SIKHS MEET PRESIDENT BUSH AT WHITE HOUSE
September 26, 2001
A distinguished contingency of 14 Sikhs from around the United States met in an hour long meeting with President Bush in the Roosevelt Room of the White House.
They discussed the importance of respecting diversity in America, Sikhs in the military, and that India is a strong ally of the US and in full support of the President. There was discussion about the tragic death of Balbir Singh Sodhi in Phoenix and the enormous outpouring of community support for his family sprung from the fact that Balbir Singh lived his life as a true Gursikh. He worked hard, loved and respected everyone and served his community.
After these discussions President Bush took the delegation on a tour of the Oval Office. They then went to lunch with the Secretary of Health & Human Services Tommy Thompson.
Following the meeting President Bush joined by two of the Sikhs, held a press conference about the meeting which was reported on CNN. He said that Sikhs are just as American as Methodists and that no one should have to be afraid. He said 99.9 % of Americans are loving people and treat everyone well with respect. We need only be concerned with a very small fraction of those who have other motives. Many of the delegation that met with United States Senator Pete Domenici from New Mexico who with the President committed to keep speaking out and continue to advocate tolerance and understanding. They agreed to publicly keep talking about this matter which they realize provides support and comfort to everyone.
Their last meeting was at the Indian Embassy with Ambassador Lalit Mansingh. The Ambassador outlined the measures they have been taking regarding the attack on Sikhs. This included communicating with the local government of New York and Mayor Guiliani, getting more law enforcement with alot of cooperation, and local New York officials attending gurdwaras. The Ambassador was instrumental in arranging for India's Prime Minister Vajpayee to telephone President Bush after Balbir Singh Sodhi's killing.
India recognizes the need for stability in Pakistan and supports the United States position without condition.
Sikhnet expresses its sincere gratitude to those distinguished Sikhs who organized this meeting and who made it happen.
PRESIDENT BUSH'S INITIAL STATEMENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE
President Welcomes Sikh Leaders to White House
Remarks by the President in Meeting with Sikh Community Leaders
The Roosevelt Room
12:10 P.M. EDT - September 26th, 2001
THE PRESIDENT: It's my honor to welcome citizens from all across our country here to the Roosevelt Room and the White House to discuss our common commitment to make sure that every American is treated with respect and dignity during this period of -- during any period, for that matter, of American history, particularly during this time.
An American Sikh has been killed, unjustly so. These citizens bring their hearts with them, and I can assure them that our government will do everything we can to not only bring those people to justice, but also to treat every human life as dear, and to respect the values that made our country so different and so unique. We're all Americans, bound together by common ideals and common values.
So I want to welcome you all here. I'm honored that you're here in the White House, and I look forward to a good, frank discussion. Thank you for coming.
View the President's Remarks
Listen to the President's Remarks
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View the remarks on the White House Website
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The following is a list of Sikh Community Leaders attending the Sept. 26 meeting with President Bush:
- Avtar Gill, Sikh Community of Central Valley, California
- Balwinder Cheema, president, Sikh Cultural Society of New York
- Bhupinder Saini, executive committee member, Sikh Religious Society of Wisconsin
- Charnjit Batth, president/chair Pacific Coast, Khala Diwan Society, Fresno, California
- Darshan Dhaliwal, president, Bulk Petroleum Corporation, Mequon,Wisconsin -- Charranjeet Dhaliwal, Sikh, Mequon, Wisconsin
- Daya Singh Khalsa, senior vice president, Akal Security Inc. Santa Cruz, New Mexico
- Didar Singh, ex-president and founder, World Sikh Organization, Yuba City, California
- Jason Thompson, vice president, Bulk Petroleum Corporation Mequon, Wisconsin
- Jaspreet Singh, Sikh Gurudwara, Bridgewater, New Jersey
- Jessie Singh, B.J.S. Group, a computer company, Milpitas, California
- Kulwant Hundal, president, Sikh Religious Society of Chicago
- Mohinder Singh, president, Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center and coordinator of relief supplies for victims of WTC tragedy
- Dr. Prem Sharma, president, Wisconsin Coalition of Asian Indian Association and president, Milwaukee Ethnic Council, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dr. Rajwant Singh, founder and leader of the local Sikh congregation, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation.