[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 105 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H5509-H5510]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CELEBRATING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WEEK

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today marks the beginning 
of Religious Freedom Week.
  Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right and protected by our 
Constitution. The First Amendment's protection of freedom of religion, 
along with the freedom of speech and the press, afford us the 
opportunity to have open and thoughtful debates on the floor of the 
House every day, and it protects the space in which members of all 
religions can peacefully join together and solve the world's most 
pressing issues.
  For thousands of years, people have sought the freedom to practice 
their religion without the fear of persecution. Since our founding, we 
have continued to recognize freedom for all.
  Our great Nation and its foundation of freedom and liberty for all 
were conceived by individuals in search of religious freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States of America will always be a beacon of 
light in the world, and we will always

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protect our fundamental unified commitment of religious freedom. It is 
a central part of what makes us exceptional and affords our citizens 
the right to live in a free society.

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