[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17651]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



  APOLOGY TO SIKHS, MUSLIMS, AND ANYONE ELSE TAKING OFFENSE AT PRIOR 
                               STATEMENTS

  (Mr. COOKSEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COOKSEY. Mr. Speaker, I was recently quoted as saying something 
that Sikhs, Muslims, and other Americans facing harassment and violence 
in this country took as offensive. I am sorry for any distress my 
statement caused, and I want them to know that I do not approve of any 
harassment or violence against any American. All I intended to say was 
that if a person fits the established profile of a terrorist, that 
person should expect to be looked at closely by airport security, given 
the atrocity of September 11.
  Many Sikhs are being subjected to harassment due to their beards and 
turbans, which are required by their religion. Americans of the Muslim 
faith are also receiving harassment. Sikhism is an independent, 
monotheistic, revered religion. It is not part of any other religion, 
although Sikhs are sometimes mistaken for Muslims or Hindus. There are 
21 million Sikhs in the world, most of whom live in the Punjab state of 
India. Approximately 500,000 live in the United States; and most are 
naturalized or American-born citizens. Most have contributed to all 
walks of life. Most of the people who wear turbans in this country are 
Sikhs.
  There are many reasons Sikhs come to America, but mainly they come 
seeking freedom. To persecute them only weakens American unity at a 
time when our country is under attack.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to let the Sikhs, Muslims, and other 
Americans who are facing harassment and violence know that I do not 
condone such acts, that I stand shoulder to shoulder with them, and 
that I am on their side.

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