[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 1779-1780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    CRIME OF HATE AGAINST THE 9TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 29, 2000

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, today, the district office of the people 
of Illinois' 9th

[[Page 1780]]

Congressional District was vandalized with an anti-Semitic obscenity. 
While I am pleased to say that we, as a community, are prepared to 
stand tall in the path of any and all acts of hate and words of 
bigotry, today's action is a sad reminder that there are those among us 
that fear diversity and refuse to view it as the sign of strength and 
tradition that it is.
  Acts of hate directed against Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Muslims 
or any other group or person in this country are unacceptable and will 
not be tolerated. I am proud to represent one of the most ethnically 
diverse districts in America. The diversity and tolerance in our 
district is symbolic of what our nation should be. We will not be 
silent whenever hatred shows its ugly face.
  I wish to commend the brave officers of the Niles Police Department, 
Chief Sheehan, and FBI officials for their prompt response and effort 
on behalf of the people of the 9th Congressional District. This crime 
of hate is a cowardly act that will not go unpunished. There are those 
who view the 9th Congressional District, because of its diversity, as a 
prime location to spread their hateful venom. I am confident that the 
rich tradition and values of the people of the 9th Congressional 
District will always prevail.

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