street. While the two of them were enrolled in high school, Debra's family moved to the same block as Ken's best friend.

Ken and Debra lost contact after high school though Ken had made countless attempts to win the heart of his long-time friend. After high school, Ken enrolled at Hofstra University, pursuing a degree in Broadcast Engineering. Following graduation, he accepted a position at New York Telephone Company, now Verizon. The very first day he reported for work, he opened the door and saw Debra and they were once again connected. They were married in Brooklyn, New York on October 18, 1982.

Years later, Debra and Ken found themselves without a tenant for the top floor of their brownstone. With no prospects in sight, they realized they had to get creative very fast. Ken has always purchased gift certificates to area spas; meanwhile, Debra was able to persuade Ken to host several of their own spa parties at places like the Presidential Suite at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Manhattan. Eventually, they would convert the top floor of their brownstone into a day spa.

The Spa Club in Bed-Stuy opened its doors December 30, 2006 and has become a place that nourishes the mind, body, and soul. Their clients include government officials, members of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, members of the New Jersey Nets organization, local church congregates and other community organizations.

There are plans in the works to expand The Spa Club throughout the entire building within the next 2 years. There are also plans to have a location in the Atlantic Yards within the next 5 years.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize both Ken Reid and Debra Madison-Reid for their contributions to our community and providing a place for us to nourish our minds, bodies and souls after a hard day.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this beautiful couple who have the type of story of which movies are created.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 3179, the Local Preparedness Acquisition Act. This is a bipartisan, good government bill that will permit state apd local governments to purchase homeland security and public safety equipment using General Services Administration contract schedules.

H.R. 3179 has the support of many state and local governments and the National Association of Counties. It will make it easier for

local officials to purchase the items they need to improve safety in their communities, while saving money at the same time.

The GSA Schedules are catalogues of more than 4 million commercial goods and services currently available to federal agencies at negotiated discount prices. Since 2002, Congress has enacted ``cooperative purchasing'' legislation that authorized state and local governments to purchase IT equipment and disaster recovery items from GSA schedules.

This bill further expands that authority to purchase items such as bomb detection equipment, perimeter security systems, and other homeland security goods and services from GSA Schedule 84.

It is important to note that this bill imposes no federal mandate and requires no new spending. Participation in the cooperative purchasing program is voluntary for both state and local governments and vendors. The analysis prepared by the Congressional Budget Office indicates that the bill has no net impact on federal spending and is the opposite of an unfunded mandate--in fact, it is a benefit to state and local governments.

This bill was developed jointly with the ranking member of the Government Management Subcommittee, Mr. Bilbray. I thank him for his contribution to this legislation.

I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 3179.

Madam Speaker, while Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, was visiting Belgium, he was informed of a very sinister plan by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the intelligence service of the Indian government. RAW is the agency behind the Golden Temple attack and also, according to the excellent and well- documented book Soft Target, the agency behind the Air India bombing, which was the largest aviation terror attack prior to September 11.

According to sources in Belgium, which is the European headquarters of RAW, RAW is planning to assassinate Sikh leaders using Sikh operatives here in the United States. This sounds very much like their strategy in the Air India attack. Apparently, they haven't been able to come up with new terror tactics in 22 years.

One of the targets is a former Jathedar of the Akal Takht, which is the highest office in the Sikh religion. The Sikh leaders who are being targeted have one thing in common: they are supporters of freedom and sovereignty for Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared its independence from India in 1987.

You might also remember, Madam Speaker, that the Washington Times reported on January 2, 2002 that India was sponsoring cross-border terrorism in the Pakistani province of Sindh.

Given this terrorist record, why are American taxpayers being asked to support such a country? Although India proclaims itself democratic, the real India is the one that plans to assassinate Sikh leaders for seeking freedom, bombs its own airplanes to create an excuse to kill its Sikh minority, sponsors cross-border terror, and carries out other such reprehensible acts. Yet many in this country are blinded by India's democratic claims.

The time has come to say no more, Madam Speaker. We must stop our aid to this regime until every citizen within its borders and those outside can live securely in freedom, comfortable that no oppression, torture, or assassination plots will be aimed at them. We must demand a free and fair vote for all the people seeking their freedom from this brutal regime. And someone should call the FBI.

