[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 29, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H5030-H5036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE CONDEMNING ACTS OF VIOLENCE AT THREE 
                   SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, SYNAGOGUES

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 226) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives condemning the acts of arson at three Sacramento, 
California, area synagogues on June 18, 1999, and affirming its 
opposition to such crimes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 226

       Whereas on the evening of June 18, 1999, in Sacramento, 
     California, the Congregation B'nai Israel, Congregation Beth 
     Shalom, and Kenesset Israel Torah Center were victims of 
     malicious and cowardly acts of arson;
       Whereas such crimes against our institutions of faith are 
     crimes against us all;
       Whereas we have celebrated since our Nation's birth the 
     rich and colorful diversity of its people, and the sanctity 
     of a free and democratic society;
       Whereas the liberties Americans enjoy are attributed in 
     large part to the courage and determination of visionaries 
     who made great strides in overcoming the barriers of 
     oppression, intolerance, and discrimination in order to 
     ensure fair and equal treatment for every American by every 
     American;
       Whereas this type of unacceptable behavior is a direct 
     assault upon the fundamental rights of all Americans who 
     cherish their freedom of religion; and
       Whereas every Member of Congress serves in part as a role 
     model and bears a responsibility to protect and honor the 
     multitude of cultural institutions and traditions we enjoy in 
     the United States of America: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) condemns the crimes that occurred in Sacramento, 
     California, at Congregation B'nai Israel, Congregation Beth 
     Shalom, and Kenesset Israel Torah Center on the evening of 
     June 18, 1999;
       (2) rejects such acts of intolerance and malice in our 
     society and interprets such attacks on cultural and religious 
     institutions as an attack on all Americans;
       (3) in the strongest terms possible, is committed to using 
     Federal law enforcement personnel and resources to identify 
     the persons who committed these heinous acts and bring them 
     to justice in a swift and deliberate manner;
       (4) recognizes and applauds the residents of the 
     Sacramento, California, area who have so quickly joined 
     together to lend support and assistance to the victims of 
     these despicable crimes, and remain committed to preserving 
     the freedom of religion of all members of the community; and
       (5) calls upon all Americans to categorically reject 
     similar acts crimes of hate and intolerance.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H. Res. 226.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) and ask unanimous consent that he 
may be permitted to control that time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 226. I am 
bringing House Resolution 226 to the House floor with strong bipartisan 
support and 75 cosponsors. In addition, I want to applaud my 
colleagues, the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) and the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo) for their hard work in helping me 
get this bill to the floor with such strong support. This resolution 
condemns the recent acts of arson at three Sacramento synagogues.
  Mr. Speaker, I am saddened today that I have to be here on the House 
floor to speak about this tragic event. However, this resolution is 
necessary due to the cowardly acts of arsonists still at large.
  On the evening of June 18, three Sacramento area synagogues, the 
Congregation B'nai Israel, Congregation Beth Shalom, and the Kenesset 
Israel Torah Center, were targeted and set on fire by one or more 
arsonists, causing more than $1 million in damage. While the damage to 
property was severe, no dollar amount can reflect the true damage done 
when vicious crimes such as these strike a community.
  Sacramento and the surrounding communities have banded together to 
denounce these acts of arson and to raise money to rebuild the damaged 
synagogues. While these steps by the community are to be applauded, as 
Members of Congress, we must stand together and condemn these acts to 
ensure that similar events do not take place in the future in other 
communities throughout this Nation.
  These malicious deeds are reminiscent of the church burnings that 
occurred in 1996 throughout the south. The event that took place in 
Northern California earlier this month illustrates that such crimes 
are, unfortunately, still possible.
  This resolution expresses our resolve to ensure that such acts of 
ignorance and bigotry will not be tolerated and those who commit them 
will be brought quickly to justice. It condemns these specific acts of 
arson in the Sacramento area, while also affirming our strong 
opposition to all such crimes of intolerance. It states in the 
strongest terms possible that we are committing Federal law enforcement 
personnel and resources to identify the persons who committed these 
heinous acts and bring them swiftly to justice.
  Mr. Speaker, it is still disturbing that while great men and women in 
our Nation's history had the courage and determination to strive to 
overcome the barriers of oppression, intolerance, and discrimination in 
order to ensure fair and equal treatment for every American, acts of 
such malice as these occur even now as we approach the 21st Century.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in showing condemnation 
of the recent arson of three Sacramento synagogues and lend their 
support to House Resolution 226 on the floor today.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. In 1963, the 16th 
Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was dynamited by the Ku 
Klux Klan. The killing of four African American girls preparing for a 
religious ceremony, shocked the Nation and acted as a catalyst for much 
of the civil rights movement.
  Last week, under the cover of darkness, three Sacramento area 
synagogues were targeted and set ablaze in equally cowardly acts of 
hate. I rise to condemn these and all similar acts of hate that should 
shock and shame our National conscience.
  This atrocity, like the wave of church burnings across the South, 
illustrates the need for continued vigilance for this resolution and 
for the passage of the hate crimes prevention act of 1999.
  This legislation will make it easier for Federal authorities to 
prosecute racial, religious, and ethnic violence, in the same way that 
the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 helped Federal

