[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8144-S8145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SENATE RESOLUTION--CONDEMNING THE ACTS OF ARSON AT THE THREE 
 SACRAMENTO, CA, AREA SYNAGOGUES ON JUNE 18, 1999, AND CALLING ON ALL 
    AMERICANS TO CATEGORICALLY REJECT CRIMES OF HATE AND INTOLERANCE

  Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Daschle, and Mr. 
Abraham) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and 
agreed to:

                              S. Res. 136

       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 sancitity 
     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

[[Page S8145]]

       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (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 pursuant to 
     existing Federal authority 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 of hate and intolerance.

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