[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 163 (Saturday, December 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2566]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE THAT SYMBOLS AND TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS 
                          SHOULD BE PROTECTED

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Mr. HOLT. Madam. Speaker, I am troubled and disappointed that this 
resolution concerning Christmas is before the House today. It is a 
solution in search of a problem, it is divisive, and it comes at the 
cost of substantive issues that should be addressed.
  There is a sad irony in this resolution. Christmas is supposed to be 
a season of goodwill, bringing people together, a holiday that brings 
out the best in us, and encourages us to reach out to our fellow man. 
Instead, this resolution was created simply so the Majority could pat 
itself on the back. It is a straw man, and should not have been 
considered by the House because it is needlessly divisive and 
inappropriate.
  It comes as a surprise to no one, I'm sure, that as a Christian, I 
support and look forward to celebrating Christmas with my friends and 
family. But this is beside the point. More importantly, I support and 
respect the right of my fellow citizens to celebrate religion as they 
chose.
  The House floor should not be manipulated so one group or members can 
revel in their own sanctimony. What makes America a great and free 
society is our system of government and our Constitution, which 
provides each citizen with broad, basic rights and freedoms. One of 
these is freedom of religion. This right treats all religions, and the 
lack of religion, equally. Yet today in this resolution, the House 
singles out one religion over the others, and defends one religious 
holiday at the expense of others. I wish this resolution had not come 
to the floor.
  Just over a month ago, the House of Representatives unanimously 
supported a resolution that I sponsored which stressed the need for 
continuing interreligious dialogue and respect. Rather than 
``protecting'' one specific religious holiday, we should protect and 
defend all of them. And we should honor the right of every citizen to 
celebrate or not celebrate these religious holidays as they chose. We 
should support and protect Hanukah, Kwanza, Diwali, and all other 
religious holidays. It is my experience that the American people are 
much more respectful of each other's differences than the House may 
believe. They do not need to be told to respect the symbols of 
Christmas. They already do, just as they respect other religions.
  Rather than creating a false argument over Christmas, the House 
should honor the spirit of Christmas through its own actions. Christmas 
is not about trees and candy canes, it is about a spirit of giving and 
helping those who need help. If the House wants to do something about 
Christmas, it should protect the various federal programs the Majority 
is trying to cut, such as food stamps, Medicaid, and money to help low 
income families pay their home heating bills. Ending the cuts on these 
essential programs for the poor and disadvantaged in our society would 
truly honor Christmas.
  I will vote present on this resolution because it does not belong on 
the House floor.

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