[[Page H5031]]

prosecutors combat church arson, by loosening the unduly rigid 
jurisdictional requirements under Federal law for prosecuting such 
arson.
  Under this legislation, the States will continue to take the lead in 
the prosecution of the more than 50,000 hate crimes reported since 
1997, but the Justice Department will be able to provide the backup and 
resources necessary to ensure that such hate crimes do not go 
unpunished.
  As Members of Congress, the synagogue arsons give us further notice 
that our work in addressing hate crimes is not complete. We should move 
forward on pending legislation.
  I encourage the Sacramento community to stand together and to rebuild 
the fabric of its community. From the ashes of hate, let us build the 
garden of hope and unity. I urge the passage of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Matsui) and I ask unanimous consent that he be 
permitted to manage the remainder of the time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lewis).
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for 
yielding me this time.
  Mr. Speaker, most of my friends know that I had the privilege of 
spending a decade of my life in Sacramento while serving as a member of 
the State legislature between 1968 and 1978. During that time, 
Sacramento virtually became, for Arlene and myself, our second home.
  The moment I heard of this horrid act, I could not help but 
immediately call my brother-in-law, who is a part of the Jewish 
community in Sacramento, Bill Brodovsky, and share our own concern 
about this expression of violence in our society.
  It is very, very clear that the fringe elements who are involved in 
this kind of vicious act are a very small number in our society. They 
reflect those people who are motivated by fear. We cannot allow the 
worst in our society to dominate any piece of our society.
  So I want to express my deep appreciation to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) for 
the effort they put together here in a bipartisan, nonpartisan sense to 
make sure that the Congress' voice, this Hall of Freedom's voice, is 
heard clearly.
  Beyond that, Mr. Speaker, the reaction in Sacramento is so 
impressive. The best of the community has come forth, of all faiths. 
People of all backgrounds who believe in that community are coming 
together in a level of unity we have not seen for years. It is a 
reflection of the best of America, a credit to Sacramento, and indeed, 
it is a credit to those who represent Sacramento here in the House.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Lewis) for those comments that he just made. He has been a 
distinguished Member of Congress, and certainly in the State assembly 
when he was there, and we appreciate his efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution. I would like to 
express my gratitude that it is being considered by the House with such 
dispatch. I appreciate the leadership for bringing this up in a very 
timely fashion. This is a very important issue to Sacramento and 
actually all Americans who abhor intolerance.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my California colleagues, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Doolittle), the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Herger), the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Condit), the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), and the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey), and many others who have 
given us the strong support from Sacramento County. We appreciate their 
concern very much. Also the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), who 
has been at the forefront on the issue of fighting hate crimes in 
America.
  On June 18, Mr. Speaker, under cover of darkness, at 3 in the 
morning, a cowardly act was committed against three Sacramento 
synagogues. Within a period of 45 minutes, Congregation B'nai Israel, 
Congregation Beth Shalom and Kenesset Israel Torah Center were set 
afire in an act of deliberate and premeditated hate. Our hearts went 
out to Rabbi Brad Bloom, Rabbi Joseph Melamed, Rabbi Stuart Rosen, 
Rabbi Mona Alfi and all of their Congregations when we heard what 
happened.
  In all, over $1.2 million in damages was done to these three temples. 
But even more than the dollar amount, there was the destruction of over 
5,000 books, many of which are irreplaceable, from which the hundreds 
of congregants and children studied Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. And now the 
memories of these ceremonies, the traditions practiced, and the rites 
of passage experienced by so many will be forever altered. This was the 
largest collection of works actually west of the Mississippi, all 
destroyed by the arsonists and hate criminals.
  Some individuals during this evening placed their own lives in 
jeopardy to save sacred Torahs. Many rushed into the burning buildings, 
alerting fire fighters of the places where the sacred texts could be 
found. Every Torah was saved, including several that had already been 
rescued from European synagogues destroyed during the Holocaust. Even 
in the dark of night there were heroes in Sacramento to be found.
  It matters little in which community these acts occur, because the 
injury is borne by everyone who values American principles of religious 
freedom and diversity. The responsibility to condemn these acts is 
shared by all of us. When an act of destruction is committed at any 
institution of faith, there are wounds and wounds run very deep. But 
what helps us is there is somebody to be there with you, and today, 
through this resolution, on a bipartisan basis, we send the message 
that bigotry and hate will not be tolerated and that we choose to stand 
together as people who celebrate and embrace our religious freedom and 
join with those who would heal our communities when others seek to 
divide us.
  Mr. Speaker, Sacramento has been a perfect example, an inspiration of 
how a community must respond when such acts occur. The reaction was so 
swift and overwhelming in support of the Sacramento Jewish community. 
Just a week ago last night, over 5,000 people from every corner of our 
community gathered together to renew our community fabric. Over 50 
public officials, including Mayor Joe Serna attended; the entire 
Sacramento City Council, including Councilman Jimmie Yee, whose own 
home had been firebombed in 1993, the County Board of Supervisors, and 
every member of every clergy in our community was there to lend 
support. Abe Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation 
League and a Holocaust survivor, flew in from New York to be there. 
Seventeen people in all spoke during this three hour community service.
  There was not a single element in our community unrepresented, and 
the effect was powerful and the message was clear. Plans are already in 
motion to not only rebuild the targeted synagogues, but also to build 
them a Museum of Tolerance so we can learn from this experience and 
grow from it.

