[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 155 (Thursday, October 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2159]
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

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                               speech of

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 409 
that condemns recent anti-Semitic remarks by the Prime Minister Dr. 
Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia.
  Unfortunately, rather than openly condemn the Prime Minister for his 
remarks, many in the global community have remained largely silent on 
this issue. By not taking a stand against hateful speech, the 
international community is showing that it is okay for world leaders to 
promote bigotry and violence. By not taking a stand, members of the 
European Union and other world leaders are showing that other acts of 
hate speech will be allowed to continue without consequence.
  That is why it is critical that Congress takes a stand and denounces 
these remarks and I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. It 
is important that we go on record to show that this type of hatred and 
bigotry is unacceptable--especially by world leaders who are expected 
to set an example for their people.
  By allowing these hateful remarks to go unacknowledged, that makes it 
that much more difficult to bring opposing sides together in the Middle 
East and puts us that much further from an eventual peace agreement.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 409.

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