[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 38 (Tuesday, March 19, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H2329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 MAHMOUD ABDUL-RAUF'S FREEDOM OF SPEECH

  (Mr. FUNDERBURK asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FUNDERBURK. Mr. Speaker, the actions of NBA basketball player, 
Chris Jackson, now Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, are despicable. This superrich, 
NBA star should be thankful for the opportunity American free 
enterprise bestowed on him. Instead he refused to stand and show 
respect for the Stars and Stripes during the national anthem. He said 
he could not do so because ``Old Glory'' is a symbol of tyranny and 
oppression. He earns $2.6 million per year--over $31,000 per game, If 
that is ``tyranny and oppression'' there are many waiting in line to be 
oppressed. Now, Abdul-Rauf says he wants to move to Canada. Maybe he 
will be willing to pay back the cost of his education at LSU and his 
salary from the Denver Nuggets--all conspirators in his ``tyrannical 
and oppressive'' United States. Mr. Speaker, I lived for 6 years in a 
Communist regime where real tyranny and oppression existed. America is 
paradise. Millions of Americans have fought and died to protect Abdul 
Rauf's freedom of speech. If Abdul-Rauf believes the flag represents 
tyranny and oppression, I say let him try Iran and see if they will 
tolerate his disrespect and pay him millions to play basketball. When 
this poor ``oppressed'' millionaire leaves, I'll say good riddance.

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