[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
         CONDEMNING RACISM AND BIGOTRY FROM THE NATION OF ISLAM

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to express my outrage 
at the recent statements and actions of Louis Farakhan, Khalid 
Muhammed, Conrad Muhammed, and his supporters. More disturbing still is 
the fact that so many people seem to take comfort at their mass 
gatherings. Too few have spoken out against this racism and all 
Americans, of every ethnic persuasion, should be angered.
  We must not buy into the false argument that the Nation of Islam 
``does some good.'' In the long run, no good can come from any people 
who seek material and spiritual betterment by scapegoating others. We 
do not accept the argument that Adolf Hitler found redemption with the 
German people despite his genocide of European Jewry in the Holocaust. 
We do not accept the ``reasonable sounding'' remedies of David Duke 
clothed as they are in a former Ku Klux Klansman. We cannot accept the 
``quick fix'' Vladimir Zhirinovsky wrapped in the hatred of Jews and 
non-Russians.
  These people cannot be regarded as a positive force in our society in 
the long or short run absent a comprehensive revision of their racist 
philosophy.
  On Sunday, May 1, 1994, the Jewish Community Relations Council of 
Greater New York will honor Congressman John Lewis of Georgia, who has 
spoken out against the hatred of Nation of Islam leaders. I will join 
with Senator Moynihan and the members of the New York congressional 
delegation as we pay tribute to John.
  It is time for everyone to speak out. We should have learned 
history's lessons long ago. It's a shame that we have not. There is no 
place in our society for the hatred that these people espouse.

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