[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)] [House] [Pages H9888-H9893] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] REPUDIATING ANTI-SEMITIC SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY DR. MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, OUTGOING PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 409) repudiating the recent anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the outgoing prime minister of Malaysia, which makes peace in the Middle East and around the world more elusive. The Clerk read as follows: H. Res. 409 Whereas the outgoing prime minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, has become notorious over the years for his overt anti-Semitism and opposition to the State of Israel; Whereas Dr. Mahathir opened the 57-nation, October 2003 summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in Malaysia by characterizing Israel and Jews around the world as ``the enemy'' who ``rule the world by proxy''; Whereas incendiary rhetoric of this nature can be neither excused nor rationalized; Whereas Dr. Mahathir's anti-Semitic remarks are despicable and could serve to incite further sectarian violence; Whereas, among the 57 national representatives in attendance, none raised their voice in protest and many applauded Dr. Mahathir's statements; and Whereas President George W. Bush traveled to Thailand to attend the October 20-21, 2003, meeting in Bangkok of the leaders of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and rebuked Dr. Mahathir for his ``wrong and divisive'' remarks: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) thoroughly repudiates the damaging rhetoric of the outgoing prime minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, which embodies age-old stereotypes of Jewish global domination and grotesque anti-Semitism on an international scale; (2) reaffirms the rebuke made by President George W. Bush of Dr. Mahathir and his injurious sentiments on October 20, 2003, stating that the remarks ``stand squarely against what I believe''; (3) calls upon other governments and international bodies, notably the European Union, to condemn these remarks as dangerous incitement; and (4) deplores the tacit acquiescence of those national representatives in attendance at the October 2003 Organization of the Islamic Conference as willing complicity in spreading a message of hate and incitement against Jews. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach). General Leave Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 409. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Iowa? There was no objection. Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of a resolution repudiating the recent anti-Semitic sentiments expressed by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the outgoing Prime Minister of Malaysia. At the outset, let me thank the majority whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), as well as the distinguished minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), for their introduction of this thoroughly appropriate and timely resolution. On October 16, Dr. Mahathir, the outgoing Prime Minister of Malaysia gave an address before the summit of the Organization of Islamic Countries in Kuala Lumpur which has drawn the condemnation of decent citizens throughout the world. In a speech, the Prime Minister made the widely reported comment, ``Today the Jews rule the world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them.'' Dr. Mahathir chose to repeat Jewish conspiracy theories of world domination that first surfaced with the infamous anti-Semitic screed published in Russia by the Tsar's secret police back in 1905 known as ``The Protocols of the Elders of Zion.'' While in the same speech the Prime Minister properly rejected terrorism and urged Muslims to embrace modern knowledge and technology, he nevertheless strongly implied that he viewed Islam and the West to be in fundamental historical conflict. While the totality of the remarks might have been intended to reflect some sort of ill-perceived leadership balancing act, the fact that they were uttered, premeditatively crafted, by a modern head of state, makes them particularly irresponsible and reprehensible. They deserve the strongest condemnation. Nothing can be more damaging to peace on this fragile planet than to perpetrate the most invidious myths about any ethnic or religious group. Particularly at this time when the Middle East is a seething cauldron of tension, it is imperative that thoughtful leaders underscore the need for understanding, rather than foment thoughts that lead to conflict. Madam Speaker, it is with the deepest regret and concern that I urge passage of this resolution. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support for House Resolution 409, repudiating the recent damaging rhetoric of the outgoing Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir. Despite my steadfast and unequivocal support for this resolution, I rise today with a heavy heart. I am heavy-hearted not because I question the necessity of such a resolution, but because its necessity exists at all. I am heavy-hearted because in the year 2003 overt prejudice, racism and virulent anti-Semitism still exist. And I am heavy-hearted because I must take to the floor of the United States House of Representatives to condemn what should be an unfortunate relic of our past. To the contrary, anti-Semitism seems to grow stronger with every passing day. But I am not only heavy-hearted; I am outraged by this. Madam Speaker, there are problems to be solved, world-wide problems, and [[Page H9889]] problems at home, homelessness, joblessness, poverty, famine, drought, flood, disasters. There are people that need our help and challenges we need to confront. But instead, today we