[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 43 (Monday, April 14, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            THE BILLINGS MONTANA STORY: ``NOT IN THIS TOWN''

  Mr. BAUCUS. Madam President, I rise today to tell my colleagues about 
some events that took place in Billings, MT, a few years ago. It is the 
story of a town whose citizens decided that hatred and bigotry were not 
welcome in their community.
  The people of Billings enjoy the high quality of life that only 
Montana can provide. The magic city is the largest city in Montana, but 
it still has the feel of a small town. Folks still say hi to each other 
on the street. Families go to the symphony in Pioneer Park during the 
summer. And neighbors still go out of their way to help someone when 
they need a hand.
  That placid life was shattered in November 1993, when a group of 
skinheads threw a bottle through the glass door of a Jewish home. A few 
days later they put a brick through the window of another Jewish home--
with a 5-year-old boy in the room. Then they smashed the windows of a 
Catholic high school that had a Happy Hanukkah sign on its marquee.
  The events frightened and repulsed the citizens of Billings. They 
were shocked to find that hatred and violence had penetrated their 
peaceful community.
  But the people of Billings did not allow this outside menace to take 
root. The community banded together. Thousands of people put menorahs 
in their homes. They showed the skinheads that they were united against 
hate. And that year, Billings held the largest Martin Luther King Day 
march ever in Montana. The skinheads left town. Billings showed that 
hatred can be overcome.
  Madam President, the people of Billings didn't ask to be recognized. 
They just did what came naturally. Recently, the USA network has 
decided that the Billings story was worth telling to the world. With 
all the bad news out there these days, it is refreshing to know that 
someone wants to tell a positive story. The people of Billings can be a 
shining example to the rest of our country; Montana will not tolerate 
hatred in any way, shape, or form.
  I commend the USA network and--most important--the people of 
Billings, for their efforts in making this country a more tolerant 
place for us all.

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