Plotting to assassinate Americans and others, no matter the circumstances, is an attack on us all, Madam Speaker. I hope that all my colleagues will join me in condemning it.

I would like to place the Council of Khalistan's news release on the RAW assassination plot into the Record for the information of my colleagues.

RAW Planning To Assassinate Sikh Leaders

Washington, D.C., December 6, 2007--During his recent visit

to Belgium, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council

of Khalistan, was informed that agents of the Research and

Analysis Wing (RAW), the intelligence agency of the Indian

government, plan to assassinate prominent Sikh leaders,

including a former Jathedar of the Akal Takht. Belgium is the

European headquarters of RAW.

A very reliable Sikh source, who intervened to stop the

assassination of a prominent Sikh leader, told Dr. Aulakh

about the plot The RAW plot seeks to use Sikhs in the United

States as their operatives.

India is determined to destroy the Sikh Nation and the Sikh

religion, both inside and outside India. They are determined

to eliminate the pro-Khalistan Sikh leadership worldwide so

they can continue to carry out their violent rule over the

Sikhs and absorb the Sikh religion into Hinduism. Indian

intelligence is using every trick available to them to

achieve this goal.

According to the book Soft Target by Zuhair Kashmeri of the

Toronto Globe and Mail and Brian McAndrew of the Toronto

Star, it was RAW that was responsible for the bombing of an

Air India flight in 1985 that killed 329 people. Two Canadian

Sikhs were acquitted on charges related to the bombing by a

Canadian judge who said the evidence against them was ``not

credible.'' It was RAW that was responsible for the attack on

the Golden Temple, the seat of the Sikh religion, and 38

other Gurdwaras in June 1984, an operation that killed more

than 20,000 Sikhs.

The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since

1984, more than 300,000 Christians since 1948, over 90,000

Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of

Tamils, Assamese, Manipuris, Dalits, and others. The Indian

Supreme Court called the Indian government's murders of Sikhs

``worse than a genocide.''

Indian police arrested human-rights activist Jaswant Singh

Khalra after he exposed their policy of mass cremation of

Sikhs, in which over 50,000 Sikhs have been arrested,

tortured, and murdered, and then their bodies were declared

unidentified and secretly cremated. He was murdered in police

custody. His body was not given to his family.

The police never released the body of former Jathedar of

the Akal Takht Sardar Gurdev Singh Kaunke after SSP Swaran

Singh Ghotna murdered him. Ghotna has never been brought to

trial for Jathedar Kaunke's murder. No one has been brought

to justice for the kidnapping and murder of Jaswant Singh

Khalra.

According to a report by the Movement Against State

Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being held as political

prisoners in India without charge or trial. Some have been in

illegal custody since 1984! Tens of thousands of other

minorities are also being held as political prisoners,

according to Amnesty International. We demand the immediate

release of all these political prisoners.

History shows that multinational states such as India are

doomed to failure. Countries like Austria-Hungary, India's

longtime friend the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia,

and others prove this point. India is not one country; it is

a polyglot like those countries, thrown together for the

convenience of the British colonialists. It is doomed to

break up as they did.

``The flame of freedom burns brightly in the hearts of

Sikhs,'' said Dr. Aulakh. ``As Professor Darshan Singh, a

former Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said, `If a Sikh is not

for Khalistan, he is not a Sikh','' Dr. Aulakh noted.

``Liberating Khalistan is the only way to let the Sikh Nation

live in freedom and dignity.''

Madam Speaker, the government of Pakistan has recognized the Anand Marriage Act of 1909. This act covers Sikh marriages. I commend the Pakistani government for this show of tolerance and religious freedom.

There are only about 15,000 Sikhs in Pakistan. When is India, with its 22 million Sikhs, going to recognize the same act? It has been on the books for almost a century.

India refuses to enforce or even recognize the Anand Marriage Act. Instead, it records all Sikh marriages as Hindu marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act. This constitutes a refusal of ``secular'', ``democratic'' India to recognize Sikhism as a separate religion. Instead, they seek to subsume it under Hinduism.