                              {time}  1615

  A proposal has been made to reinstate a program called ``A World of 
Difference'' to teach children in our public schools about culture 
diversity throughout the world and the need for tolerance. Secretary 
Andrew Cuomo came to Sacramento to announce that the Department of 
Housing and Urban Development will be able to use a special fund to 
guarantee loans to rebuild those temples.
  By supporting this resolution, Mr. Speaker, we as Members of Congress 
call attention to these efforts to make our communities whole and to 
reaffirm our opposition to cowardly acts of hate.
  When I heard of these attacks early in the morning on June 18, I 
recalled Crystal Night. Many of my colleagues are familiar with that 
terrible night in 1938 when non-Jews across Europe took to the streets, 
often going to neighboring towns where they were not known, to shatter 
the windows of synagogues and the windows of homes and shops of Jews. 
The message was, ``You are not welcome here.'' It was a pivotal

[[Page H5032]]

moment in the emergence and acceptance of the rise of anti-Semitism in 
Europe.
  Well, that night was not and will never be repeated as long as 
communities such as Sacramento come together in the way it did in the 
wake of this terrible affront to all of us.
  Let me quote in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, from the Reverend Martin 
Niemoller, who had the belief that the community was responsible for 
its own members. He was an outspoken advocate of accepting collective 
guilt for what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust. He said, ``In 
Germany, the Nazis came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up 
because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I 
didn't speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came up for the 
trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I was not a trade 
unionist. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one to 
speak up for anyone.''
  That is why we are here today to support this joint resolution on a 
bipartisan basis, and I urge the adoption of it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from 
New York (Mr. Gilman).
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this measure, H. 
Res. 226, and hopefully this resolution will help us to take an 
important step in a very important issue, the end to anti-Semitism and 
crimes of hate in our Nation.
  I commend my colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), and 
his California colleagues whose efforts and hard work have brought this 
issue to the floor today.
  As has been noted, on the evening of June 18, 1999, just a few weeks 
ago, the congregations of B'Nai Israel, Beth Shalom, and Knesset Israel 
Torah Center in Sacramento fell victim to vicious actions of hatred as 
they watched their synagogues burn to the ground.
  Today, we rise to reject such malicious actions of intolerance in our 
society and send a message to those who inflict crimes of hate on 
cultural and religious institutions as attacks on all of us. This 
resolution recognizes and applauds the Sacramento residents who have 
lent their support and assistance to the members of the synagogues and 
calls upon all Americans to categorically reject similar crimes of hate 
and intolerance. We must commit our Federal law enforcement personnel 
and resources to identify the individuals who committed these malicious 
arsons and bring them to justice.
  The synagogue not only serves as a place of prayer but also as an 
icon for the Jewish community. It serves as a home away from home and a 
place where congregants join in prayer in times of joy and tragedy. It 
is essential that we protect our Jewish communities by punishing and 
condemning those who pose a threat to these places of worship and to 
any places of worship throughout our land.
  Public demonstrations of anti-Semitism in our Nation have skyrocketed 
over the past 20 years. Our Nation has gone from 489 incidents per year 
of anti-semitic vandalism, harassments, threats and assaults in 1980 to 
a horrifying 1,611 incidents just this past year. And in a time which 
is supposed to be honored by racial and ethnic tolerance, it is yet to 
be seen in the Jewish community. Many of these anti-semitic acts have 
been directed at synagogues, the Jewish place of prayer.
  With the recent tragedy in Sacramento of three synagogues who were 
attacked by firebombs, there is no better time to deal with this issue 
than now. In the past 5 years there have been 39 displays of arson 
attacks on synagogues. These actions of anti-Semitism are unacceptable. 
It is our duty to deem these actions intolerable by condemning and by 
enacting not only proper resolutions but also by properly enforcing our 
laws.
  The misconception of hate crimes are that they affect only the group 
they are directed toward. But everyone is affected by hate crimes, not 
just the victims.
  In closing, let me note that about 5 years ago many of our colleagues 
joined with me to renounce the fire bombings of African American 
churches then plaguing the south. That was just as much an assault on 
the rights of all of us as these recent cowardly acts in Sacramento. 
Denying anyone the freedom to worship is a threat to the freedom of all 
of us. As Martin Luther King, Jr., often reminded us, an act of hatred 
directed toward one group affects all groups.
  With this in mind, let us come together as a country and condemn all 
acts of hatred.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of the time I have remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The gentleman from California 
(Mr. Matsui) has 11\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Lewis), the civil rights leader of America.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) for 
bringing this resolution to the floor. I rise to support this 
resolution and to condemn the acts of hatred and intolerance which 
require it.
  Mr. Speaker, we live in a country rich with diversity. It has been 
described as a melting pot, a mosaic, a tapestry. But what unites us as 
a Nation and as a people is our belief in our constitutional democracy 
and the right of all our citizens to live, work and worship in peace. 
We are black and white, red and yellow and brown. We are Christians, 
Muslims, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhists and much, much more. More 
importantly, we are Americans.
  The attacks on three synagogues in Sacramento, California, last week 
may have been directed against those of the Jewish faith, but they are 
not, they are an attack against all of us. They are an attack against 
America and all that she stands for. They are an attack on our 
constitution, our liberty and our freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, if this was an attack against Jews, then I am a Jew, for 
an act of violence against a synagogue is an attack on the church, an 
attack on the mosque, an attack on the temple. I, for one, will not sit 
idly by. I will not sit silent. The people who committed this crime 
will be caught, and they will be punished. Let the word go forth from 
this House, from this place, this day that there is no place in our 
great Nation for hatred, intolerance or discrimination. Let us say 
today through this resolution that we are one Nation, one House, one 
family, the American House, the American family.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Pombo).
  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to rise in strong support of 
this resolution. And I know that all the Members of the House have a 
great concern over what happened in Sacramento, but I would like to 
point out two of my colleagues, the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Matsui) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), who immediately 
saw the value in bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Last week three synagogues were burned in Sacramento, just a short 
distance away from my district. Unfortunately, crimes and especially 
ones of hate and bigotry are nothing new in this day and age, but for 
me this act of violence has hit way too close to home.
  We now know, especially after the events of World War II, that when a 
synagogue is burned, not only is it an attack on the worshipers of that 
synagogue, it is an attack on the decency and tolerance and the most 
basic of human rights. When a criminal burns a synagogue or any place 
of worship, he or she is directly assaulting our Constitution's first 
amendment, freedom of speech, which directly protects our freedom of 
religion.
  I appreciate the work that my colleagues, the civic and religious 
leaders in our community, including Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff of Temple 
Israel in Stockton, and all that my constituents have done as a result 
of these particularly disturbing crimes. They have truly come together 
as partners and peacemakers.
  Hatred is nurtured by indifference. It is often said that the easiest 
way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing, and I firmly 
believe this to be true. In light of all these senseless acts

