[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17476]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   CONDEMNING BIGOTRY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST ARAB-AMERICANS, AMERICAN 
                 MUSLIMS, AND AMERICANS FROM SOUTH ASIA

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2001

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution 
condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans. I am proud to 
be a cosponsor of this resolution introduced by the gentleman from 
Michigan, Mr. Bonior, and I thank the distinguished majority leader, 
Mr. Armey, for his active support of the resolution.
  This past week our precious nation has suffered a great amount of 
pain and sorrow inflicted by horrible individuals who have no respect 
for innocent life. America can ill-afford to have our own people 
unfairly and unjustifiably inflicting even more pain on other Americans 
or friends of Americans who are of Arab heritage or of the Muslim 
faith, and who bear no responsibility for the events of September 11th. 
In fact, they have joined with their neighbors in condemning this 
heinous attack. Arab Americans deserve to be recognized as the 
patriotic individuals they are, not victimized for their heritage. 
Indeed, the greatest enemy of a radical Islamic terrorist is a 
practicing Muslim.
  This past Tuesday evening, as the Toledo Blade reported in its 
September 19th edition, ``about 1,500 people, a . . . mix of Christians 
and Muslims, gathered . . . at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo in 
Perrysburg Township to encircle the mosque, pray for the safety of 
those who worship within, and sing patriotic songs.
  ``American flags were everywhere--medium-sized ones along the 
driveways, a large one hanging from the mosque's roof, and small red, 
white, and blue stickers adorning everyone's clothing.
  ``The people making up the crowd, many of whom rarely cross paths, 
made an effort to reach out to one another in this time of national 
crisis.''
  There will be many images that we recall from last week. One, which 
will always stand out for me, is the image of the Statue of Liberty 
erect in New York Harbor. More importantly, the values for which she 
stands are lodged deeper in our hearts. While Lady Liberty witnessed 
this assault on peace, she remains a beacon calling for our tired but 
valiant and indispensable rescue workers. She reassures our fellow 
citizens who lost their loved ones. And she encourages our huddled 
neighbors throughout America who are offering support for one another, 
as we discover who made this assault on freedom and why. She continues 
to lift her lamp beside the golden door of freedom. She increases our 
resolve as Americans. She lifts her lamp to celebrate the thousands who 
did survive, and to illuminate those who banded together in one of the 
most tremendous outpourings of selflessness in our nation's history.
  The depth of the American people's resourcefulness has been 
demonstrated to the entire world. Our nation will prevail over the most 
recent challenge to our liberties. We will actively embrace the 
precious diversity that is America. Our families hail from throughout 
the world, with religious convictions of every faith. Our diverse 
population offers the strongest nation in support of freedom in the 
world.
  Over the years, many people of Arab heritage have come to call the 
United States home. They are just as loyal as any other American and 
deserve equal treatment. I know in my own community of Toledo one could 
not have asked for a stronger show of patriotism than what I had heard 
from so many Arab Americans wanting to know what they could do to help 
the victims of Tuesday's assault.
  It was truly sad to hear the stories of Arab Americans around the 
nation, including some in my community, who were the targets of wrong-
placed anger. I share the intense feeling that our nation and our 
people have been immeasurably hurt. But I firmly believe that as a 
people we must commit ourselves to fighting the terrorism that invaded 
our shores, not succumb to its infective powers by lashing out at the 
innocent.
  We need to honor the lives that were lost, celebrate the heroes that 
created another wonderful moment in our nation's stunning history, and 
emulate the people of Toledo who came together across faiths and across 
heritage to form what Hussein Barby described as ``like a family.''
  Our American family has been hurt. And in the best American 
tradition, let our family band together at a time when our strength 
lies in our unity.