take to the floor of the House not to confront these problems, but to confront a moral outrage and an affront to world civilization, overt racism and anti-Semitism on a massive scale. This past week, Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr. Mohamad, opened a 57- nation Summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference by characterizing Israel and Jews as the enemy who rule the world by proxy. He continued by calling worldwide Jewry an arrogant people who forget to think and will continue to spread oppression and domination. {time} 1730 Prime Minister Mohamad has made what amounts to a call for a global war against the Jewish people and a holy war against the State of Israel. This is incendiary rhetoric of the worst kind. It is scapegoating, and it is racist, and it serves only as an incitement to violence and death and destruction. Not only are the comments of this nature dangerous and morally repugnant, they are beyond the pale of civilized dialogue. Nine decades ago, my grandparents walked across Europe to come to this great country. They sought a better life for their family and a better future for their children and their grandchildren. They came with nothing more than the clothes on their back, fleeing prejudice and hardship and oppression and, had they remained, almost certain death by the hands of the Nazis. It has been 90 years since my grandparents came to this great country. In those 90 years, we have won two world wars, conquered the evil of totalitarianism, and congratulated ourselves for a new era of globalism and plurality in which we celebrate our differences and embrace our diversity. Americans believed that the rest of the world have been celebrating with us. How wrong we have been. The senseless, mindless hatred and prejudice that my grandparents experienced in Europe still exists today. It exists in the burning of synagogues worldwide. It exists in the attacks on Holocaust memorials in Europe, and it exists in remarks made by a head of state at a conference, remarks that not one of the 57 nations in attendance, not one, raised a voice of protest over or left the room in disapproval or disgust. As world leaders and elected officials, we share a great responsibility. We are looked to for wisdom and guidance. In times of crisis, we are called upon to lead with fortitude and courage. In times of sadness, we are called to lead with strength and conviction, and in times of joy, we are called to lead with our hearts, but never, never are we called to lead with hatred. Words and actions by an elected leader have far-reaching consequences. They have the power to make policy, and they have the power to change hearts and minds. National leaders must set an example. Not only are the unconscionable statements of the Prime Minister damaging in their own right, and they are, they are damaging at this critical time as the Palestinians and the people of Israel struggle to form a lasting peace. By inflaming tensions between the Islamic and the Jewish world with hatred-filled bigotry, he has only helped to make an all-too-elusive peace more difficult to achieve. Once again, he has attempted to delegitimize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish State and demonize the Jewish people. I am pleased that we will be voting today to condemn the offensive and damaging rhetoric of the Prime Minister. His words and the thoughts behind them are inexcusable. I am also pleased that we will be condemning the violence of other world leaders, silence that in the past has been deadly to millions. I call upon my colleagues to join us in taking this strong stand against bigotry and intolerance, racism and anti-Semitism. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs. Mrs. LOWEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for her very strong, important statement and for offering this resolution. I join my colleagues in condemning the hate-filled speech given by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at the opening of the 10th Organization of the Islamic Conference in Malaysia on October 16. Many of my colleagues and I signed the letter that was sent to the Prime Minister directly, and today, we pass this resolution to make clear that the House of Representatives repudiates the Prime Minister's message of hate and intolerance. In my judgment, the Malaysian Prime Minister's speech was a failure of leadership. At a conference focused on issues confronting Islamic Nations around the world, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad missed the chance to set a positive and constructive tone by talking about how more Islamic Nations can achieve prosperity and development and what those achievements would mean for the Islamic people around the world. But, sadly, the Prime Minister did not take the opportunity to call for better educational opportunities or greater investment in Islamic countries or better trade, health care and economic development, all essential elements when creating stability and prosperity. The Prime Minister could have done such good, set an example, as Malaysia has done before, by discussing the Arab Human Development Reports, which place strong emphasis on increasing freedom, knowledge and women's empowerment. The Prime Minister's speech should have been a call for tremendous improvements in these areas. Instead, he gave a caustic, intolerant, hateful statement against Jews and Israel. What a tragic, missed opportunity. Following the negative sentiments of the Prime Minister will lead to more years of poverty, oppression and hate. I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution, and I urge the leaders of the world who support economic development and educational opportunities as the best way to a secure future to make themselves heard in opposition to the Prime Minister's speech. Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 4\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), our Democratic whip and an original cosponsor of H. Res. 409. Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Nevada for yielding me the time, and I congratulate her for her leadership on this critically important issue. She is the principal author of this resolution, and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) and I are pleased to join her in this important statement. Mr. Speaker, I also want to associate myself with the very thoughtful remarks of the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) on this issue. I rise to also thank the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), my friend and counterpart on the Republican side of the aisle, the majority whip, for working with us closely and ensuring that this resolution, which is nothing less than a shared expression of our American values, receives prompt consideration tonight. Madam Speaker, intolerance based on one's religious belief, ethnicity and race is a poison that has coursed throughout the body of human history, and it has caused untold suffering, pain and strife. This great Nation itself, Madam Speaker, was settled by people who fled religious persecution, and I submit that we, the elected Representatives of the strongest and freest Nation on earth and the progeny of that proud legacy, have a moral responsibility to expose and combat such intolerance and prejudice wherever and whenever it rears its head. On Thursday, October 16, as has been said, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made hateful and repugnant anti-Semitic remarks at the Islamic Summit Conference, and those remarks deserve and demand our condemnation in this resolution today. Among other things, the Prime Minister stated, ``The Europeans killed 6 million Jews out of 12 million, but today, the Jews rule the world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them.'' He added that, ``They,'' referring to the Jews, ``have now gained control of the most powerful countries, and they, this tiny community, have become a world power.'' He urged Islamic Nations to unite against being ``defeated [[Page H9890]] by a few million Jews.'' And throughout his remarks, he referred to Jews as the enemy. Madam Speaker, these anti-Semitic comments are not simply outrageous and hateful, they are divisive and dangerous. They serve only to foment the destructive lie preyed upon by Hitler and other anti-Semites throughout history, the baseless accusation of a Jewish conspiracy to control the world, to which the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) referred to earlier, and we, without question, must emphatically and without reservation, and in the strongest possible terms we can summon, reject these toxic untruths. But let me add, Madam Speaker, that what is perhaps even more disturbing, as the gentlewoman from Nevada has so correctly pointed out, more disturbing than one man's malignant invective and his ignorance of the Jewish people's persecution today and throughout history, more disturbing is the fact that he received a standing ovation from many of the leaders of Muslim Nations in attendance. Not only as the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley) pointed out did they not walk out, they applauded. They applauded approval. Madam Speaker, that must be unacceptable, not just in this land but throughout the world. Agreeing with or acquiescing in such religious and ethnic bigotry is every bit as dangerous as an incitement to it, and neither the acquiescence nor the incitement can go unchallenged in the civilized world. As the British politician Edmund Burke wrote more than 200 years ago, ``The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'' We must not do that. I thank the gentlewoman for her time. Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland for those poignant remarks, and I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from American Samoa (Mr. Faleomavaega), the ranking member on the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific. (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me the time. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Berkley), my good friend, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), my good friend, as chief sponsors of this legislation, and I also want to thank my colleague and good friend the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), the chairman of our the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the Committee on International Relations. Madam Speaker, I rise to lend my support to the provisions of H. Res. 409 to repudiate the comments made recently by Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad of the Republic of Malaysia. The prime minister's speech was given on October 16, about 2 weeks ago, at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Nations. The conference was held in Malaysia and was attended by heads of states and government leaders and other political leaders from some 57 nations whose majority populations are followers of Islam. Madam Speaker, Prime Minister Mohamad claimed that his speech was taken out of context. So I thought perhaps, in fairness to him, I would read his speech in its entirety, which I did, but I thought perhaps we also needed to examine the Prime Minister's prior statements, this very issue of anti-Semitic, this hatred of the people who are of Jewish ancestry. What I found out was a consistent pattern of anti-Semitic statements. There was a great article in the Boston Globe written recently by Mr. Jeff Jacoby, who did some research on Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's utterances as a political leader of Malaysia. Thirty years ago, Prime Minister Mohamad