[[Page H5033]]

of hatred, I call on all Americans to rededicate themselves to the 
daily process of promoting peaceful co-existence and tolerance, from 
the House of Representatives to houses across this country, to prevent 
crimes like these from happening again.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the comments given on the steps 
of the Stockton City Hall on June 22, 1999, by Rabbi Jason Gwasdoff of 
Temple Israel.

       Last Friday I was awakened by the telephone at about 7:15 
     a.m. When the phone rings at that hour in my house, it 
     usually means that something is wrong, that someone in my 
     congregation has died, or has been rushed to the hospital, or 
     that some bad thing has befallen a member of my own family.
       The voice at the other end of the line was Karma, our 
     Temple administrator. She told me briefly of the events that 
     transpired in Sacramento earlier that morning, about the 
     unbelievable news of three synagogues firebombed in the space 
     of 45 minutes.
       I turned on my television to catch the news and I saw a 
     horrifying sight. It was a synagogue building totally 
     engulfed in flames, a building I had visited just a few 
     months ago while visiting a friend and colleague who leads 
     that congregation.
       As you can imagine I was shocked and dismayed by what I 
     saw. I felt a rush of emotion . . . anger, sadness, 
     disbelief.
       No, it was not the first time I have seen footage of 
     synagogues in flames. That scene, unfortunately, is far too 
     familiar. You see, I've seen, like many here, I'm sure, the 
     documentaries on the Holocaust, and I've visited the museums 
     and exhibits. The history we know.
       Fifty years ago in Europe, almost all of the synagogues 
     were burned, a precursor to the extermination of two-thirds 
     of European Jewry, six million men, women, and children--
     murdered.
       But this was different. I was not watching documentary 
     footage, and these events were not 50 years, a full 
     continent, and an ocean away. This was happening right here 
     and now, just an hour away, on our back doorstep, in 
     Sacramento, in this great State of California where I was 
     born and raised, in our country of freedom and democracy and 
     pluralism, the United States of America.
       Yes, this sight of a synagogue in flames was very different 
     indeed and it had an entirely different meaning.
       When I went to my office later that morning, the inevitable 
     calls started coming in, the local newspaper and television 
     media asking for a statement, members of my congregation who 
     heard the news and wanted to talk or wondered aloud what we 
     could do to help.
       What I didn't expect or anticipate, however, was the calls 
     and visits from fellow clergy from the interfaith community 
     expressing their concern and support and outrage. They wanted 
     to make sure that I was O.K., and they wanted me to know that 
     they cared. It was a wonderful outpouring of love and 
     fellowship, a recognition that we are united in our mutual 
     concern for one another, and united on our zealousness to 
     safeguard the values upon which our country is built.
       Three synagogues were burned in Sacramento, an hour away, 
     but the message I was hearing loud and clear is that we are 
     all in this together. Anti-Semitism and bigotry, of all 
     kinds, is nothing new, but we know now, especially after the 
     events of WWII and after the events of these past few months 
     in Kosovo, that when you burn a synagogue in Sacramento, you 
     are not only attacking the Jewish people, you are attacking 
     decency and tolerance and the most basic of human rights. 
     When you burn a synagogue, you are attacking freedom of 
     worship, and freedom from fear, freedom to raise our children 
     to love God and to see God's face reflected in the faces of 
     fellow human beings.
       I am moved by the presence of my clergy colleagues here 
     today, and I thank you, my Christian and Catholic and Muslim 
     friends, and I am thankful for the presence of these 
     community leaders and fellow citizens, who have come out to 
     these steps to stand together in solidarity to make a 
     statement against hatred and intolerance. It has no place in 
     our community, not in Sacramento, and not in Stockton, not 
     anywhere in our state or nation. We send a united message 
     today to the outlaws and hate mongers, wherever they are, 
     that such acts will not be tolerated.
       The difference between a synagogue burning in Europe 50 
     years ago, and a synagogue burning in Sacramento last week, 
     is that we now have a government, and community and religious 
     leaders who will respond, and who will stand with us--who 
     will not tolerate these kinds of acts. Bigotry is nurtured by 
     indifference. There is no indifference in this gathering 
     today. And neither are we afraid. The message that I gave to 
     my congregation last Friday night, and the one I want to 
     repeat here today, is that they will not be intimidated.
       The best way to respond to these senseless acts of hatred 
     is to be strengthened in our resolve . . . to continue to 
     worship and celebrate and to cherish our rich heritage, 
     people of all faiths, and all walks of life, and to sew the 
     seeds of righteousness. That is what we will do, that is what 
     we must do.
       We will teach our children to be proud Americans, and, in 
     my community, to be proud Jews. We will teach them that they 
     are lucky to live in a country and in a time when they do not 
     have to be afraid.
       There is a famous saying in Jewish tradition that the whole 
     world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing 
     is not to be afraid. We walk together you and I, and all 
     people, on the same narrow bridge, for this is a small world 
     that we must learn to share.
       But when we support each other, when we stand united, as we 
     do today, there is no reason for us to be afraid.