The fact that Guru Nanak, who began the Sikh religion, was born Hindu no more makes Sikhism a part of Hinduism than the fact that Jesus was Jewish makes Christianity part of Judaism. The Indian government is simply trying to eliminate the Sikh religion by subverting it and forcing Sikhs into Hinduism. Where is the freedom of religion in India?

Madam Speaker, this is unacceptable! America can and must do something to protect the rights and freedoms of all people in South Asia. We can start by stopping our aid to India and our trade until such time as it learns to respect the rights of all people regardless of ethnicity, religion, or social status. And we should put this Congress on record in support of self-determination for the Sikhs of Punjab, Khalistan, the Muslims of Kashmir, the Christians of Nagaland, and all the others who seek freedom. India will not allow such free and fair votes, belying its self-proclaimed democratic principles. The essence of democracy is the right to self-determination.

Madam Speaker, I would like to insert the Council of Khalistan's press release on the Anand Marriage Act into the Record.

Pakistan Recognizes Anand Marriage Act

Washington, D.C., December 6, 2007.--The government of

Pakistan has formally recognized the Anand Marriage Act,

which governs Sikh marriages. The act was adopted in 1909.

Even though there are only about 15,000 Sikhs in Pakistan

and there are millions of Sikhs in India, India still refuses

to recognize the act. While Sikhs conduct marriages in accord

with the Anand Marriage Act, the Indian government will not

certify them under the act. Instead, they are recorded under

the Hindu Marriage Act. The Indian government is trying to

destroy the Sikh religion. Its failure to recognize the Anand

Marriage Act is one more way that it is carrying out this

effort. Sikh marriages are different from Hindu marriages.

Hindu couples circle around a fire. Sikh couples circle

around the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, four

times.

``I would like to thank the Pakistani government for its

recognition of the Anand Marriage Act, which is almost a

hundred years old,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President

of the Council of Khalistan, which leads the Sikh struggle

for freedom. ``Pakistan's action has shown a level of

tolerance that supposedly secular, supposedly democratic

India has never shown,'' he said. ``That is very telling. It

shows the true face of India,'' he said. ``There is no place

for Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, or other minorities there.''

The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since

1984, more than 300,000 Christians since 1948, over 90,000

Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of

Tamils, Assamese, Manipuris, Dalits, and others. The Indian

Supreme Court called the Indian government's murders of Sikhs

``worse than a genocide.''

Indian police arrested human-rights activist Jaswant Singh

Khalra after he exposed their policy of mass cremation of

Sikhs, in which over 50,000 Sikhs have been arrested,

tortured, and murdered, and then their bodies were declared

unidentified and secretly cremated. He was murdered in police

custody. His body was not given to his family.

The police never released the body of former Jathedar of

the Akal Takht Sardar Gurdev Singh Kaunke after SSP Swaran

Singh Ghotna murdered him. Ghotna has never been brought to

trial for the Jathedar Kaunke murder. No one has been brought

to justice for the kidnapping and murder of Jaswant Singh

Khalra.

According to a report by the Movement Against State

Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being held as political

prisoners in India without charge or trial. Some have been in

illegal custody since 1984! Tens of thousands of other

minorities are also being held as political prisoners,

according to Amnesty International. We demand the immediate

release of all these political prisoners.

History shows that multinational states such as India are

doomed to failure. Countries like Austria-Hungary, India's

longtime friend the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia,

and others prove this point. India is not one country; it is

a polyglot like those countries, thrown together for the

convenience of the British colonialists. It is doomed to

break up as they did.

``Only a sovereign, independent Khalistan will allow the

Sikhs of Punjab and the other people of the subcontinent to

live in freedom, dignity, and prosperity,'' said Dr. Aulakh.

``As Professor Darshan Singh, a former Jathedar of the Akal

Takht, said, `If a Sikh is not for Khalistan, he is not a

Sikh','' Dr. Aulakh noted. ``We must continue to press for

our God-given birthright of freedom,'' he said. ``Without

political power, religions cannot flourish and nations

perish. Let us join together and free Khalistan.''

