[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 534 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 534

Expressing support for the recognition of January 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

                            January 25, 2024

 Mr. Booker (for himself, Mr. Fetterman, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Padilla, 
 Mr. Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Welch, and 
 Mr. Durbin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the recognition of January 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 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 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 
        providing medical assistance, family services, and scholastic supplies, 
        running before- and after-school programs, feeding the hungry, and 
        providing recuperation efforts following natural disasters;
Whereas Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of the society of the 
        United States by making advancements in architecture, arts, business, 
        culture, government, law, medicine, the military, religion, and sports;
Whereas Bangladeshi-American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his mark on the cityscapes 
        of 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, New York, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in 
        Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Willis ``Sears'' Tower in Chicago, 
        Illinois;
Whereas many Muslim Americans pursue the American dream and contribute to the 
        economy of the United States 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's 
        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 life 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 the first Special Envoy to the Organization of the 
        Islamic Conference from the United States, representing the United 
        States to 57 Muslim-majority nations;
Whereas actor Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim American to win an Oscar 
        for his supporting role in ``Moonlight'' in 2017;
Whereas, in 2018, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota were 
        elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the first Muslim-
        American women 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, in 2021, Rashad Hussain was confirmed as the first Muslim American to 
        serve as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International 
        Religious Freedom;
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 Muslim-American professional athletes like Naismith Memorial Basketball 
        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 United States and around the globe 
        during their respective careers;
Whereas Muslim-American Olympians, such as 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 individuals;
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 help 
        people be culturally competent when describing, discussing, or 
        addressing the impacts that Muslim Americans have on all aspects of the 
        society of the United States;
Whereas ``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' will be observed in the month of 
        January; and
Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Muslim Americans have 
        helped to build a better United States: 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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