[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 18 (Tuesday, February 14, 2006)]
[House]
[Pages H240-H241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                           RESPECT RELIGIONS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as co-chair of the Pakistan 
Caucus, it saddens me to see the loss of life that has occurred and the 
violence that is raging throughout the Muslim world and as well in 
Pakistan.
  It would seem appropriate that the Danish Government and the Prime 
Minister would spend less time pointing a finger at fundamentalist 
Islamic activities and groups and really speak to the hundreds of 
millions of Muslims around the world who are peace-loving and believing 
in humankind and, of course, the world humanity.
  It is appropriate to admit mistakes; it is appropriate to announce 
the fact that I am appealing to the Muslims who believe in peace and 
harmony in the words of the Koran. It would be appropriate to say that 
we made a mistake in degrading the religion, that we do have a respect 
for diversity and religion.
  It would not be to undermine the fact of the first amendment, to be 
able to

[[Page H241]]

acknowledge that a mistake has been made. It would be the same way of 
acknowledging if the degradation of other religions were to occur and 
many voices would rise. Why not admit that the cartoons were degrading 
of a religion. It did not show the appreciation of religion and, in 
fact, we can all do better.
  We have a respect for each other's differences, and we join together 
in harmony and world peace. I would ask the Danish Government to stop 
hiding behind the first amendment or at least the premise of free 
speech and deal with the question of religious diversity and 
appreciation.

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