Madam Speaker, recently, Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, made a very successful trip to Great Britain and Belgium. Belgium is the European headquarters of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's shadowy ``intelligence service.''

Dr. Aulakh spoke at three Gurdwaras and the crowds responded enthusiastically. They chanted pro-Khalistan slogans and they overwhelmingly supported the message of freedom for Khalistan, the Sikh homeland. This was a blow to the Indian occupation and oppression in Punjab, Khalistan.

Their support should be rewarded, Madam Speaker. We should go on record supporting a free and fair vote on the matter. And we should stop our aid to India until such time as they recognize basic human rights.

Madam Speaker, I would like to add the Council of Khalistan's recent release on Dr. Aulakh's European visit to the Record at this time.

Dr. Aulakh's Visit to Europe Very Successful

Washington, DC, Dec. 6.--Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President

of the Council of Khalistan, has recently returned from a

very successful trip to Europe. He traveled to Gurdwaras in

Belgium and Great Britain. He spoke at the Gurdwaras in Sint-

Truiden in Belgium and in Slough and Birmingham in the United

Kingdom. Belgium is the European headquarters of India's

Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

At every stop, slogans of ``Khalistan Zindabad'' filled the

air. Enthusiastic crowds greeted Dr. Aulakh's message of

freedom for Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that declared its

independence from India on October 7, 1987.

``I would like to thank my hosts in Europe for helping to

make the trip so successful,'' Dr. Aulakh said. The show of

support for liberating the Sikh Nation, Khalistan, from

Indian occupation shows that the flame of freedom burns

brightly in the hearts of the Sikh Nation despite India's

many years of oppression.''

India has refused to allow so much as a vote on the matter

of independence for Khalistan. It has refused to grant the

people of Kashmir the plebiscite on their status that they

were promised in 1948. It continues to kill and harass Sikhs

and other minorities.

The Indian government has murdered over 250,000 Sikhs since

1984, more than 300,000 Christians since 1948, over 90,000

Muslims in Kashmir since 1988, and tens of thousands of

Tamils, Assamese, Manipuris, Dalits, and others. The Indian

Supreme Court called the Indian government's murders of Sikhs

``worse than a genocide.''

Indian police arrested human-rights activist Jaswant Singh

Khalra after he exposed their policy of mass cremation of

Sikhs, in which over 50,000 Sikhs have been arrested,

tortured, and murdered, and then their bodies were declared

unidentified and secretly cremated. He was murdered in police

custody. His body was not given to his family.

The police never released the body of former Jathedar of

the Akal Takht Sardar Gurdev Singh Kaunke after SSP Swaran

Singh Ghotna murdered him. Ghotna has never been brought to

trial for Jathedar Kaunke's murder. No one has been brought

to justice for the kidnapping and murder of Jaswant Singh

Khalra.

According to a report by the Movement Against State

Repression (MASR), 52,268 Sikhs are being held as political

prisoners in India without charge or trial. Some have been in

illegal custody since 1984! Tens of thousands of other

minorities are also being held as political prisoners,

according to Amnesty International. We demand the immediate

release of all these political prisoners.

History shows that multinational states such as India are

doomed to failure. Countries like Austria-Hungary, India's

longtime friend the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia,

and others prove this point. India is not one country; it is

a polyglot like those countries, thrown together for the

convenience of the British colonialists. It is doomed to

break up as they did.

``The desire to reclaim the sovereignty that Guru Gobind

Singh declared for us still resides in every Sikh heart,''

said Dr. Aulakh. ``As Professor Darshan Singh, a former

Jathedar of the Akal Takht, said, `If a Sikh is not for

Khalistan, he is not a Sikh','' Dr. Aulakh noted. ``We must

continue to press for our God-given birthright of freedom,''

he said. ``Khalistan must and will be free soon.''

Madam Speaker, Sylvia's Restaurant of Harlem is known as one of this country's greatest restaurants which has a selection of mouth-watering dishes that each time will leave you wanting more. This is one of the best-known restaurants in New York and serves its patrons good southern cooking with a dash of Sylvia's secret seasoning.

