[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 254 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                     November 18, 1999.
Whereas diversity and tolerance are essential principles of an open and free 
        society;
Whereas all people deserve to be safe within their communities, free to live, 
        work and worship without fear of violence and bigotry;
Whereas crimes motivated by hatred against African-Americans, Jews, Asian-
        Americans, or other groups undermine the fundamental values of our 
        Nation;
Whereas the communities of Skokie, the West Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, 
        Northbrook, and Urbana, Illinois, and Bloomington, Indiana, were 
        terrorized by hate crimes over the Fourth of July weekend, a time when 
        our Nation celebrates its commitment to freedom and liberty;
Whereas hate crimes tear at the fabric of American society, leave scars on 
        victims and their families, and weaken our sense of community and 
        purpose;
Whereas Ricky Byrdsong, at age 43, was a loving husband and father, an inspiring 
        community leader, and a former basketball coach at Northwestern 
        University;
Whereas Ricky Byrdsong was a man of deep religious faith who touched the lives 
        of countless people and whose death is mourned by his family, friends, 
        and community, and by the Nation;
Whereas Won-Joon Yoon, at age 26, was the only son in a family of 6, and was 
        soon to become a doctoral student in Economics at Indiana University;
Whereas Won-Joon Yoon was a man who, through his demeanor and firmly-held 
        Christian beliefs, positively influenced those who knew him, and whose 
        death is mourned by his family, friends, and community, and by the 
        citizens of the United States and Korea; and
Whereas individuals who commit crimes based on hate and bigotry must be held 
        responsible for their actions and must be stopped from spreading 
        violence: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the senseless violence that occurred in Illinois and 
        Indiana over the Fourth of July weekend;
            (2) conveys its deepest sympathy to the victims and their families;
            (3) condemns the culture of hate and the hate groups that foster 
        such violent acts;
            (4) commends the communities of Illinois and Indiana for uniting to 
        condemn these acts of hate in their neighborhoods;
            (5) commends the efforts of Federal, State, and local law 
        enforcement officials; and
            (6) reaffirms its commitment to a society that fully respects and 
        protects all people, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.