[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 361 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 361

  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 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 14, 2021

Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Coons, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. 
  Durbin, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Markey, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Van Hollen) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
                            on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 Senate 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 Senate recognizes and 
        pays tribute to those who foster cultural pride and enhance the profile 
        of diverse communities across the United States;
Whereas immigration of Muslims to the colonies of the United States 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, in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, successive waves of immigration 
        brought additional Muslims to the United States, who sought to pursue 
        economic and social opportunity as well as freedom of religion and 
        enriched the fabric of the society of the United States as business 
        owners, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, humanitarians, 
        scientists, and students;
Whereas Muslim Americans contribute greatly to charitable organizations that 
        help people from all faiths in the United States and around the world by 
        feeding the hungry, providing recuperation efforts following natural 
        disasters, and providing medical assistance, family services, scholastic 
        supplies, and before- and after-school programs;
Whereas Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of the society of the 
        United States to make advancements in architecture, arts, business, 
        culture, diplomacy, government, law, medicine, the military, national 
        security, religion, and sports;
Whereas Bangladeshi-American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his mark on cityscapes in 
        the United States 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 the lives of the 
        people of the United States;
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 2008, Ambassador Sada Cumber was appointed by President George W. 
        Bush to serve as first Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic 
        Conference from the United States, representing the United States to 57 
        Muslim-majority nations;
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 the United States 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, the 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 
        2-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 more than 3,450,000;
Whereas more than 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty and more than 2,300 Muslims 
        serve as selected reserve personnel in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the Muslim population has been growing in the United States and the 
        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 the society of the 
        United States, including in 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 Senate--
            (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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