wrote, ``The Jews are not merely hook-nosed, but understand money instinctively.'' The same Prime Minister, Madam Speaker, described the Jewish people as monsters. In 1994, this same Prime Minister issued a ban in Malaysia not to show the movie Schindler's List because it showed too much favoritism towards the Jewish people, and in 1997, the same Prime Minister also accused an American businessman, an investor by the name of Mr. George Soros, as the cause of Malaysia's economic instability and currency collapse, specifically citing Mr. Soros as the ``Jew who triggered the currency plunge'' and coincidentally citing that he is Jewish. Madam Speaker, this is not the first time Prime Minister Mohamad has made hateful and bigoted statements against the Jewish people. How convenient it is for a Muslim political leader like Prime Minister Mohamad to always blame the Jewish people for the failures of Muslim political leaders to solve the many socioeconomic problems that concurrently confront the needs of some 1.3 billion people who are associated with Islam or the Muslim religion. {time} 1745 Prime Minister Mahathir claims that the Jews rule this world by proxy. I say, in response to such an outrageous statement by the Prime Minister, the contributions over the years by those of the Jewish ancestry have been truly a blessing to our world community. In the fields of medicine, of law and of physics, literature, and social sciences, I need only to mention the name of Dr. Jonas Salk, who discovered the cure for the dreaded disease of polio, the names of Dr. Albert Einstein, Dr. Teller, and Dr. Oppenheimer as the founding fathers of modern nuclear physics and the theory of relativity. Time will not allow me to elaborate further the many positive contributions made for the benefit of mankind by those in the Jewish community given generously to the world community. Suffice it to say to political leaders like Prime Minister Mahathir, if it was your intention to tell your fellow Muslims that the sacred writings contained in the Koran have been misinterpreted by your own Muslim scholars, and partly the reason why there is so much divisiveness among your own adherers to Islam, then say so; but do not blame the Jewish community for your own failures. Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope as we contemplate the beginning of this sacred month called Ramadan among the adherents of Islam as a period of fasting and prayer and for greater patience and greater love towards all mankind, which in my humble opinion is the essence and the heart and soul of the religion of Islam as taught by the prophet Mohammed some 400 years ago, I do not believe, Madam Speaker, that Prime Minister Mahathir's statement reflects the real meaning and teachings of Islam. This resolution will announce to the world that this institution, the Congress of the United States of America, will not tolerate and does not support the Prime Minister's statement. And I also reflect upon statements made earlier by my colleague, that I too remember what was said by Martin Luther King, Jr., years ago: ``At the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.'' Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to my distinguished colleague, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk). Mr. KIRK. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding me this time, and I want to raise my voice in opposition to what Prime Minister Mahathir said. He is a racist, a bigot, and an anti-Semite who represents his country very poorly, a country which depends on international trade. Madam Speaker, let me read some of the names of Malaysian companies who depend on U.S. trade. It is these companies whose livelihoods are now threatened by the remarks of their own Prime Minister: Telekom Malaysia, Maxis, Celcom, Digi, Time dotCom, Jaring, Celcom Berhad, Mimos Berhad, and Proton, all of whose business in the United States is now threatened by the remarks of the Malaysian Prime Minister. If the Malaysian Prime Minister continues, he threatens Malaysian jobs in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Seremban, Ioph and Kuching. It is something that he should think very clearly about, understanding that so many people in his country depend on trade with the United States. We have been very disappointed by this speech and very disappointed also by the reaction of one of our friends in the Middle East, Egypt, and the comments of their foreign minister, who, when he read Prime Minister Mahathir's statement, said, ``I saw nothing controversial in the statement.'' [[Page H9891]] Now, we are subjecting Malaysian exporters to a withering analysis, and their dependence on the U.S. market is now in jeopardy. I would hope that the Government of Egypt would think twice before that same kind of analysis applies to their own exports. For us here, the message should go forth to the Malaysian Government: Your exports are now at risk, and jobs which depend on the U.S. market are in jeopardy. Continue down this road, and you continue down a road of unemployment for Malaysian jobs. Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo). Ms. BORDALLO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this time, and I rise in support of House Resolution 409. I too want to associate myself with the remarks of my colleagues. We should speak out against anti-Semitic and prejudice comments made by any leader of the world, or anyone for that matter. Just this past weekend, I met with the Jewish community of Guam and shared with them my wonderful impressions of my recent visit to Israel. Guam is located in the Asia-Pacific area, and I am very concerned, Madam Speaker, with intolerance or any kind of racism in our region of the world. Ms. BERKLEY. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and before I yield time back to the majority to close, I would like to thank the majority whip, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the minority whip, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), as well as the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Cantor), the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for helping to move this legislation to the floor and helping to ensure its quick passage. I am pleased this was handled in a bipartisan manner, and I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for their assistance. I also want to thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk) as well. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. In conclusion, let me first thank the gentlewoman from Nevada for her tremendous leadership on this issue. Second, let me, in a broad way, stress that philosophically the three great monotheistic religions of the world, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are each rooted in the Ten Commandments. They embrace the Ten Commandments. And the Ten Commandments, above anything else, outline how we should live together in society; and they are doctrines of love and compassion, not hatred and revenge. One of the things we are all going to have to think through in all societies is how we emphasize what brings us together and not what tears us apart. Fundamentally, what is of deep concern to this body is that a leader of a great Muslim country, a country with which we are very close, a leader who is considered one of the most modern leaders in the Muslim world, has uttered words that, from an American perspective, seem out of context with the times, with good judgment, and with decency. What we have to emphasize to our friends, as well as to ourselves, is that we are going to have to think through differences in the world in such ways that we can reach compromise, based on a set of feelings that bring us together. Unfortunately, these remarks seem to move in the other direction. It is extremely unusual--not unprecedented but virtually unprecedented--that the Congress of the United States would deal with a resolution about the words of a head of state of another democracy, a country which we admire, yet we are obligated to do just that today because we want to bring the world together. So we say to Dr. Mahathir, we hope you repent and think through these words. We also say that we are willing to listen to differences of judgment, but we want to listen to differences of judgment that are based on decency in values, not in intolerance of views. It is this decency of values that we want to emphasize at this time. Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise with great concerns over this legislation--both over its content and what it represents. First, I think it is absurd that the U.S. Congress believes it has the responsibility and authority to rectify the inappropriate statements of individuals in foreign countries. Have we moved beyond meddling in the internal affairs of foreign countries--as bad as that is--to even meddling in the very thoughts and words of foreign leaders and citizens? It is the obligation of the U.S. Congress to correct the ``wrong thoughts'' of others that have nothing to do with the United States? Additionally, is it our place to demand that other sovereign states, such as the members of the European Union, react as we say they must to certain international events? More troubling than what is stated in this legislation, however, is the kind of thinking that this approach represents. The purpose of this legislation is to punish inappropriate thoughts and speech--to free debate on difficult topics and issues. In this, it contains a whiff of totalitarian thinking. This legislation advances the disturbing idea that condemnatory speech that does not explicitly incite violence is nevertheless inherently dangerous. It asserts that even debating controversial topics inevitably leads to violence. This is absurd on its face: it is only debate that leads us to come to understandings over controversial topics without violence. That is why nations engage in diplomacy. Those who feel aggrieved over an issue can either broach the issue through discussion and debate or they can attempt to address the grievance through the barrel of a gun. Which is preferable? I think the answer is self-evident. Once persuasion is taken from the realm of possibility, the only approach left to address grievances is violence. Is the prime minister of Malaysia wrong in his statements? Debate him. Invite him to one of the various multilateral gatherings with someone who disagrees with him and have a debate and discussion over the issue. This approach is much more likely to result in a peaceful resolution of the dispute than what we are doing here: a blanket condemnation and a notice that certain difficult issues are not subject to any inappropriate thoughts or statements. This is chilling for a nation that prides itself on its tradition of protecting even the most distasteful of speech. Dr. Mahathir has long been known for his statements on the Middle East. His views are no secret. Yet even President Bush, who invited Prime Minister Mahathir to Washington in May, 2003, chose the path of debate over blanket condemnation. President Bush said at a joint press conference that, ``we'll also talk about the Middle East, and I look forward to hearing from the Prime Minister on the Middle East. So we'll have a good discussion.'' Abandoning our beliefs and traditions-- especially those regarding the right to hold and express even abhorrent thoughts and ideas--when it comes to our foreign relations is hardly the best way to show the rest of the world the strength of our system and way of life. A careful reading of the prime minister's speech did not find any explicit calls for