Sylvia Woods worked at Johnson's Luncheonette as a waitress. Her opportunity came when the owner offered to sell her the business. She purchased the original luncheonette by borrowing $20,000 from her mother who had to mortgage her farm in Hemingway, SC.

The establishment, which consists of not only the restaurant but catering and banquet facilities, was started in July of 1962. back then the menu consisted of very simple things; pigtails, lima beans, hamhocks, and neck bones. There was only one cook on staff and they picked their food up in the trunk of a car.

In 1981, they bought an adjoining building on Lenox Avenue, renovated it and turned it into a dining room. In 1992, Sylvia's son, Van Woods, launched a line of Sylvia's Soul Food Proucts. The line consists of Sylvia's world famous all-purpose sauces, pre-seasoned vegetables, spices, syrup, cornbread, pancake mixes, and several other items that can be found on the shelves at any grocery store.

With the help of some great investors, Sylvia's was able to open its second restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia in 1997. Sylvia's of Atlanta is located right across from City Hall. Plans are in the works to open additional Sylvia's restaurants in Texas, Kansas, Illinois, California, South Carolina, and Paris, France.

This well-known restaurant attracts a clientele that ranges from harlem locals to visiting celebrities including President Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Magic Johnson.

However, Sylvia's success is not based solely on her restaurants and food product line. Recently, the family launched a line of beauty products for hair and skin. Sylvia's beauty products consist of two brands: Sylvia's Beauty and Soul Products; and African Vision Products.

Sylvia and her husband Herbert will tell you the secret of their success is love, family and hard work, love of God, love of family, love of friends, customers, and love of work.

Sylvia and Herbert met in a bean field when they were 11 and 12 years old, respectively. They attended the same school and church and have now been married for nearly 65 years.

I would like to honor Sylvia's Soul Food Restaurant where I have eaten on many occasions and where I plan to eat again.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject matter of Mr. Clyburn's Special Order.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and achievements of Myra L. Crumpe. Myra was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and is a product of the New York City public schools. After her high school graduation from Erasmus Hall High, she enrolled in Kingsborough Community College, majoring in business administration.

Myra currently works in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community at JP Morgan Chase Bank as the assistant branch manager. For the past 13 years, she has worked in the banking industry, withstanding several mergers. Her professional dedication to the local businesses has been instrumental in making Chase the No. 1 bank in the community.

Myra has always exemplified a passion for her community. She constantly seeks opportunities to help her fellow neighbors whenever needed. For more than 15 years, Myra was an active member for the Mays Designer Club, working alongside her uncle, Dr. Gerald Deas. She served as president, treasurer, and youth director for that organization whose primary goal was to raise funds to benefit the Sickle Cell Victims' organization. The money raised was donated to various families and hospitals, including Kings County Hospital Center and University Hospital of Brooklyn for the care of African-American children afflicted with the disease.

Myra wanted to do more for her community, so she joined the Stuy Park Lions Club, which is associated with the Lions Club International and Bermuda Foundation, in 1995. She has held various positions with the Lions Club, including treasurer and financial secretary, and is currently the club's president. Myra was also the district governor cabinet treasurer of District 20-K1 and is presently the chairperson for the local Habitat for Humanity.

Myra has also served on several committees and received numerous awards. Myra was recognized by Councilwoman Annette Robinson in 1999 and received the Sheroes Award as a woman who has made a difference. The East Flatbush Friends of Education presented the Booker T. Washington Award to her in 2001. Myra has also received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian services, the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, Lion of the Year Award and various certificates of appreciation.

Myra has been the loving wife of William Crumpe, Jr. for 32 years. She is a devoted mother of two daughters, Keisha and Charlene, and two grandsons, Richard, Jr., and Gurshaan.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of a caring and giving woman.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Myra L. Crumpe.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Wilma Best. Wilma McGlothin was horn in Excelsior, WV, to Sylvester McGlothin and Inez Tarvant-McGlothin.

Wilma, who was educated in the Excelsior School System, excelled in her studies and

was voted into the National Honor Society. All of her hard work paid off and she was offered a full scholarship to Bennett College. After graduating Bennett, she enrolled and graduated from City College of New York. There she maintained her scholastic achievements earning her a place on the Dean's List. Wilma became a registered nurse in 1973 and later went to work for New York Methodist Hospital where she has been employed for 34 years.

