[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 172 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6126-H6129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
AFFIRMING THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES
FOR THE RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC MINORITY SURVIVORS OF GENOCIDE IN IRAQ
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
[[Page H6127]]
resolution (H. Res. 554) affirming the nature and importance of the
support of the United States for the religious and ethnic minority
survivors of genocide in Iraq, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 554
Whereas national, ethnic, religious, and linguistic
minorities and indigenous peoples, including Yezidis,
Turkmen, Shabak, Sabaean-Mandeans, Kaka'i, and indigenous
Christians (including Chaldean, Syriac, Assyrian, Armenian,
and Melkite communities), among others, have been an integral
part of the cultural fabric and history of Iraq and the
broader Middle East;
Whereas these same religious and ethnic minorities have
made and continue to make invaluable contributions to the
prosperity and well-being of societies across the Middle East
and the world, including in the United States;
Whereas, according to the 2017 Report on International
Religious Freedom, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
(``ISIS'') is responsible for carrying out a ``campaign of
violence against members of all faiths, in particular non-
Sunnis'';
Whereas ethnic and religious minorities were subjected to
innumerable atrocities by ISIS, including forced religious
conversion, kidnapping, slavery, human trafficking, unlawful
forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, torture, sexual
violence, and sex trafficking, among other crimes;
Whereas the Secretary of State declared on March 17, 2016,
and on August 15, 2017, that ISIS is responsible for
genocide, crimes against humanity, and other atrocities
against religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq and
Syria, including Shia Muslims, Christians, and Yezidis, among
other religious and ethnic groups;
Whereas the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and
Accountability Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-300) affirms that
it is the policy of the United States to ensure that
assistance for religious and ethnic minorities is directed
towards those most in need, including those that the
Secretary of State declared were targeted for genocide,
crimes against humanity, or war crimes, and have been
identified as being at risk of persecution, forced migration,
genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes;
Whereas members of these religious and ethnic minority
communities continue to face daily insecurity,
discrimination, and hardship;
Whereas religious and ethnic minorities continue to face
significant challenges to returning to their ancestral
homelands, including in Mosul, Baaj, Sinjar, the Nineveh
Plain, and other Yezidi places, due to security concerns,
economic hardship, and shifting demographics; and
Whereas the restoration and stabilization of these regions
will provide an opportunity for diverse ethnic and religious
communities to flourish: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) commits to protecting and upholding internationally
recognized human rights of members of religious and ethnic
minority communities;
(2) supports the restoration of security, stability, and
economic opportunity of, as well as the safe, dignified, and
voluntary return of, internally displaced persons, including
those originally from the territories of Mosul, Baaj, Sinjar,
and the Nineveh Plain;
(3) supports the restoration of religious and cultural
heritage sites in Iraq, including, churches, and other
religious sites, and community buildings of religious and
ethnic minority communities in these regions; and
(4) supports equal and inclusive representation for
religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq in line with
article 125 of the Constitution of Iraq and encourages the
Secretary of State to promote opportunities for affected
minority groups to further that objective.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Guam (Mr. Moylan) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Guam.
General Leave
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include
extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Guam?
There was no objection.
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bipartisan resolution
addressing ongoing challenges that face religious and ethnic minorities
in Iraq after ISIS' brutal genocide.
ISIS overran wide swaths of Iraq and Syria 10 years ago, subjecting
millions of people to their so-called caliphate.
ISIS perpetrated widespread atrocities, including forced religious
conversion, kidnapping, slavery, human trafficking, unlawful forced
displacement, ethnic cleansing, torture, sexual violence, and sex
trafficking. Religious and ethnic minority groups were singled out and
subjected to particular cruelty.
The United States repeatedly found that ISIS is responsible for
genocide, crimes against humanity, and other atrocities against
religious and ethnic minority groups in Iraq and Syria, including Shia
Muslims, Christians, and Yazidis.
Just this year, a Yazidi woman was rescued in Gaza. She had been
kidnapped at the age of 11 by ISIS. She was held in captivity for 10
years.
While ISIS no longer rules over these communities, the caliphate left
widespread damage, displacement, and trauma. Religious and ethnic
minorities continue to face widespread discrimination and displacement
in Iraq, undermining efforts to promote their recovery.
