[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 185 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1825]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      OPENING OF THE MUSLIM EDUCATION TRUST CENTER, TIGARD, OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 2015

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the grand 
opening of the Muslim Educational Trust Community Center in my 
district.
   I recently had the honor of attending the ceremony and thanking 
Wajdi Said and the Muslim Educational Trust Center's Board of Directors 
for their leadership and hard work to establish this important 
Community Center.
   Now more than ever, our country needs organizations like the Muslim 
Educational Trust, whose work for the betterment of society--through 
education, cooperation, tolerance, and public awareness--transcends 
faith and bridges differences. The MET is educating the next generation 
of Muslim leaders and in the process, enhancing relations between 
Muslim and non-Muslim Oregonians.
   Like most, I condemn the hateful, closed-minded, anti-Muslim 
rhetoric that has infiltrated our public discourse. Equally disturbing 
are the reports of violence against Muslim Americans and their places 
of worship. Hate speech has always characterized darker periods of our 
history and these episodes will be similarly judged.
   Just recently, on the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution's 
13th Amendment abolishing slavery, President Obama gave a poignant 
speech in which he described the long struggle that ended slavery, and 
the battle for civil rights and basic freedoms that followed.
   The victories won by previous generations of enlightened Americans 
have had far-reaching effects. However, discrimination remains 
prevalent and has manifested itself in an attack on religious freedom.
   During his speech, President Obama remarked, ``We betray the efforts 
of the past if we fail to push back against bigotry in all its forms.'' 
And he's right--we have an obligation to our nation, itself a protest 
against oppression, to speak up for the freedoms and safety of our 
friends and neighbors.
   President Obama also said, ``Our freedom is bound up with the 
freedom of others--regardless of what they look like or where they come 
from or what their last name is or what faith they practice.'' In the 
United States, this notion is fundamental and an important part of what 
distinguishes us from many other countries.
   The Muslim Educational Trust Community Center will continue to open 
its doors to all of its neighbors, enlightening minds and building 
bridges of friendship among Muslim and non-Muslim Oregonians. I am 
pleased to extend my congratulations and pledge support against bigotry 
in all its forms.

                          ____________________