Nothing like having laws enacted in your sworn enemies land to protect you while you carry on with your agenda.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JULY 1, 1999
Mr. ABRAHAM (for himself, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. ROBB, Mr. WELLSTONE, Mr.
LIEBERMAN, Mr. JOHNSON, and Mr. FEINGOLD) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JULY 20, 2000
Reported by Mr. HATCH, without amendment
JULY 27, 2000
Considered and agreed to
RESOLUTION
Supporting religious tolerance toward Muslims.
Whereas the American Muslim community, comprised of approximately
6,000,000 people, is a vital part of our Nation,
with more than 1,500 mosques, Islamic schools, and
Islamic centers in neighborhoods across the United
States;
Whereas Islam is one of the great Abrahamic faiths, whose
significant contributions throughout history have advanced
the fields of math, science, medicine, law, philosophy,
art, and literature;
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Whereas the United States is a secular nation, with an unprecedented
commitment to religious tolerance and pluralism,
where the rights, liberties, and freedoms guaranteed
by the Constitution are guaranteed to all citizens regardless
of religious affiliation;
Whereas Muslims have been subjected, simply because of
their faith, to acts of discrimination and harassment that
all too often have led to hate-inspired violence, as was the
case during the rush to judgment in the aftermath of the
tragic Oklahoma City bombing;
Whereas discrimination against Muslims intimidates American
Muslims and may prevent Muslims from freely expressing
their opinions and exercising their religious beliefs
as guaranteed by the first amendment to the Constitution;
Whereas American Muslims have regrettably been portrayed
in a negative light in some discussions of policy issues
such as issues relating to religious persecution abroad or
fighting terrorism in the United States;
Whereas stereotypes and anti-Muslim rhetoric have also contributed
to a backlash against Muslims in some neighborhoods
across the United States; and
Whereas all persons in the United States who espouse and
adhere to the values of the founders of our Nation should
help in the fight against bias, bigotry, and intolerance in
all their forms and from all their sources: Now, therefore,
be it
1 Resolved, ThatÐ
2 (1) the Senate condemns anti-Muslim intoler3
ance and discrimination as wholly inconsistent with
3
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1 the American values of religious tolerance and plu2
ralism;
3 (2) while the Senate respects and upholds the
4 right of individuals to free speech, the Senate ac5
knowledges that individuals and organizations that
6 foster such intolerance create an atmosphere of ha7
tred and fear that divides the Nation;
8 (3) the Senate resolves to uphold a level of po9
litical discourse that does not involve making a
10 scapegoat of an entire religion or drawing political
11 conclusions on the basis of religious doctrine; and
12 (4) the Senate recognizes the contributions of
13 American Muslims, who are followers of one of the
14 three major monotheistic religions of the world and
15 one of the fastest growing faiths in the United
16 States.
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