[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17676]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2001

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to show my support for our 
colleague, Congresswoman Barbara Lee. I am concerned about recent 
reports that violent threats have been directed at Ms. Lee following 
her vote against H.J. Res 64, which authorized the use of military 
force in response to the attacks of September 11.
  While many of us may not agree with Congresswoman Lee's decision to 
vote against the authorization of the use of force, we must stand 
united to defend her right to vote her conscience as a Member of the 
United States House of Representatives. A Member's duty is to vote on 
behalf of their constituents and to vote with their conscience. We must 
rise in support of this intrinsic component of our democracy.
  Just as the acts of September 11th can destroy us from without, they 
can also destroy us from within. As Members of Congress we must call on 
America to check our inflamed passions and national anger so as not to 
risk destroying our national unity. In recent days we have seen a spate 
of hate crimes against Muslims, Arab Americans and South Asian 
Americans. Such hate and intolerance threatens to slowly destroy the 
foundation of our democracy.
  During this very difficult time in American history, we must 
demonstrate to the American people that we are strong and united beyond 
party lines and ideologies. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
deploring these acts against Congresswoman Lee and supporting our 
democratic process.

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