Addressing these problems is critical for religious and ethnic
communities and for the overall success of the Iraqi State, helping
ensure it achieves its full potential as a vibrant, prosperous country.
This resolution reaffirms our commitment to protecting the rights of
these religious and ethnic minorities and the need to help them return
to their homes and rebuild their lives.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan
resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 554, affirming the
nature and importance of the support of the United States for the
religious and ethnic minority survivors of genocide in Iraq, as
amended.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this resolution introduced by
Representative Slotkin, which shines a much-needed spotlight on the
significant contributions of Iraq's religious and ethnic minority
communities, as well as the profound suffering they have endured.
Iraq is home to a rich tapestry of communities, each contributing to
the nation's cultural heritage. Among them are the Yazidis, Shabak, and
Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian Christians. These groups are not just a
part of Iraq's history, but they are integral to its identity.
The persecution faced by these communities is well-documented,
especially during the rise of ISIS. The brutal terrorist group
committed unimaginable horrors against Iraq's minorities. The list of
atrocities is long: kidnappings, torture, public executions, arbitrary
detentions, and systematic rape. The scale of this cruelty led the
State Department, under Secretary Kerry in 2016, to formally declare
ISIS' actions as genocide and crimes against humanity.
While the territorial defeat of ISIS was achieved through the
courageous efforts of the Iraqi Security Forces with critical support
from the United States and our international partners, efforts at
recovery are far from over.
Many of the communities that suffered most during ISIS' reign of
terror continue to face challenges in rebuilding their homes,
reclaiming their heritage, and securing representation in Iraq's
national fabric.
This bipartisan resolution is a testament to the resilience of these
communities and a call to action. It acknowledges the immense suffering
they have endured, recognizes their invaluable contributions to Iraqi
society, and underscores the need for continued U.S. engagement.
This resolution is not just about remembering the past, but it is
about supporting a future where these communities can thrive once
again. It emphasizes the importance of rebuilding, not just physically,
but also restoring the cultural and historic sites that are central to
their identity.
I extend my gratitude to Representatives Slotkin and James for their
leadership on this critical issue. Let us stand together in support of
this resolution, which not only honors the legacy of Iraq's diverse
communities, but also reaffirms our commitment to their future.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
[[Page H6128]]
{time} 1300
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar).
Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I join my Michigan colleague, Representative Slotkin, in
support of H. Res. 554.
This resolution is an important bipartisan affirmation of our support
of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq who experience violent
persecution for their religious beliefs.
Chaldean Christians are a religious minority in Iraq, and they have
been subjected to countless atrocities and genocide over the last
decade at the hands of ISIS terrorists.
They have been displaced from their homes, coerced into converting
their religion, tortured, and forced into slavery. Churches and other
religious sites have been destroyed, and they still face discrimination
for their beliefs.
No one should ever be persecuted for their religious beliefs. The
Chaldean community has made outstanding contributions to my home State
of Michigan. They deserve to know that Congress supports Chaldeans and
other religious and ethnic minorities and their human rights here at
home and abroad.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Michigan (Ms. Slotkin), my good friend and fellow Michigander, the
author of this important resolution.
Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 554, a
bill affirming the importance of U.S. support for religious and ethnic
minorities in Iraq.
Michigan has been home for more than a century to a vibrant Iraqi
community, the largest outside the Middle East. Many are Chaldeans,
Iraqi Christians who have faced incredible persecution and challenges
in recent Iraqi history.
I am very proud to have done this bill with Congressman Moolenaar,
Congressman James, and other bipartisan support from the Michigan
delegation.
When I traveled to the Middle East as part of a congressional
delegation in 2022, I met with Iraqi leaders in Baghdad and Erbil to
discuss the challenges of Iraq's Chaldeans and what the U.S. can do to
help.
This is on the heels of me being a CIA officer, a Pentagon official,
and having done three tours in Iraq alongside the military and seeing
these issues up close and personal for myself in 2004, 2006, and 2008.
I took what I heard from that most recent trip back to Washington to
work on this resolution, which would put this House on record as
supporting the human rights and dignity of religious and ethnic
minorities in Iraq.
Over the decades, Chaldeans and other religious groups, such as
Yezidis, have suffered greatly from the brutality of vicious and
violent groups such as ISIS.
