[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16729-16730]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



             SUPPORTING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE TOWARD MUSLIMS

  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the 
Senate now proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 699, 
S. Res. 133.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 133) supporting religious tolerance 
     toward Muslims.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I am pleased to cosponsor S. Res. 133, a 
resolution supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims. I 
wholeheartedly believe that anti-Muslim intolerance and discrimination 
should be condemned and must be fought at every opportunity. As 
Americans, we enjoy the right to speak and think freely. With that 
right comes a responsibility to ensure that free speech does not foster 
intolerance and lead to an atmosphere of hatred or fear. It is wrong 
when entire religions are made to be a scapegoat because of ignorance 
or spite, and I will continue to do all I can to promote thoughtful 
understanding and appreciation of the Muslim faith.
  I am proud of the accomplishments and contributions made by Muslims 
in South Dakota and across America. I

[[Page 16730]]

am hopeful that the Senate and entire Congress will approve this 
resolution in order to highlight the important role Muslim Americans 
play in our society.
  Mr. SMITH of Oregon. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed 
to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon 
the table, and any statements relating to this resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 133) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 133

       Whereas the American Muslim community, comprised of 
     approximately 6,000,000 people, is a vital part of our 
     Nation, with more than 1,500 mosques, Islamic schools, and 
     Islamic centers in neighborhoods across the United States;
       Whereas Islam is one of the great Abrahamic faiths, whose 
     significant contributions throughout history have advanced 
     the fields of math, science, medicine, law, philosophy, art, 
     and literature;
       Whereas the United States is a secular nation, with an 
     unprecedented commitment to religious tolerance and 
     pluralism, where the rights, liberties, and freedoms 
     guaranteed by the Constitution are guaranteed to all citizens 
     regardless of religious affiliation;
       Whereas Muslims have been subjected, simply because of 
     their faith, to acts of discrimination and harassment that 
     all too often have led to hate-inspired violence, as was the 
     case during the rush to judgment in the aftermath of the 
     tragic Oklahoma City bombing;
       Whereas discrimination against Muslims intimidates American 
     Muslims and may prevent Muslims from freely expressing their 
     opinions and exercising their religious beliefs as guaranteed 
     by the first amendment to the Constitution;
       Whereas American Muslims have regrettably been portrayed in 
     a negative light in some discussions of policy issues such as 
     issues relating to religious persecution abroad or fighting 
     terrorism in the United States;
       Whereas stereotypes and anti-Muslim rhetoric have also 
     contributed to a backlash against Muslims in some 
     neighborhoods across the United States; and
       Whereas all persons in the United States who espouse and 
     adhere to the values of the founders of our Nation should 
     help in the fight against bias, bigotry, and intolerance in 
     all their forms and from all their sources: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That--
       (1) the Senate condemns anti-Muslim intolerance and 
     discrimination as wholly inconsistent with the American 
     values of religious tolerance and pluralism;
       (2) while the Senate respects and upholds the right of 
     individuals to free speech, the Senate acknowledges that 
     individuals and organizations that foster such intolerance 
     create an atmosphere of hatred and fear that divides the 
     Nation;
       (3) the Senate resolves to uphold a level of political 
     discourse that does not involve making a scapegoat of an 
     entire religion or drawing political conclusions on the basis 
     of religious doctrine; and
       (4) the Senate recognizes the contributions of American 
     Muslims, who are followers of one of the three major 
     monotheistic religions of the world and one of the fastest 
     growing faiths in the United States.

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