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey).
  (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her 
remarks.)
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution and to 
express my personal outrage over the recent arson attacks on three 
synagogues in the Sacramento area.
  It is hard to imagine a more depraved and senseless act of violence 
than the destruction of a place of worship. These arsons struck at the 
very heart and soul of the Jewish community, but the pain and anguish 
of these fires can be felt here in Washington as well and throughout 
our Nation by people of all religions, all races and all creeds, people 
who value acceptance, who value diversity and religious freedom.
  Whether or not these arsons were coordinated, it is clear that 
hateful hostility was the driving force behind these reprehensible 
incidents. They must and they will stop.
  Every family has a right to expect that when they walk into a church, 
a synagogue or a mosque or any place of worship, they will find a place 
of prayer and quiet contemplation and not the charred remnants of a 
hateful act perpetrated by cowards in the night. We must work together 
as a Nation to safeguard the right of every American to pray in safety 
in their own house of worship.
  That is what America stands for. That is why thousands of Americans 
have laid down their lives over the centuries, Mr. Speaker, to protect 
the lives of all Americans; to protect their right to worship as they 
choose, if they choose; to worship in safety; to worship in peace and 
free of violence. To succeed in making our society free of hate, racism 
and discrimination, we cannot tolerate random acts. We must punish 
these folks based on hateful crimes.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution. I want the rest of the 
Congress to support this resolution and to pass legislation that will 
help prevent and put a stop to these hate crimes once and for all.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Bilbray).
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to rise today in support of 
this resolution, and I want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Ose) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) for bringing this 
resolution up.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution , and I 
want to thank my colleagues who will support this resolution, I am 
sure, and send a very clear and distinct message. I think we need to 
clearly define our opposition to the stupidity and the ignorance of the 
actions that have occurred around Sacramento, and not only for the 
Jewish community alone but for everyone of faith, to identify the fact 
that religious intolerance is something this country was founded to 
oppose.
  It is all too often in the recent past that we have seen acts of 
violence against religious institutions. And it does not matter, Mr. 
Speaker, under our Constitution, if that religious institution is 
Jewish, is Muslim, is Christian or is Buddhist. It is the concept that 
those of us in the United States have not only the absolute right but 
we have the responsibility to express ourselves in a spiritual way and 
to express our religious feelings, not in hiding down in some catacomb 
but in the open and in the bright daylight, and that our churches, our 
synagogues, our mosques, and our temples need to be made a figure of 
appreciation, not a target of violent, stupid attacks.

                              {time}  1630

  I am grateful for the chance to be able to articulate that issue. But 
let me just say strongly I think the people of Sacramento have built on 
this tragedy by identifying that they want to not only rebuild the 
synagogues but also to create a museum of tolerance to

[[Page H5034]]

