Albuquerque, NM – On Monday, May 12, Sikh Dharma International representatives Daya Singh Khalsa, Director of Public Relations, and Mukta Kaur Khalsa, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, warmly welcomed President George W. Bush and extended greetings to him on behalf of Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji and the Sikh American community. President Bush delivered a speech to 2,000 New Mexicans at MCT Industries as part of his economic stimulus plan. By promoting small businesses, the President plans to increase employment opportunities by creating more jobs. In this speech, President Bush also referenced the innate religious freedoms that Americans experience.

President Bush has supported and protected freedom of religion. In fact, several weeks after 9/11 and the killing of Balbir Singh Sodhi, President Bush called a meeting at the White House with an esteemed group of 14 Sikh representatives, including Daya Singh Khalsa, about condemning hate crimes against Sikhs, Muslims and Arabs. At that time, the President vowed to be outspoken about the senseless acts of hate crimes and immediately called a press conference making a plea to the American public to be tolerant of our differences by embracing diversity.

United States Senator Pete Domenici and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson were also among the distinguished guests hosting the president in Albuquerque. Senator Domenici is senior senator from New Mexico and is chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Energy. Governor Richardson formerly served in President Clinton’s administration as the U.S. Secretary of Energy and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Recently, the newly elected Governor visited Yogi Bhajan at his home in Espanola. The two are very dear, long-time friends from the days when Bill Richardson was Congressman representing the Espanola district in the House of Representatives. The two laughed and talked about old friends, the future of New Mexico and its economy. After some time, the Governor left for another appointment and responded to the invitation to the 18th International Peace Prayer Day saying he would be attending the June 21st event.

Top Photo: Sikh Dharma International representatives Daya Singh Khalsa, Director of Public Relations, and Mukta Kaur Khalsa, Secretary of Foreign Affairs with United States President George Bush.

Below Photo: United States President George Bush and Senator Pete Domenici talk for a moment with Siri Singh Sahib Bhai Sahib Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji during a previous visit to New Mexico.