[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 322 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 322

             Supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 6, 1998

   Mr. Bonior (for himself and Mr. Davis of Virginia) submitted the 
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                             the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
             Supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims.

Whereas the American Muslim community, comprised of approximately 5,000,000 
        people, is a vital part of our Nation, with more than 1,500 mosques, 
        Islamic schools, and Islamic centers in neighborhoods across the United 
        States;
Whereas Islam is one of the great Abrahamic faiths, whose significant 
        contributions throughout history have advanced the fields of math, 
        science, medicine, law, philosophy, art, and literature;
Whereas the United States is a secular nation, with an unprecedented commitment 
        to religious tolerance and pluralism, where the rights, liberties, and 
        freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution are guaranteed to all citizens 
        regardless of religious affiliation;
Whereas Muslims have been subjected, simply because of their faith, to acts of 
        discrimination and harassment that all too often have led to hate-
        inspired violence, as was the case during the rush to judgment in the 
        aftermath of the tragic Oklahoma City bombing;
Whereas discrimination against Muslims intimidates American Muslims and may 
        prevent Muslims from freely expressing their opinions and exercising 
        their religious beliefs as guaranteed by the first amendment to the 
        Constitution;
Whereas American Muslims have regrettably been portrayed in a negative light in 
        some discussions of policy issues such as issues relating to religious 
        persecution abroad or fighting terrorism in the United States;
Whereas stereotypes and anti-Muslim rhetoric have also contributed to a backlash 
        against Muslims in some neighborhoods across the United States; and
Whereas all persons in the United States who espouse and adhere to the values of 
        the founders of our Nation should help in the fight against bias, 
        bigotry, and intolerance in all their forms and from all their sources: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) Congress condemns anti-Muslim intolerance and 
        discrimination as wholly inconsistent with the American values 
        of religious tolerance and pluralism;
            (2) while Congress respects and upholds the right of 
        individuals to free speech, Congress acknowledges that 
        individuals and organizations that foster such intolerance 
        create an atmosphere of hatred and fear that divides the 
        Nation;
            (3) Congress resolves to uphold a level of political 
        discourse that does not involve making a scapegoat of an entire 
        religion or drawing political conclusions on the basis of 
        religious doctrine; and
            (4) Congress recognizes the contributions of American 
        Muslims, who are followers of one of the three major 
        monotheistic religions of the world and one of the fastest 
        growing faiths in the United States.
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