point out the need for religious tolerance in this society.
  I want to thank both my colleagues again for bringing this up, 
because it gives us the chance to remind ourselves that religious 
tolerance is one of the building blocks that make this country as great 
as it is today.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) the chair of the California 
Congressional Delegation.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding me the time.
  Mr. Speaker, in an area where we often have political debate, this is 
one where we have bipartisan unanimity. And I appreciate it.
  I rise today on behalf of the citizens of the central coast of 
California to condemn the despicable arson attacks on the three 
synagogues in our State's capital in Sacramento. This was 
unquestionably an act of domestic terrorism, one that strikes at the 
very heart of America's founding principles, the principles of freedom 
and tolerance toward all.
  The destruction of these houses of worship, which should be safe 
havens, free of violence, was truly an act of cowards. While this 
tremendously sad loss for congregations affects us, we have to look at 
the citizens of Sacramento and the reactions of those citizens that 
have proven that the perpetrators will never, never succeed in their 
mission to terrify and silence the Jewish community.
  I have been heartened to watch the people of all religions and 
ethnicities come together to rebuild the synagogues, at the same time, 
really to rebuild the community spirit and our spirit as a Nation. Let 
us make it clear that this act has not torn this community apart but 
has united and energized them to preserve our fundamental right to 
freedom of religion. I honor their effort. On behalf of the 
constituents, I urge all law enforcement agencies involved to work 
together and to bring the criminals to swift justice.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire of the Speaker the remaining 
time on my side?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Pease). The gentleman from California 
(Mr. Matsui) has 8 minutes remaining. The gentleman from California 
(Mr. Ose) has 4\1/2\ minutes remaining.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I know of no other Members on my side who wish 
to speak. I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Matsui), and I reserve the right to close.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair corrects itself. The gentleman 
from California (Mr. Matsui) has 6 minutes remaining and has just been 
yielded an additional 4 minutes.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee) a great leader in civil rights.
  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, let me thank both the 
gentlemen from California for their kindness and, as well, the 
opportunity to come to this floor and in a most humble, bipartisan 
manner.
  I notice that the legislation talks about the acts of arson in 
Sacramento, California. But I rise, coming from Texas, to simply say 
that this vote, this statement today on the floor of the House, is a 
signal that the United States Congress collectively, with all 
backgrounds of religion, stands against this kind of hatred and 
religious persecution.
  We will not tolerate anyone believing that we would allow the simple 
law enforcement, and I know they are working steadfastly in California, 
the community of Sacramento, the religious institutions of California, 
to themselves suffer this burden alone. It is important for us to 
acknowledge that, under this flag and this floor of our glorious 
Nation, that we believe that religious freedom is the utmost of rights 
and privileges and the hateful acts of attacking a synagogue stands as 
an attack against me and all of my constituents and all of those across 
this Nation.
  Just 2 years ago, I had to face, as an African-American, the ugly 
hatred of religious persecution and racism with respect to attacks on 
black churches. All of the Nation rose up. The Jewish community was 
particularly strong and supportive, understanding what occurs. That is 
the kind of brotherhood and sisterhood this resolution represents, that 
we want all to hear that we will find them wherever they are and will 
always stand in the way of religious persecution.
  I also believe, Mr. Speaker, that this is an appropriate time that we 
can join together and have hearings on the Hate Crimes Act and pass 
that legislation, because that will be the final capping, if you will, 
that we will not tolerate these kinds of acts.
  To my law enforcement friends I say, find them, prosecute them, and 
let them understand that the Constitution of the United States and the 
resolution we pass today stands as a united document with the united 
people. We stand together for religious freedom, for religious 
opportunity, and for the Constitution and the beauty of this Nation 
that we all are created equal.
  Mr. Speaker. I rise in support of this resolution but must also state 
that we need to do more. Instead let's have a hearing for H.R. 1082, 
the ``Hate Crime Prevention Act of 1999'', and pass this legislation as 
expeditiously as possible.
  I am not against the condemnation of the arson that was committed on 
the Sacramento California area Synagogues. In actuality, I too speak 
out against this horrendous crime. This is not the first time that we 
have presented a resolution in the House. We saw this with H. Con. Res. 
187 condemning the 156 fires in houses of worship across the nation 
since October 1991; whereas there had been at least 35 fires of 
suspicious origin at churches serving African American communities.
  Of the 10,496 victims in 1995, 68 percent were targets of crimes 
against persons. Six of every 10 victims were attacked because of race, 
with bias against blacks accounting for 38 percent of the total. Only 
crimes motivated by religious bias showed a higher percentage of crimes 
against property rather than persons. Sixty-two percent of incidents 
involving victims targeted because of their religion involved crimes 
against property.
  Let's do away with expressing the sense of condemnation and put 
forward legislative action that will remedy these senseless acts of 
crime. I stand here today to say let's pass H.R. 1082, Hate Crime 
Prevention Act of 1999.
  This bill will amend the Federal criminal code to set penalties for 
persons who, whether or not acting under color of law, willfully cause 
bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or 
an explosive device, attempt to cause such injury, because of the 
actual or perceived: (1) race, color, religion, or national origin of 
any person; or (2) religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability 
of any person, where in connection with the offense, the defendant or 
the victim travels in interstate or foreign commerce, uses a facility 
or instrumentality of interstate or foreign commerce, or engages in any 
activity affecting interstate or foreign commerce, or where the offense 
is in or affects interstate or foreign commerce.
  Mr. Speaker, let me reiterate my support for this resolution to 
express a sense of condemnation. But I say we need to have a hearing 
and pass H.R. 1082, ``The Hate Crime Prevention Act of 1999''. It is by 
passing this legislation we can be known as a House of action rather 
than one of rhetoric.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, before I call my last speaker, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), I would just like to take this opportunity, as 
I said earlier, to thank the leadership for bringing this matter to the 
floor.
  I would like to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose), the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Herger), the gentleman from California (Mr. Doolittle), the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Condit) and the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Thompson) for being a unified Northern California 
delegation in favor of this resolution, but particularly the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Ose) who has taken the lead on this issue as a new 
Member of the House of Representatives.
  I also would like to thank the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) 
of the Committee on the Judiciary for yielding time to me to handle 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of the time to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos), who is a gentleman who has been well-known as 
an expert on the Holocaust, somebody that all of us in this institution 
have a great deal of respect for, and really one of the leaders in the 
area of anti-hate crimes, and in the area of tolerance in America.

[[Page H5035]]

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, let me first express my deep appreciation to 
my dear friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Matsui) and to my new 
friend the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) for taking the 
leadership on this most important issue.
  Let me identify myself, Mr. Speaker, with all of the comments across 
the political spectrum that we have heard on this issue today.
  This great magnificent and free society has many pillars on which to 
stand but none more important than freedom of religion and the respect 
for religion. And when I say ``religion,'' I mean all faiths.
  It was not too long ago that we stood in this chamber talking about 
the burning of black churches in the South. While we have made enormous 
progress in recent years in tolerance of all kinds, this past year 
there were 8,000 hate crimes committed in the United States, hate 
crimes motivated by intolerance, non-acceptance, dislike for people of 
a different gender, pigmentation, national origin, sexual orientation, 
and religion.
  Today we are here to express the united voice of this body in 
recommitting ourselves to the concept of religious freedom and to the 
absolute necessity of showing, in word and in deed, respect for all of 
our fellow citizens of whatever religious faith they may hold.
  Mr. Speaker, words of hate lead to acts of hate; and acts of hate, in 
their extreme form, escalate to mass murder, genocide, and holocaust. 
For the last 10 or 11 weeks, every night when we went home and watched 
our television, we were watching this incredible spectacle in 1999 of 
old men and old women and little children and pregnant women being 
driven out of Kosovo because of their Muslim faith, and we were 
horrified and we are horrified daily as the new evidence of brutal 
murder and mass rape are uncovered in hamlets and villages across 
Kosovo.
  We do not want to go down that road. This society, built on religious 
freedom, this society, built on the respect for the individual, must 
condemn with all the power at our command the monsters who have 
perpetrated this act of torching places of worship. No words are strong 
enough, Mr. Speaker, to denounce them. These are the scum of our 
society who are taking advantage of the freedom we all enjoy to express 
their hate for people of different ethnicity, religion, sex, or other 
aspect of their being.
  No action by this Congress, however weighty matters we may be dealing 
with, is as important in preserving our society than the action we will 
be taking on this resolution. We will stand united in saying such 
things are not acceptable and will not be accepted by the American 
people or the Congress of the United States.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining?
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) has 
4 minutes remaining.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this Sacramento Bee article is about Carmichael 
Congregation Beth Shalom's Rabbi Joseph Melamed, who was set to retire 
6 days before his synagogue burned.
  I would like to read a portion of this article discussing the Rabbi's 
courage and faith in the midst of this extreme adversity. These are the 
Rabbi's own words shortly after the arson of his synagogue.
  ``It is dangerous to society. It is a step backward in our 
civilization if this is how we are going to conduct our affairs. We 
declare our enemy without even seeing his face. That to me is an 
insult.''
  Mr. Speaker, let us reflect on the comments of Rabbi Melamed as we 
vote to condemn these cowardly acts of arson on the House floor today.

