[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 154 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 154

  Expressing the sense of Congress that African-Americans and Jewish-
  Americans share common historical experiences and a commitment to a 
                 society free from hatred and violence.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 15, 2009

Mr. Hastings of Florida submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
          which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing the sense of Congress that African-Americans and Jewish-
  Americans share common historical experiences and a commitment to a 
                 society free from hatred and violence.

Whereas the tragic shooting of Special Police Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns at 
        the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC, on June 
        10, 2009, was an act of violence profoundly affecting both the African-
        American and Jewish-American communities;
Whereas Officer Johns, an African-American, was allegedly killed by a White 
        supremacist while defending an institution devoted to Jewish history and 
        dedicated to eradicating all forms of hatred and violence;
Whereas Officer Johns' murder sadly demonstrates an historic commonality between 
        the African-American and Jewish communities, that of being the target of 
        senseless acts of hate-motivated violence;
Whereas the events at the Holocaust Museum remind us that the African-American 
        and Jewish-American communities must continue to work together to 
        realize the common goal of combating hatred, intolerance, and violence 
        with education, community-building, and a commitment to work together to 
        improve our world;
Whereas African-Americans and Jewish-Americans have a long and proud tradition 
        of working together to eliminate all forms of racism, xenophobia, and 
        anti-Semitism, and to build communities of toleration, acceptance, 
        mutual respect and understanding, and appreciation for diversity of 
        backgrounds and life experiences;
Whereas this tradition of joint activism includes the founding of the National 
        Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the fight against 
        Nazism, the expansion of civil rights, and the struggle against poverty;
Whereas by standing together, African-Americans and Jewish-Americans present a 
        powerful front to advance acceptance and understanding, and to make 
        progress on alleviating many of the great social inequalities in the 
        United States, including poverty, discrimination, disparities in 
        education and health, and improving underprivileged and underserved 
        communities;
Whereas the attempt to eliminate prejudice requires that all people in the 
        United States develop respect and acceptance of cultural differences and 
        to continue the dialogue across ethnic, cultural, and religious 
        boundaries;
Whereas there is growing awareness of the need to complement tough hate crime 
        laws and vigorous enforcement, which can deter and address violence 
        motivated by bigotry, with education and training initiatives designed 
        to reduce prejudice; and
Whereas it is the long standing policy of the United States Government to stand 
        firm against crimes of hatred wherever and whenever they occur and to 
        ensure justice: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) Congress--
                    (A) honors the sacrifice of Special Police Officer 
                Stephen Tyrone Johns in his defense of the staff and 
                visitors of the United States Holocaust Memorial 
                Museum; and
                    (B) views this special relationship as an 
                opportunity for dialogue for all people who seek ways 
                of fighting injustice and securing dignity for all; and
            (2) it is the sense of Congress that--
                    (A) the African-American and Jewish-American 
                communities should continue to work together to combat 
                all forms of hate-inspired violence; and
                    (B) leaders and individuals in both communities 
                should make an increased effort to meet regularly to 
                discuss matters of mutual interest and concern.
                                 <all>