violence. Actually, Dr. Mahathir called for Muslims around the world to cease using violence to seek their goals. He stated, ``is there no other way than to ask our young people to blow themselves up and kill people and invite the massacre of more of our own people?'' Also, he advises against ``revenge'' attacks and urges Muslims to ``win [the] hearts and minds'' of non-Muslims including ``Jews...who do not approve of what the Israelis are doing.'' While we may agree or disagree with the cause that Dr. Mahathir espouses, the fact that he calls for non-violent means to achieve his goals is to be commended rather than condemned. This is not to agree with every aspect of his address--and certainly not to agree with some of the ridiculous statements contained therein--but rather to caution against the kind of blanket condemnation that this legislation represents. Do we not also agree with his words that Muslim violence in the Middle East has been counterproductive? President Bush himself in May invited Dr. Mahathir to the White House to, in the president's words, ``publicly thank the Prime Minister for his strong support in the war against terror.'' I strongly believe that we need to get out of the business of threatening people over what they think and say and instead trust that our own principles, freedom and liberty, can win out in the marketplace of ideas over bigotry and hate. When the possibility of persuasion is abandoned, the only recourse for the aggrieved is violence. Haven't we seen enough of this already? Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Madam Speaker, I rise to strongly condemn the hateful anti-Semitic slurs made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad in his October 16 address to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. In his address, Prime Minister Mohammad called Israel, and I quote, ``the enemy allied with the most powerful nations.'' He also said, and again I quote, that ``the Jews rule the world by proxy'' and that ``the Muslims will forever be oppressed and dominated by the Europeans and the Jews.'' [[Page H9892]] Madam Speaker, there is no place in international diplomacy for this baseless and hateful rhetoric. World leaders have a great responsibility to avoid the use of such incendiary rhetoric that could incite further hatred or violence against any racial or ethnic minority. This kind of hatred and scapegoating, including the blaming of Jews for all the ills of the Muslim world, has no place in civilized society, especially by elected officials. Words and actions, especially at a conference such as this, have far reaching consequences--they not only have the power to make policy, they have the power to change hearts and minds. To blame Israel and the Jewish people for problems and difficulties experienced by other cultures is wrong and has led to senseless bloodshed and violence, including the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s. These words are especially damaging at a crucial time when the Palestinian people and Israel struggle to reach a lasting peace. Actions that inflame tensions between the Islamic and Jewish worlds serve only to make that struggle become complicated and the all-too- elusive peace more difficult to achieve. Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 409, which condemns the appalling anti-Semitic remarks made by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during his keynote address at the recent Islamic Summit Conference. Sadly, Dr. Mahathir's remarks were only a culmination of years of bitter anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric that have been hallmarks of his political career. Only months ago, he handed out the Protocols of the Elders of Zion during his political party's annual meeting. When the Asian financial crisis caused the collapse of the Malaysian currency, Dr. Mahathir often used Jews as scapegoats for political and economic setbacks claiming that they were the result of a Jewish conspiracy. In a 1986 speech he stated that ``the expulsion of Jews from the Holy Land 2,000 years ago and the Nazi oppression of Jews have taught them nothing. If anything at all, it has transformed the Jews into the very monsters that they condemn.'' While Dr. Mahathir's outrageous comments have caused fury in the past, the reaction to this speech by the leaders of the Islamic world dangerously signals the mainstream acceptance of his hateful and extremist views. In the days following the conference Dr. Mahathir's remarks were glorified in the Saudi newspaper Ar-Riyadh, deemed ``brilliant'' by the supposedly moderate President Mohammad Khatami of Iran, affirmed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, admired by the Foreign Minister of Egypt, and defended by the Foreign Minister of Yemen. Just as troubling as this effusive praise was the silence that followed from the leaders of most Western European nations. These countries have seen first-hand an alarming rise of anti-Semitic attacks because of the explosion of anti-Semitic hatred and intolerance in European Muslim communities. They lived through the Holocaust and World War II and should know they must not repeat the mistake again of silence and/or participation in anti-Semitism. Although Dr. Mahathir's reign is thankfully coming to an end, the international community must recognize the pervasive growth of anti- Semitic and anti-Western literature, television shows, and political platforms in Arab and Muslim countries and take action. If not, the world will suffer the consequences for generations to come. Mr. CROWLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution. The statements made by the Prime Minister of Malaysia are shocking and show the anti-Semitism that exists around the world and is unfortunately growing at a frightening rate. Even after nations from around the world condemned his remarks, Dr. Mahatir continued to make anti-Semetic statements claiming that our condemnations of his remarks proved his statements to be true. That is just simply ridiculous. Madam Speaker, his statements only poison the thoughts of people, and incite hatred toward the Jewish people. While I would like to say that his remarks were unusual or surprising, the fact of the matter is that these sort of inflammatory remarks have become standard for the Malaysian Prime Minister. It is truly disheartening that the tremendous economic success of the Malaysian people is being overshadowed by the outrageous comments of its Prime Minister. It is sad but fitting that these forceful comments will be the most recent and strongest of memories of Dr. Mahatir as he begins his retirement. Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 409, and to join my colleagues in repudiating Dr. Mahathir Mohamad for his recent comments made to the Organization of the Islamic Conference. It is distressing to me that an individual such as Dr. Mohamad--often portrayed as a moderate Muslim leader--would feel the need to issue what I view as a call to arms to the Muslim world. In doing so, his characterization of Jews as vast cabal that ``rules the world by proxy'' serves no constructive purpose whatsoever. Rather, it merely perpetuates hateful and destructive millennia-old sterotypes that have long made Jewish people scapegoats for any number of societal ills. I call upon my colleagues to join me in condemning the anti-Semitic comments of Dr. Mohamad, and I echo the language of H. Res. 409 in calling on the European Union to also repudiate these remarks. I thank Mr. Blunt for his leadership in bringing this timely resolution to the floor, and urge my fellow members to give it their full support. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 409 that condemns the anti-Semitic remarks made by outgoing Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. As a Member who is actively trying to support understanding between the Islamic world and the West, I am disturbed by the Prime Minister's derogatory comments. There can be no room for anti-Semitic or bigoted speech by any head of state. The Prime Minister's speech touting the idea that ``Jews rule the world by proxy'' was inappropriate and deserves the reprimand of this body. Such comments cannot be justified; they only serve to fulfill a hateful myth about the Jewish people. Furthermore, his allusion to the Holocaust and the 6 million Jews who died in Europe is deeply disturbing. The fact that the Jewish people survived the horror of the Holocaust should not be looked upon as proof of a global conspiracy, but instead as a story of hope for people who have suffered through oppression. Prime Minister Mahatir's speech marked the opening of the 57-nation Islamic Summit being held in Malaysia. Had he not made his anti-Semitic remarks, many in this body would have considered his speech monumental. I welcomed his call for Muslims to end the use of suicide bombing. Furthermore, his comments that strict theological interpretations of the Koran had tainted its message showed that he could be a progressive leader. However, any progress made in his speech was crushed by this blatantly anti-Jewish remarks. The Muslim world will not be able to flourish if it holds the Jewish people responsible for all its ills. The Islamic Summit provided an opportunity for Islamic nations to condemn terrorism and open dialogue with the Jewish people; instead Prime Minister Mahathir's speech only furthered ignorance. The continued dissemination of anti-Semitic rhetoric by leaders of Islamic nations can only weaken the chances for peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Comments such as those made by Prime Minister Mahathir taint the minds of both the Palestinians and Israelis. We cannot hope to achieve peace when both sides are continually made to believe they are mortal enemies. Nations such as Malaysia should act as intermediary promoting dialogue and understanding between both the Palestinians and Israelis. This is why it is important that the new Malaysian government distance itself from the comments made by the outgoing prime minister. In fact all Islamic nations need to take this opportunity to condemn all forms of hatred against the Jewish people. I welcomed President Bush's condemnation of Prime Minister Mahathir's remarks made at the Islamic Summit in Malaysia. However, President Bush must also take this opportunity to censure and reassign Lieutenant General William Boykin for the derogatory remarks he made against Muslims. General Boykin's assertion that this war against terrorism is a war between Christians and Muslims must not be allowed to stand. We must condemn all forms of bigoted speech especially when they are made by a high-ranking member of our military. President Bush must take this action in part to demonstrate to people like Prime Minister Mahathir that their skewed view of the United States is wrong. It is due to my dismay over Prime Minister Mahathir's speech that I recently signed on to a letter with a number of my colleagues asking him to apologize for his anti-Semitic remarks. Unfortunately, he has not apologized and in fact has defended his outrageous remarks. It is due to this stance that this entire body must support H. Res. 409. Mr. LEACH. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Biggert). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Leach) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 409. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of those present have voted in the affirmative. Mr. LEACH. Madam 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 [[Page H9893]] proceedings on this motion will be postponed. ____________________