[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 22593]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       WELCOMING IMAM YAHYA HENDI

  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to join in welcoming visiting 
chaplain Imam Hendi as we greet the onset of the holy month of Ramadan.
  Islam is a way of life for millions of Americans, and we in the 
Congress want them and all Americans to know of our Nation's view that 
Islam should be understood as a faith that firmly upholds the values of 
respect for the individual human being, the value of the family, and 
justice for all. We join the growing American Muslim community in 
condemning those who try to tell us otherwise and who commit crimes 
against humanity in the name of Islam.
  Congress has expressed itself formally in condemnation of those who, 
in the wake of the events of September 11, took illegal actions against 
people solely because they were, or seemed to be, Muslims. Moreover, we 
support the President in his forthright expressions against all such 
illegal actions, his prosecution of those who commit such crimes; and 
we join President Bush's assurances that our efforts in Operation 
Enduring Freedom against terrorism are not directed against Islam or 
against Muslims.
  Mr. Speaker, to the contrary, we embrace our fellow citizens who are 
Muslims and all those of the Muslim faith who are temporary or 
permanent residents here as adherents of one of the three great 
religions in the monotheistic tradition.
  Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, at the beginning of this holy month, we 
extend our warmest greetings to the American Muslim community; and we 
wish them a blessed Ramadan.




                          ____________________