[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20332]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         COACHELLA MOSQUE FIRE

  (Mr. RUIZ asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, on December 11, 2015, the Islamic Society of 
Coachella Valley mosque was firebombed, with four people praying 
inside, 9 days after the San Bernardino terrorist mass shooting. The 
perpetrator is being charged for a hate crime.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly condemn violence toward innocent people, 
whether they are victims of terrorism or victims of hate crimes, 
whether they are randomly chosen or targeted for being Muslim. I 
strongly condemn the hate speech from politicos who capitalize on the 
fear of the fearful and the hate of the hateful for political gain.
  As Americans, we believe in justice, the rule of law, and freedom of 
religion. Destroying terrorists and protecting law-abiding Muslim 
Americans are not mutually exclusive, and we must do both because we 
believe in justice, sentencing the guilty, and protecting the innocent.
  That is why I stand with my local priests, pastors, rabbis, imams, 
and law enforcement to denounce the violence, pursue justice, and 
strengthen our humanity.

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