             Retiring Rabbi Teaches Peace, Not Retribution

     (By Jan Ferris, Bee Religion Writer--Published June 20, 1999)

       Rabbi Joseph Melamed of Congregation Beth Shalom has lived 
     a life rich in contrast.
       He was a grade-skipping child prodigy and a teenage 
     paramilitary guard in the waning days of British-occupied 
     Palestine. A lover of literature and an intelligence officer 
     in the Israeli Air Force. A Jew who shed his Orthodox roots 
     early on for a more modern way.
       Since Friday's arson attack on his Carmichael synagogue, 
     the 65-year-old cleric is once again on divergent paths: 
     Comforter and healer for a congregation felled by hate, and 
     celebrated spiritual leader who--in just six days--will lead 
     his last Sabbath services before retiring.
       The timing couldn't have been worse.
       ``We would have preferred a cake and candles,'' Beth Shalom 
     member Don Aron said dryly, as he stood next to the police 
     tape surrounding the building Friday.
       And yet, because of Melamed's gentle touch, and his ability 
     to turn even the most heart-rending war story or current 
     event into a parable on peace, many temple-goers say they're 
     grateful he's still around.
       Even in his Shabbat message Friday night, delivered at 
     another area synagogue that loaned worship space, Melamed 
     spoke not of retribution but of the need to ``move ahead 
     toward getting along with everybody,'' said Mozell Zarit, 
     president of Beth Shalom.
       ``He has a wonderful way of looking at events . . . and to 
     relate them to the world around us,'' she added.
       Melamed has spent just a decade at Beth Shalom. But in that 
     time, its membership has tripled to 220, with many more young 
     families than in past years. The congregation moved into new 
     quarters, with the words ``The Light of the Lord is the Soul 
     of Man'' emblazoned on the large, brown wall facing El Camino 
     Avenue. Hebrew, Jewish education and other classes for 
     children and adults have flourished.
       Jeff Levy and his family joined the temple shortly after 
     Melamed arrived, drawn in large part by his warm spirit. 
     Melamed--who earned his doctorate through Hebrew Union 
     College in Cincinnati, and whose Carmichael living room 
     boasts 13 bookcases--also possesses an ``incredible brain,'' 
     especially on Jewish issues, Levy said.
       But one of his lasting images of Melamed is of the 
     diminutive cleric who, upon learning that Levy's son has 
     begun studying martial arts, jumped in the air to demonstrate 
     a mock karate kick.
       ``I'd never seen a rabbi do that before,'' Levy said. 
     ``There's an attraction (to children) there.''
       Melamed has three children by his last wife, Rachel. His 
     own childhood was steeped in scholarship. Born in Baghdad, he 
     moved with his family to Jerusalem a few years before World 
     War II broke out. He was sent to heder, Jewish religious 
     school for the young, at age 3. By age 5, he was reading from 
     the Torah, the Hebrew Bible's first five books.
       He spent one week in first grade and three days in third 
     before fast-tracking to the fifth grade. By high school, 
     Melamed became disenchanted with the ultra-Orthodox brand of 
     Judaism practiced by his family. He began to read Russian, 
     French and other non-religious writers. He fell in love with 
     poetry. He attended high school at night and worked in a 
     bookshop by day to pay his way, distanced from his family by 
     his secular pursuits.
       When he was 13, Melamed joined Haganah, an illegal 
     paramilitary group that aimed to get the British out of then-
     Palestine. He learned how to handle grenades, pistols and 
     other weapons.
       ``The idea of being underground was very appealing, very 
     romantic,'' he recalled Friday, half-jokingly adding, ``It 
     was a way to meet girls.''
       When Israel's War of Independence broke out in 1948, 
     Melamed and the other young soldiers in his unit helped guard 
     the outskirts of Jerusalem. His commander was killed by Iraqi 
     troops. ``It was my first encounter with real fear,'' he said 
     of the whole ordeal.
       Fast-forward a few years. Melamed was working in another 
     bookstore, this time putting himself through college. 
     Rabbinic students from the United States came in once or 
     twice. He was intrigued by their modernity--in contrast to 
     the long beards, head coverings and other Orthodox customs--
     and their ability to mesh the sacred and secular.
       ``You could actually be normal and look like everybody else 
     and be a rabbi. This was not the kind of rabbi I was 
     accustomed to,'' he said.
       Within two weeks, Melamed was attending Cincinnati's Hebrew 
     Union College, the main rabbinic training ground for the 
     Reform movement, the least traditional of Judaism's three 
     main branches. His first posting was to a synagogue in 
     Panama, whose members were largely descendants of Spanish 
     Jews who secretly kept their faith alive despite mandates to 
     covert during the Inquisition.
       He stayed in Panama 11 year, helping translate a Reform 
     prayer book into Spanish. He taught Hebrew to the archbishop 
     of Panama, and helped a Catholic university develop a 
     department of Judaic studies.
       Melamed then went to Congregation B'nai Israel in Frenso. 
     One of the highlights of his decade there: a local TV show, 
     ``A New Forum of Better Understanding,'' than ran weekly for 
     six years, co-hosted by a Protestant pastor and Catholic 
     priest.
       ``His message to us has never been insular. it's always 
     been the community at large,'' said Jeff Levy. ``When he's 
     talking about the community, he's not just talking about the 
     Jewish community.''
       That approach makes events like Friday's arson attack, 
     which caused an estimated $100,000 in damage to Beth Shalom, 
     all the more hurtful and mystifying--especially for Melamed.
       ``It is dangerous to society. it is a step backward in our 
     civilization if this is how we are going to conduct our 
     affairs,'' said Melamed. ``We declare our enemy without even 
     seeing his face. That to me is an insult.''

