[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 13]
[House]
[Page 18342]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         FLUSHING REMONSTRANCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Meng) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. MENG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation, the 
Flushing Remonstrance Study Act, H.R. 3222.
  This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special 
resource study of the Flushing Remonstrance and significant local 
resources. The Flushing Remonstrance is an important part of my local 
history, and I would like to take a few moments to discuss its origins 
and influence on our country.
  The Quakers of the mid-17th century were prohibited from practicing 
their religious traditions in the New Netherland, which included parts 
of what is now New York State. In response, a group of local activists 
wrote the Remonstrance as a declaration against religious persecution. 
Although 356 years old, its intent still shines brightly in the ideals 
our Nation embraces today.
  On December 27, 1657, 30 English citizens stood against oppression 
and asserted the rights of Quakers and other religious minorities to 
practice their religion.
  They wrote:

       We desire . . . not to judge lest we be judged, neither to 
     condemn lest we be condemned, but rather let every man stand 
     or fall to his own master.

  This petition, known as the Flushing Remonstrance, made a forceful 
argument against judging and condemning others for what they believed. 
It was met with great opposition from the local government in what is 
known today as Flushing, Queens.
  One of the greatest and most outspoken proponents of religious 
freedom at the time was an English immigrant named John Bowne. At great 
risk to himself, John invited the Quakers to hold religious services in 
his own home. He was arrested for doing so, fined, and then banished to 
his homeland of Holland for his crimes. While in Holland, John Bowne 
appealed to the influential Dutch West India Company to return home. 
His pleas of justice were accepted. Because of Bowne's empathy and 
strong convictions for religious freedom, the company demanded that 
religious persecution end in the colony.

                              {time}  1215

  Bowne's story of personal courage should not be forgotten. Our Nation 
was founded upon the ideals that foster a tolerant society, the same 
ideals that Bowne practiced every time he opened his door to a Quaker 
seeking refuge from persecution. Bowne's home, which served as a symbol 
of religious freedom to so many, was converted into a museum in 1947 
and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
  It is important that we continue to preserve and understand the 
historical significance of the Remonstrance, strengthening its ties to 
the Queens community and beyond. To help achieve this goal, I 
introduced the Flushing Remonstrance Study Act, which will help the 
Queens community connect to its rich past in possibly new and exciting 
ways. The Bowne House could benefit from further Federal study; and 
other associated locations, such as the Quaker Meeting House, should be 
considered for registry.
  The story of the Flushing Remonstrance is not for New Yorkers alone. 
It is a precursor to a fundamental right to practice one's religion. It 
is a value in our First Amendment. I am proud to represent a district 
that tended to the early roots of religious freedom that have now grown 
into an unquestionable American right. I hope the Flushing Remonstrance 
Study Act and the December 27 anniversary will help us all remember the 
courage of John Bowne and the passion for religious freedom held by the 
authors of the Flushing Remonstrance.

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