ISIS subjugated and carried out countless atrocities against many of
these communities, including murder, systematic rape, and kidnapping.
As Iraq continues to rebuild after years of conflict and efforts to
defeat ISIS, it is critical that U.S. support the security, stability,
integration, and political representation of these minorities in their
homeland.
This resolution expresses support not just for Iraqi Christians, but
for all Iraqi minorities' fundamental rights, security and economic
opportunity, community infrastructure, and representation in
government.
Mr. Speaker, this is not just an issue of importance to the Chaldeans
and other religious minorities living in Iraq, but also to hundreds of
thousands of American citizens. Roughly half a million Chaldeans live
in the United States, including more than 160,000 in southeast
Michigan.
These families are a vibrant, active thread in the fabric of our
community. Roughly 60 percent of Michigan's Chaldeans own a business
and a sizable fraction own two or more businesses. They support our
economy. They are active in our communities. They support churches and
schools and foundations, and they are active participants in every
aspect of civic life.
These Americans who feel a deep connection to and concern for their
ancient homeland are looking to us to speak up for thousands of Iraqis
threatened by continued persecution and discrimination. As Americans,
they are looking to us to stand up for American values.
Mr. Speaker, I thank again the bipartisan group of Michiganders and
other Members who supported this bill and, in particular, Congressmen
Moolenaar and James.
This legislation was passed out of the Foreign Affairs Committee by
an overwhelming bipartisan majority, and I urge my colleagues today to
support the same here on the floor.
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from
Michigan (Mr. James), the chair of the Africa Subcommittee.
Mr. JAMES. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this very, very
important and special bill, H. Res. 554, a resolution affirming
America's support for religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq.
A special thank you to Senator-elect Slotkin, Representative
Moolenaar, Representative McClain, and Representative Bergman, and,
most importantly, the Chaldean community in my district and in
southeast Michigan for getting us here.
I am truly blessed to be a part of this, and I am proud to have
shepherded this bill through committee.
I vowed since coming to Congress to be a voice not just for the
Chaldean community in my district but for all those fighting for
religious freedoms abroad. That is why for one of my very first
congressional hearings, I questioned Secretary Blinken about the plight
and the struggles of Christians and ethnic minorities in Iraq. I
believe that advocating for religious liberties abroad is vital to our
moral standing not just in the United States but around the world.
This resolution authored by Senator-elect Slotkin expresses more than
just America's support for the restoration of the rights and dignities
given to religious and ethnic minority communities in Iraq.
With untrustworthy actors aligned with Iran and ISIS continuing to be
an obstacle to freedom in Iraq, this resolution is a powerful first
step.
To my fellow Iraqi Catholic and Christian brothers and sisters, this
moment is a long time coming, but more is yet to come.
My hope is that the leadership in Baghdad hears us loud and clear
today. Congress is watching, and we stand ready to act.
I appreciate Chairman McCaul and Ranking Member Meeks for allowing
this resolution to come to the floor. I know our Chaldean community in
Sterling Heights and across the State of Michigan have prayed hard and
advocated for this very moment.
Mr. Speaker, in this moment here today, with my bipartisan
colleagues, we will be able to show Chaldeans here and those around the
world who pray for religious freedom that our God truly does answer
prayers.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution shines a critical light on the lives,
opportunities, and cultures lost in Iraq due to ISIS' campaign of
terror.
The State Department rightfully declared ISIS responsible for
genocide in 2016, but Congress had been too late to respond. The
Yezidis, Shabak, as well as Chaldean, Syriac, and Assyrian Christians
deserve equitable representation in the recorded history of Iraqi
society. I am proud to stand with my bipartisan colleagues in
supporting Iraqi religious and ethnic minorities who, for too long,
have gone unnoticed.
Mr. Speaker, I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting H. Res.
554, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, there is still much work to be done to help Iraq and its
people heal from the horrors unleashed by ISIS. This is particularly
true with respect to the country's religious and ethnic minority
communities.
This resolution serves as a commitment to ensure the United States
continues to press for progress and to advocate for the rights of
religious and ethnic minorities. I am proud to support this bipartisan
legislation today, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in voting
for this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by
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the gentleman from Guam (Mr. Moylan) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 554, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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