[[Page H5036]]

       With a batmitzvah or coming-of-age ceremony for a teenage 
     congregant Saturday morning, a final service to prepare and 
     packing to do, the rabbi's final days were busy enough. Duty 
     called again at 4 a.m. Friday when he got the phone call 
     bearing bad news.
       His role, especially in the first days as the shock wears 
     off, is to listen and comfort, he said.
       ``I have learned one thing: If in a time like this I cannot 
     bring my total bearing to bear, when will I need it for?'' he 
     said. ``I don't allow something like this to take me off 
     balance, I cannot be a soldier fighting and worrying about 
     something else.''

    H. Res. 226--Condemning Arson of Three Synagogues in California

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 219 and I 
want to thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for bringing 
this important resolution to the floor so quickly. The gentleman from 
California (Mr. Lantos) and I have worked together for many years as 
Co-Chairs of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus fighting injustices, 
human rights abuses, and religious persecution around the world. I have 
spent many hours fighting for the rights of Jews in the former Soviet 
Union and other countries around the world. Nothing saddens me more 
than to stand here today and have to speak out about acts of religious 
discrimination which occurred in our own country.
  On June 18th, three synagogues in the Sacramento area were set ablaze 
within minutes of each other. Pamphlets expressing anti-Semitic 
rhetoric were found at two of the three sites. The sole purpose of this 
act of hatred was to destroy Jewish places of worship, Jewish history 
and to create an atmosphere of fear within the Jewish community.
  I commend the city of Sacramento, the state of California and the 
hundreds of individuals who have come forward in the past days, 
condemning these acts and lending their support to the congregations 
affected and the Jewish community as a whole. It is heartening to see 
that in the face of tragedy, the many who will come together and rise 
above the evil perpetrated by the few.
  We must stand up and condemn all of the hate crimes which take place 
in this country and around the world. We can not expect to be the 
leaders of democracy and freedom around the world, if we allow actions 
such as the burning of synagogues to go unnoticed on our own soil.
  Mr. HYDE. Mr. Speaker, three charred synagogues, the air thick with 
the smell of burned torahs, historical and religious books, videotapes, 
and pews, this was the scene on Friday, June 18, 1999, in the pre-dawn 
hours, at three Sacramento County, California synagogues, Temple B'nai 
Israel, Congregation Beth Shalom and Knesset Israel Torah Center. These 
houses of worship were set ablaze within the span of a half-hour. Law 
enforcement officials believe that the arson was coordinated by several 
people. It was reported that anti-Jewish fliers were found at two of 
the crime scenes.
  Arson of a place of worship is reprehensible to us as a society. We 
in Congress are unanimous in our condemnation of those who would 
express their hatred by destroying or damaging religious property. When 
a synagogue is damaged, the blow is felt not only by the congregation 
members, but by all those whose lives are touched by it: the youth who 
show up for community activities, the homeless and hungry who line up 
for food. It is not just a despicable act of hatred and cowardice, it 
is not only an attack upon the Jewish community, it is an attack upon 
all of us. It eats at the fabric of our heritage and the history of our 
nation, as a country founded in the pursuit of freedom of religion. I 
invite my colleagues to join in supporting H. Res. 226 which condemns 
these heinous acts of arson at three California synagogues.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of a 
resolution condemning the acts of arson at three Sacramento, California 
area synagogues on June 18, 1999. The destruction done to Congregation 
B'nai Israel, Congregation Beth Shalom, and Kenesset Israel Torah 
Center was malicious and willful. I urge all of my colleagues to 
support the Resolution introduced by the gentleman from California, and 
denounce these acts of hate.
  As a Jewish Member of Congress I am particularly sensitive to acts of 
anti-Semitism. The elected leaders of this great country must never 
permit these types of actions to occur. The Jewish community has 
endured a great deal of persecution throughout history, and as Members 
of Congress it is our responsibility to provide a strong voice of 
opposition to threatening acts of hate.
  The people of the 9th Congressional District, whom I have the 
privilege to represent, pride themselves on the rich diversity that our 
district boasts. Diversity in the 9th Congressional District is seen as 
a unique attribute, not a threat. The recent acts of hate perpetrated 
in Sacramento are an insult to me and to all Americans who celebrate 
the diversity and ethnic traditions from which this country has 
benefited. An attack on any place of religious worship is a threat to 
the freedom of expression and religion that we all enjoy.
  I applaud my colleagues who have taken a strong leadership role on 
this issue, and I would like to associate myself with the comments of 
those who have spoken on the House floor in support of this resolution. 
It is important for this body, and Americans across the country, to 
speak out against all crimes of hate. I am proud to support this 
resolution.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Gekas) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 226.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________