[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 541 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 541

  Expressing support for the recognition of July as ``Muslim-American 
  Heritage Month'' and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim 
                    Americans in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 20, 2021

 Ms. Bass (for herself, Mr. Carson, Ms. Omar, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Moore of 
Wisconsin, Ms. Norton, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Raskin, 
Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. 
 Pocan, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Newman, Mrs. Watson 
Coleman, Mr. Meeks, Ms. McCollum, and Ms. Lee of California) submitted 
   the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
                          Oversight and Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the recognition of July as ``Muslim-American 
  Heritage Month'' and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim 
                    Americans in the United States.

Whereas the House of Representatives is proud to recognize and commemorate 
        ``Muslim-American Heritage Month'', an observance that celebrates the 
        contributions of Muslim Americans;
Whereas in keeping with its time-honored traditions, the House of 
        Representatives recognizes and pays tribute to those who foster cultural 
        pride and enhance the profile of diverse communities across the United 
        States;
Whereas emigration of Muslims to the American colonies began with the arrival of 
        indentured workers;
Whereas during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of 
        slaves of Muslim heritage were brought to the United States;
Whereas Muslim Americans contribute greatly to charitable organizations that 
        help people from all faiths in the United States and around the world by 
        providing medical assistance, family services, scholastic supplies, 
        before- and after-school programs, feeding the hungry, and providing 
        recuperation efforts following natural disasters;
Whereas Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of American society to 
        make advancements in architecture, arts, business, culture, government, 
        law, medicine, military, religion, and sports;
Whereas Bangladeshi-American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his mark on America's 
        cityscapes by pioneering a new structural system of frame tubes used to 
        construct iconic buildings like the World Trade Center in New York City, 
        the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, and the Willis 
        ``Sears'' Tower in Chicago;
Whereas many Muslim Americans pursue the American dream and contribute to the 
        Nation's economy as business owners and entrepreneurs, including 
        Pakistani-born billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the auto-parts company 
        Flex-N-Gate and the National Football League Jacksonville Jaguars;
Whereas Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi's invention of the ice cream cone is a 
        practical confection with a near ubiquitous presence in American life;
Whereas, in 2006, Keith Ellison of Minnesota was elected to the House of 
        Representatives, becoming the first Muslim American to serve in 
        Congress;
Whereas, in 2021, Zahid Quraishi was confirmed as the first Muslim American to 
        serve as an Article III Federal judge as a District Judge of the United 
        States District Court for the District of New Jersey;
Whereas Pakistani-American neurosurgeon Ayub Ommaya's invention of the 
        intraventricular catheter system provides chemotherapy to treat brain 
        tumors;
Whereas Muslim Americans have fought in support of America in every major war, 
        from Bampett Muhamed and Yusuf Ben Ali under the command of General 
        George Washington in the American Revolutionary War to Captain Humayun 
        Khan, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in 2004;
Whereas Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the first Muslim American to deliver the 
        invocation for the Senate, and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, civil rights 
        activist and reformer also known as Malcolm X, were prominent religious 
        leaders and scholars;
Whereas professional athletes like National Basketball Association Hall of Fame 
        members Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O'Neal, and 
        two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Shariff Rahman thrilled sports 
        fans across the Nation and around the globe during their respective 
        careers;
Whereas Olympians like boxer Muhammad Ali, track and field athlete Dalilah 
        Muhammad, and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad won medals in international 
        competitions;
Whereas with roots in at least 77 different countries, and identifying racially 
        as White, Black, Arab, and Asian, Muslim Americans are an extremely 
        diverse population;
Whereas the current population of Muslims living in the United States is 
        estimated at over 3,450,000;
Whereas over 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty and over 2,300 Muslims serve as 
        selected reserve personnel in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the Muslim population has been growing in the United States and today's 
        Muslim-American population is a tapestry of ethnic, racial, linguistic, 
        social, and economic groups;
Whereas nearly 50 percent of Muslim Americans have reported experiencing 
        religious discrimination, with that number rising to 64 percent for 
        Muslim Americans whose appearance identifies them as Muslim, such as 
        women who wear the hijab, or headscarf;
Whereas there is a need for public education, awareness, and policies that are 
        culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the 
        impacts of being Muslim American in all aspects of American society, 
        including discourse and policy;
Whereas ``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' will be observed in the month of 
        July; and
Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Muslim Americans have 
        helped to build a better Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Muslim-American Heritage 
        Month'';
            (2) honors the contributions and integral role of Muslim 
        Americans in the economy, culture, and identity of the United 
        States; and
            (3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
        ``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' with appropriate ceremonies, 
        programs, and activities that celebrate the contributions of 
        Muslim Americans to the United States.
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