[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 328 Introduced in House (IH)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 328

Condemning the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying, 
and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of 
vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States, and remembering 
 the tragedy that occurred at the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin one year 
                                  ago.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             August 2, 2013

    Mr. Crowley (for himself, Mr. Bera of California, Ms. Meng, Ms. 
    Brownley of California, Ms. Moore, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Moran, Mr. 
 Cartwright, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Courtney, Mrs. 
Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Deutch, Mr. 
 Murphy of Florida, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Pascrell, 
   Ms. Hahn, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Price of North 
 Carolina, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Honda, Mr. Rush, Mr. Israel, 
Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Kind, 
Mr. Sires, Mr. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, Mr. Swalwell of California, 
 Mr. McDermott, Ms. Norton, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Pierluisi, Mr. Peters of 
Michigan, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Speier, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
  Vargas, Mr. Vela, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Connolly, and Ms. 
 Slaughter) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Condemning the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying, 
and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of 
vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States, and remembering 
 the tragedy that occurred at the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin one year 
                                  ago.

Whereas Sikh-Americans have frequently been stereotyped solely because of their 
        appearance, practices and traditions;
Whereas numerous Sikh temples have been defaced and Sikh-Americans attacked out 
        of ignorance and hatred, including instances in Michigan, New York, 
        California, and Washington;
Whereas some incidents against Sikh-Americans appear to be erroneous attempts to 
        place blame or exact retribution for the September 11, 2001, terrorist 
        attacks;
Whereas the heinous attack and killing of six persons and wounding of others in 
        the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin occurred a year ago on August 5, 2012;
Whereas a Sikh-American cab driver was assaulted on October 17, 2012, near 
        Seattle, Washington;
Whereas a Sikh-American-owned convenience store in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was set 
        ablaze on March 5, 2013;
Whereas 82-year-old Piara Singh was brutally attacked as he was leaving his 
        Gurdwara in Fresno, California, on May 8, 2013;
Whereas Sikh-Americans are often targeted solely because of their unique dress 
        and religious practices;
Whereas surveys have found that up to 3 out of every 4 Sikh boys in the United 
        States are bullied due to their appearance;
Whereas the Sikh faith is the world's fifth largest religion, with more than 
        25,000,000 practitioners worldwide, upwards of 500,000 of whom reside in 
        the United States;
Whereas Sikh-Americans have lived in the United States for at least 100 years as 
        pillars of society, making invaluable contributions in business, 
        politics, science, and education;
Whereas Sikh-Americans serve in all roles of American life, including as family 
        members, business owners, elected leaders, and members of the United 
        States military;
Whereas Dalip Singh Saund served as a Sikh-American member of the U.S. House of 
        Representatives in the late 1950s and early 1960s; and
Whereas under successive Administrations, the Department of Justice has 
        rightfully reached out to the Sikh community to prevent discrimination 
        and protect its civil liberties: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) condemns the commission of hate crimes against all 
        Americans, including Sikh-Americans;
            (2) condemns acts of violence, bigotry and discrimination 
        against Sikh-Americans;
            (3) urges educators, counselors and others to support 
        educational efforts to prevent the epidemic bullying of Sikh-
        American children and families;
            (4) supports outreach efforts by Federal and local law 
        enforcement leaders to prevent violence and hate crimes against 
        Sikh-Americans;
            (5) appreciates the Federal Bureau of Investigation 
        Advisory Policy Board for recommending the tracking of hate 
        crimes against Sikh-Americans, Hindu-Americans, Arab-Americans, 
        and other groups; and
            (6) urges the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the 
        Department of Justice to expeditiously adopt and subsequently 
        work to implement the Advisory Policy Board's recommendations.
                                 <all>