Wilma is an active member of New Canaan Baptist Church where she serves as the superintendent of vacation bible school and a Sunday school teacher. She is also a member of the C.E. Lewis Gospel Chorus, Floral Club and the Senior Usher Board. She also serves as president of the Red Circle Ministry, the building fund, and the renovation committee. Wilma has also been named an honorary member of the First Ladies Club and Gospel Chorus.

Wilma is the faithful and loving wife to the late Robert Best. Their union was blessed with one son, Robert, Jr. She is the grandmother of two: Antoine and Christian Best; and is also a great grandmother of three: Tionnah, Tion, and Tishaun Best.

Wilma loves gardening, arts and crafts, listening to music, and attending nursing seminars. She has received a Betty Crocker Award for her baking skills.

Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize the achievements of Wilma Best and her work in caring for others.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Wilma Best who demonstrates a level of altruistic dedication that makes her most worthy of our recognition today.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Albert J. Simmons, Jr., and the hard work that he has dedicated to the better development of New York City youth.

Born in Savannah, GA, and reared in New York City, Mr. Simmons is a graduate of

Brooklyn College. He resides in Forest Hills, Queens, with his wife Cheryl and daughter Alexis.

At an early age in his adult life, Mr. Simmons sensed his calling as a voice and servant to the youth, and the underprivileged of the New York City community. As a former kindergarten teacher, Mr. Simmons found immeasurable pleasure in aiding our young in developing a firm foundation for education and self-esteem. As a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Mr. Simmons was able to continue his desire to serve as a mentor and role model. As a participant in the fraternity's Adopt- a-School project, sixth-grade boys at P.S. 144 in Harlem were exposed to positive male role models, participation in commencement programs at various colleges and universities as well as tutorial programs. Mr. Simmons has also served and participated in the Melvin C. Patrick Career Day Programs.

For more than two decades, Mr. Simmons has worked in the managed care industry, affording him the opportunity to continue to work with youth organizations, various community-based organizations and being an advocate for the underserved families and individuals of New York. As regional marketing manager for Fidelis Care New York, the largest and a leading state-wide non-profit managed care organization; Mr. Simmons has used his position to work with politicians, faith-based organizations and other associations to serve as a conduit for the provision of health insurance benefits and other human services to many families and individuals in New York. Mr. Simmons has been honored and recognized for his selfless contributions to the New York City community.

Madam Speaker, I would like to once again recognize Mr. Albert J. Simmons, Jr., for his tireless work with the citizens in need of New York City.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful man of substance and the great things for which he stands.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Christine Toomer for her contributions to the nursing profession and to the Brooklyn, NY, healthcare community.

Christine Toomer as born September 11, in Kingston, Jamaica. In 1972 she moved with her family to Brooklyn, NY. Christine knew at an early age she wanted to help people, so she enrolled in the Clara Barton High School for Nursing. After high school, Christine attended Borough of Manhattan Community College and later, Long Island University. While attending LIU, Christine found employment as a nurse extern. Eventually, Christine graduated from LIU and passed her nursing board certification exams.

Christine is a dedicated nurse and has spent several years at Interfaith Medical Center always putting her patients first. In the mid-90s, her hard work and dedication was recognized and Christine was promoted to assistant head nurse of the Tuberculosis Unit. Christine continued to demonstrate her dedication to nursing and in 2006 she was honored as Nurse of the Year. In April 2007, she was named Employee of the Month. She also became an active member of the American Nurses Association and the New York State Nurses Association.

Christine is not only a wonderful nurse, but also a committed mother of two sons. She is a devoted daughter and granddaughter who oversees the care of her disabled mother and ailing grandmother.

Christine believes that nursing and teaching others the proper way to monitor their health is her purpose in life. The many contributions she has made to the Brooklyn healthcare community are evident. Her love for nursing continues to make her an asset to the profession.

Madam Speaker, I would also like to once again recognize the impressive achievements that Christine Toomer has made in the healthcare field and the Brooklyn community.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to this wonderful woman of substance and the great things she stands for.