Community Voice

MARCH 21, 2004

8th Chait, Samvat 536 Nanakshah

35 members of the House of Representatives Co-sponser House Resolution 528

WASHINGTON, DC – Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that France should modify or abandon its ban on religious articles and symbols in state schools and respect the freedom of all to practice their religious faith without state interference, 35 members of the House of the Congress signed the Resolution 528.

UNITED SIKHS who is spearheading the efforts along with Voices For Freedom jointly welcomes the efforts of the Sikh Coalition. SMART will be assisting in this endeavor in the coming weeks. We would also like to thank the Sangat of Washington DC, Guru Harkrishan Institute of Sikh Studies and George Washington University’s Sikh Student Association volunteers who assisted us in this endeavor. We welcome the sewa of other organizations to assist us in this effort. We are making progress through our united efforts.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. If you live in the Washington D.C area, please volunteer for lobbying. Our lobbying efforts at Capitol Hill have intensified. Below is the list of the co-sponsors.

CO-SPONSORS

Rep Abercrombie, Neil - 3/4/2004 [HI-1]	Rep Ackerman, Gary L. - 3/16/2004 [NY-5]
Rep Bell, Chris - 3/4/2004 [TX-25]	Rep Berkley, Shelley - 3/16/2004 [NV-1]
Rep Burns, Max - 3/16/2004 [GA-12]	Rep Burton, Dan - 3/11/2004 [IN-5]
Rep Cardoza, Dennis A. – 3/4/2004 [CA-18]	Rep Crowley, Joseph - 3/4/2004 [NY-7]
Rep Doggett, Lloyd - 3/16/2004 [TX-10]	Rep Evans, Lane - 3/4/2004 [IL-17]
Rep Frank, Barney - 3/16/2004 [MA-4]	Rep Green, Mark - 3/16/2004 [WI-8]
Rep Herger, Wally - 3/11/2004 [CA-2]	Rep Honda, Michael M. - 2/11/2004 [CA-15]
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 3/4/2004 [TX-18]	Rep Lee, Barbara - 3/4/2004 [CA-9]
Rep Lewis, John – 3/11/2004 [GA-5]	Rep Lucas, Ken - 3/16/2004 [KY-4]
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. – 3/4/2004 [NY-6]	Rep Ney, Robert W. - 3/4/2004 [OH-18]
Rep Pastor, Ed - 3/4/2004 [AZ-4]	Rep Payne, Donald M. - 3/4/2004 [NJ-10]
Rep Pence, Mike – 3/11/2004 [IN-6]	Rep Rohrabacher, Dana - 3/4/2004 [CA-46]
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. - 3/16/2004 [CA-39]	Rep Scott, David - 3/16/2004 [GA-13]
Rep Shimkus, John - 3/4/2004 [IL-19]	Rep Stark, Fortney Pete - 3/4/2004 [CA-13]
Rep Towns, Edolphus - 3/4/2004 [NY-10]	Rep Udall, Tom - 3/16/2004 [NM-3]
Rep Wolf, Frank R. - 3/11/2004 [VA-10]	Rep Wynn, Albert Russell - 3/11/2004 [MD-4]
Rep Trent, Franks –3/17/2004 [AZ –2]	Rep Lofgren, Zoe – 3/17/2004 [CA –16]
Rep Marshall, Jim – 3/19/2004 [GA -3]

To volunteer please call Attorney Harpreet Singh (1-586-675-3388); Mirin Kaur (1-301-461-1276) or Jasleen Kaur (1-646-338-5996). You can also email us at: taskforce@unitedsikhs.org

Members of the community living in other states please call your members in the U.S. House of Representatives to Co-Sponsor this resolution. We have been told to convey to the community members that it is important that the members from different states do make the calls to their congressmen to co-sponsor the Resolution 528.

To determine your representative's name and contact information, please go to http://www.house.gov/ and type in your zip code.

If your representative should want to read a message from Congressmen Brad Sherman and Mike Honda, please refer them to the 'Dear Colleague' letter at: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/usna/sacred/france/congress/HeadscarfDearColleague.htm.

To view Resolution 528 introduced jointly by Congressman Brad Sherman and Congressman Mike Honda) please visit: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/us-na/sacred/france/congress/HRes528.pdf

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For more information on what UNITED SIKHS is doing to oppose the French bill that bans articles of faith in public schools, please visit:https://www.unitedsikhs.org/us-eu/petitions/RightToTurban.htm

To find out what else is happening in the Sikh community, please visit:https://www.unitedsikhs.org/whatshappening.html

Our Mission

To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity.

UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities.

UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good.

Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all.

We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision.