|
|
|
|
SUBSCRIBE The leading Copyright |
[Congressional Record: October 7, 2003 (House)]
[Page H9223-H9228]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr07oc03-72]
CONDEMNING BIGOTRY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST ARAB-AMERICANS, MUSLIM-
AMERICANS, SOUTH ASIAN-AMERICANS, AND SIKH-AMERICANS
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree
to the resolution (H. Res. 234) condemning bigotry and violence against
Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-
Americans.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 234
Whereas all Americans are united in supporting American men
and women who protect our Nation abroad and at home;
Whereas thousands of Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans,
South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans serve in the
military and in law enforcement, working to protect all
Americans;
Whereas the Arab-American, Muslim-American, South Asian-
American, and Sikh-American communities are vibrant,
peaceful, and law-abiding, and have greatly contributed to
American society; and
Whereas all Americans, including Arab-Americans, Muslim-
Americans, South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans, condemn
acts of violence and prejudice: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) is concerned by the number of bias-motivated crimes
against Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South Asian-
Americans, and Sikh-Americans, and other Americans in recent
months;
(2) declares that the civil rights and civil liberties of
all Americans, including Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans,
South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans, should be
protected;
(3) condemns bigotry and acts of violence against any
American, including Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South
Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans;
(4) calls upon local, State, and Federal law enforcement
authorities to work to prevent bias-motivated crimes against
all Americans, including Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans,
South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans; and
(5) calls upon local, State, and Federal law enforcement
authorities to investigate and prosecute vigorously all such
crimes committed against Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans,
South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie
Bernice Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Sensenbrenner).
General Leave
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on H. Res. 234.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Wisconsin?
There was no objection.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa),
House Resolution 234 condemns bigotry and violence against individuals
of Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Sikh-Americans dissent. It was
introduced in response to concerns about an increase in discriminatory
backlash crimes following the commencement of military action in Iraq
in March 2003. Specifically, House Resolution 234 recognizes the many
contributions of Arab-, Muslim-, South Asian-, and Sikh-Americans to
our culture and society, calls upon law enforcement authorities to work
to vigorously prevent, investigate and prosecute discriminatory
backlash crimes, and reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment
to assuring that the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans
are protected.
The weeks and months following the terrorist attacks of September 11,
2001, saw a significant increase in the number of crimes committed
against those perceived to be of Arab- Muslim-, South Asian-, and Sikh-
American dessent. Take, for example, the FBI's hate crime statistics
for 2001. According to this report, the number of anti-Islamic
incidents grew 1,600 percent between 2000 and 2001 taking such
incidents from the second-least reported category of reported
religious-bias incidents in 2000 of the second-highest reported
category of religious-bias incidents in 2001.
The oversight work of the Subcommittee on the Constitution has
revealed a significant effort on the part of the Department of Justice
to address this alarming increase in discriminatory backlash crimes.
Shortly after the September 2001 terrorist attacks, former Assistant
Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Ralph Boyd, instructed
the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division's National Origin
Working Group to help combat violations of federal civil rights laws
involving individuals perceived to be of Arab-, Muslim-, South Asian-,
or Sikh-American origin.
Specifically, the Working Group now receives reports of violations
based upon national origin, citizenship status, and religion; conducts
outreach to vulnerable communities; and works with other Civil Rights
Division components and governmental agencies to ensure accurate
referral, effective outreach, and provision of services to victims of
civil rights violations.
In addition, the Civil Rights Division continues to spearhead the
criminal investigations and prosecutions of hundreds of backlash
crimes. In April, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that
approximately 400 incidents of backlash discrimination have been
investigated since September 2001 by the Civil Rights Division, the FBI
and the U.S. Attorneys' Offices. Of these investigations, approximately
70 State and local criminal prosecutions were initiated and Federal
charges were brought in ten cases. It is my hope that the Civil Rights
Division continues to vigilantly investigate and prosecute those
crimes.
Similar to House Concurrent Resolution 227, which was approved by the
House just days after the terrorist attacks of 2001, House Resolution
234 will again express this body's appreciation for the contributions
of Arab-, Mus-
lim-, South Asian-, and Sikh-Americans to the Nation and condemnation
of all actions of bigotry and violence towards such individuals. I
applaud the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for his leadership on
this issue and urge my colleagues to strongly support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 234. H. Res. 234 condemns
bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South
Asian-Americans and Sikh-Americans, and I urge all of my colleagues to
support it.
This resolution condemns bigotry and violence against individuals of
Arab-American, Muslim-American, South Asian-American, and Sikh-American
dissent. It was introduced in response to concerns about an increase in
discriminatory backlash crimes following the commencement of military
action in Iraq in March of 2003. Specifically, House Resolution 234
recognizes the many contributions of Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans,
South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans to the Nation and calls upon
law enforcement authorities to work vigorously to prevent
discriminatory backlash crimes against such persons and to investigate
such crimes that do occur and reaffirms the House of Representative's
commitment to assuring that civil rights of all Americans, including
individuals of Arab-American, Muslim-American, South Asian-American,
and Sikh-American dissent, be protected.
In the weeks and months following the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001, this Nation saw a significant increase in the number of
crimes committed against those perceived to be Arab-Americans, Muslim-
American,
[[Page H9224]]
South Asian-American, and Sikh-American descent.
According to hate crimes statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, criminal acts motivated by bias against ethnicity/
national origin were the second-most frequently reported bias in 2001,
more than doubling the number of incidents, offenses, victims and known
offenders from 2000 data and the anti-other ethnicity/national origin
category quadrupled in incidents, offenses, victims, and known
offenders.
Similarly, the number of anti-Islamic incidents grew 1,600 percent
between the year 2000 and 2001, taking such incidents from the second-
least reported category of reported religious-bias incidents in 2000 to
the second-highest category of religious-bias in 2001.
Mr. Speaker, there can be no room for hatred and bigotry in America.
Our history has taught us that when we rise above such hatred, we are
stronger as a Nation. Too often in our history, fear and panic have
resulted in discrimination and even oppression by our government of
groups perceived to be a threat. Invariably, when things calm down and
cooler heads prevail, there is a great sense of national shame at the
injustices perpetuated against innocent people whose only crime was
their race, religion, national origin or ethnicity.
It is important that this House go on record as condemning these
reprehensible acts which betray what is best about our Nation. We are a
diverse Nation, and we are the stronger for it. We are we cannot permit
blind hatred to destroy that.
In addition to this resolution, I would hope that this House will
also turn its attention to the extent to which the government has
assaulted the rights of innocent individuals simply because of their
race, religion or national origin. In addition to the hate crimes
perpetuated by individuals, we must be vigilant that the power of
government not be abused and that people not be targeted by law
enforcement even if they have done nothing wrong.
The right to live free from violence and discrimination is a
fundamental right of all Americans. So long as one American is denied
that right, no one can truly be free. I urges all my colleagues to
support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1430
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from South Carolina (Mr. Wilson).
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my
good friend and colleague, the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), to
sponsor this important resolution in condemning violence against South
Asians in America.
As the Republican co-chair of the caucus on India and Indian
Americans, I am very concerned about the weekly occurrences of violence
committed against Indian Americans, especially Sikhs. Every week in
national newspapers like India Abroad and News India-Times, I read
reports of violence and even homicides committed against Indian
Americans working in gas stations, convenience stores, food delivery
positions, or driving taxis. I am concerned some of these attacks are
motivated by ignorance and fear. These hardworking citizens perform
some of the most thankless jobs in America. They are also vulnerable to
physical harm due to their solitary conditions and late work hours.
There can be no justification for attacking a fellow American simply
because of their skin color or religion. Americans understand we feel
anger toward the terrorists who murdered our countrymen on September
11. However, we must not rush to judgment and display prejudice or bias
against those Americans of South Asian descent, people who are just as
angered about the attack on our country and just as eager to defeat
terrorism. We must rally together as a Nation to prevent bias-motivated
crimes against Indian Americans.
Schools must continue to educate student bodies so that harassment
and violence against Sikh boys no longer occur. Further, we must
vigorously prosecute these crimes when they do happen.
I want to commend Attorney General John Ashcroft because he is taking
the necessary steps to aggressively root out those who seek to harm
this Nation, yet maintain the civil rights of those citizens who are
here legally and abide by our laws.
I want to again thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) for
his leadership in introducing this important resolution, and I urge my
colleagues to vote in favor of it.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone).
Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 234, a
resolution to condemn bigotry and violence against many vital ethnic
communities in the United States; and I want to say, unfortunately,
many individuals including South Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Sikh
Americans, and Muslim Americans have been targets of hate crimes for
decades, being subject to assault, verbal slurs and property damage;
but since the 9/11 attacks, there has been a significant backlash
against men and women from all of these communities.
In my own district in New Jersey, I represent a number of Indian
Americans, both Hindu, Muslim and Sikh, who have been targets of
violence and discrimination. To my knowledge, eating establishments and
places of worship have been damaged and vandalized as a result of
systematic bigotry and racism. Moreover, South Asian Americans are
specifically being targeted with violence because in the minds of some
they had been inaccurately associated with those responsible for the 9/
11 attacks.
Mr. Speaker, I wanted to mention specifically the Sikh American
community because at several forums that I held after 9/11 two years
ago, they in particular came to the forums. I remember one specifically
at Rutgers University in my district where many of them had talked
personally about the problems that they had. The Sikhs, as many of my
colleagues know, wear the turbans usually, and they also carry a
symbolic, although it is not a real knife, a symbolic sort of something
that looks like a knife; and they in particular I know have been the
subject of many of these attacks. We need to be very clear about the
fact that the Sikh American community in no way was responsible for
anything related to 9/11.
In addition to that, I know that the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr.
Holt) and I at the time of 9/11 two years ago, just a few days later,
there was one of our constituents from Milltown, I represented Milltown
at the time. My colleague represents Milltown now, but we had one of
the most reprehensible of these attacks that was perpetrated on Waqar
Hasan, a resident of Milltown who had recently moved to Texas. This was
only 4 days after 9/11 on September 15. He was shot to death in his
Texas grocery store in the most extreme form of misplaced revenge since
the 9/11 tragedy.
Mr. Hasan, his wife and four daughters are Muslims who emigrated to
the United States in 1990, full of the hope and excitement that many
new immigrants feel as they begin their lives afresh in America as
Americans. But that happiness was cut short not by terrorists a million
miles away but by a fellow American who felt justified in taking the
life of an innocent man and destroying the lives of a wife and four
children out of bigotry and hatred.
This spate of attacks on innocent Americans like Mr. Hasan around the
country is a reprehensible reaction to a tragedy that befell all of
America on 9/11, and they must not be tolerated.
Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution. It condemns
such acts of hatred against innocent individuals. I also believe that
Congress must support the enforcement of hate crime laws, provide
support and protection to targeted ethnic communities, and reject
policies that are inherently biased against South Asian Americans and
Arab Americans.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman
from Illinois (Mr. LaHood).
Mr. LaHOOD. Mr. Speaker, I stand in support of this resolution and
congratulate the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), who could not be
here this afternoon for consideration of the resolution. I know it was
his idea to have this resolution offered. As someone who represents a
district with a
[[Page H9225]]
large Arab American population, I can tell my colleagues that they
contribute mightily to our community in so many different ways.
My grandparents came to Peoria, Illinois, in 1895 from a region of
Lebanon and settled in Peoria; and as a result of their being the first
Lebanese Americans to settle in our neck of the woods, they were able
to persuade others to come over. In those days, I am sure they were not
known as Arab Americans. They were known as immigrants who came to
America seeking the American Dream, and I think that has been true for
decades of Arab Americans who have come to this country and contributed
an awful lot to our society and contributed a lot to the growth of our
country and the stability of our country.
It was not till 9/11, I think, until maybe people had a different
point of view about Arab Americans and also perhaps Muslims; but these
people have contributed so much, and I think it is important for
Congress to speak out in a way that says that these folks are good
Americans, they are good citizens. They contribute a great deal to our
country.
I might make note, too, of the fact that there are Arab Americans
serving in this body, including the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr.
Rahall), the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. John), John Sununu who once
served in the House and now is in the other body, and of course, the
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa), and also in the administration
Spencer Abraham who was also a member of the other body. So not only
have Arab Americans contributed a great deal to the country and to the
greatness of this country but have contributed also to the great body
that we call the House of Representatives and to the other body.
So I think it is worth noting the contribution of Arab Americans and
the fact that 9/11 has made a little different way of life for them and
that Congress recognizes their contribution; and I appreciate the fact
that this resolution recognizes that and appreciate the fact that the
chairman has allowed me to recognize their contributions.
I thank the chairman for his indulgence.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).
Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Texas for
yielding me this time.
I rise today to speak in strong support of this resolution. We have
all seen the rise in violence against our fellow Americans, whether
they are of Arab, Muslim, South Asian or Sikh descent, since the
September 11 attack upon our Nation. Our Nation must not allow these
attacks to continue. We need to work together to ensure that these
types of crimes no longer occur.
A family in my district in Queens fell victim to a hate crime of this
nature in August of this year. The Singh family, a proud Sikh American
family of Woodside, Queens, my hometown, was attacked simply because of
the way they looked. I am proud that the neighbors of the Singh family
called the police when this hate crime was occurring and even came to
their assistance during the attacks. That is the neighborhood of
Woodside that I know and love.
A strong community is what it will take to stop these horrendous
crimes from occurring in the future. It is hard for all of us to
understand how people have so much hate in them, and we need to all
work together to ensure that hate crimes stop. Whether they are against
Sikhs, Blacks, Muslims, Jews or gays, hate crimes need to be stopped.
The best way, I believe, to stop hate crimes is through education. By
bringing this problem out in the open, we can start to solve it by
educating our population.
During July, I held a congressional briefing as the co-chair of the
Caucus on India and Indian American Affairs about the rise of hate
crimes against the South Asian population here in the United States. A
representative of Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force, also known
as SMART, attended this briefing and spoke with Members of the Congress
on the importance of educating people so they understand the culture
and will be less likely to participate in hate crimes. I commend
SMART's efforts to work not only within the Sikh community but with all
communities affected by hate crimes. We all must work together to
ensure that these types of crimes no longer occur.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this important resolution.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to
the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).
Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for the time.
I rise today to voice my strong support to House Resolution 234,
introduced in a bipartisan way by the gentleman from California (Mr.
Issa) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur). House Resolution 234
condemns bigotry and violence against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans,
South Asian Americans, and Sikh Americans at a time when Americans in
these communities are facing unprecedented levels of discrimination and
abuse.
We cannot stand by and allow the ignorance of a few to overcome the
tradition of tolerance in this Nation of Nations. I urge my colleagues
to vote unanimously for this important resolution and, in so doing,
send a clear and bipartisan message to all Americans that Congress will
not accept, condone, or ignore acts of hatred.
Although the tragic events of September 11, 2001, united most
Americans, some misguided individuals in our society have taken their
anger and directed it at their neighbors because they look different or
subscribe to a different religion.
We Americans have struggled throughout our history to purge ourselves
of crippling stereotypes that spread a cloud of ignorance and despair
on our otherwise great society. Members of this Congress and of the
larger American community fought valiantly in the 1960s to end legal
racial discrimination against African Americans. We have come a long
way since the days of sanctioned racism, but we still have miles to go
to eradicate the vestiges of bigotry that from time to time consume the
ignorant among us.
In my home State of New Jersey, many of my constituents of Asian
descent, many of Muslim religion or Sikh religion have suffered acts of
violence simply due to their religion or the color of their skin. One
of the most tragic cases involved the murder 4 days after September 11,
2001, of Waqar Hasan who was shot to death in his convenience store by
a man who said he did it to retaliate against ``Arab Americans or
whatever you want to call them.'' Hasan was a Pakistani immigrant who
was murdered for no other reason than that he was a Muslim with a
Middle Eastern face.
When Mr. Hasan was murdered, the visas and applications for permanent
residency of his wife and four daughters died with him. After building
lives in America for 9 years, the Hasan family has gone from being one
step away from permanent residency to one step away from deportation.
Earlier this year, I introduced legislation, H.R. 867, to prevent the
deportation of Waqar's wife and four daughters, who without this would
be forced to leave America. I have been working closely with my
colleagues on both sides of the aisle, and I am grateful to the
chairman and ranking member of the Committee on the Judiciary and its
Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims for their
bipartisan support of the Hasan family. I look forward to continue to
work with them in the coming weeks to pass H.R. 867.
Today, Congress can take a step to help the Hasan family and
immigrant families like them and any other families who are victims of
racism and bigotry by passing House Resolution 234. We will be making a
promise to the American people and all who seek a new life of
opportunity on our shores that here in America we treat each other with
dignity and respect.
Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South
Asian-Americans and Sikh-Americans are a vital part of America. These
communities join other ethnic and religious groups as they and their
ancestors came to this nation in search of political freedom and
economic opportunity. They have flourished in this nation and have made
great contributions to our society. They have joined the ranks of
service-members, law enforcement officers, teachers, doctors, lawyers,
and business people. They also hold positions of
[[Page H9226]]
leadership in this society, including members of Congress and Cabinet
members.
But, tragically in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist
attacks, some bigots turned against Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans,
Sikh-Americans, and South Asian-Americans, and singled them out as
targets for violence and threats of violence. Hate crimes against these
communities, including violent physical assaults, increased sharply.
The FBI reported that the number of anti-Muslim incidents increased by
1600 percent from 2001 to 2002, largely in response to this post 9/11
backlash. Obviously this kind of increase has only added evermore to
the awesome responsibilities facing law enforcement offices. Therefore,
it is unfortunate that their resources must be directed to the
unreasonable few rotten applies that take out their vengeance on the
unsuspecting innocent.
Most Americans all over responded and came to the support of Arab-
Americans, Muslim-Americans, Sikh-Americans, and South Asian-Americans,
condemning the attacks and embracing these communities. A resolution at
that time, which I cosponsored, was passed that condemned violence
against these groups.
But, now again Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, Sikh-Americans, and
South Asian-Americans are suffering, and it is again time to express
support for them. Since the time when the war in Iraq began, hate
crimes have seen another hike. There was a man who law enforcement
believes was motivated by anti-Arab sentiment, when he allegedly shot
four people to death in New York City during February and March. Even
after President Bush declared that major combat operations had ended,
the hate crimes against Arab, Muslim, South Asian and Sikh-Americans
have continued.
These crimes are wrong and are opposed to the values of American
society. We must condemn them in the most serious and strongest terms,
and law enforcement must investigate and vigorously prosecute the
perpetrators.
By the same token, we must pay close attention to the concerns of
Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, Sikh-Americans and South Asian-
Americans, that the federal government views them with suspicion, and
they are being subjected to grossly heightened levels of surveillance
as a result of their national or religious origins. Counter-terrorism
efforts must not discriminate on the basis of national origin or
religion or violate the civil liberties of innocent Americans. The
government's efforts to combat terrorism must focus on criminal or
terrorist behavior, not ethnicity or creed.
Discriminatory counter-terrorism tactics and those that violate civil
liberties are wrong and do not make the country safer. We must look to
history, which has shown us that respect for individual rights enhances
our stability and security. Singling out mostly innocent Arab, Muslim,
South Asian and Sikh Americans runs counter to the principle of
rejecting the use of racial and ethnic profiling, while we need to
focus on building trust and respect by working cooperatively with
community members.
The resolution before us today, H. Res. 234, recognizes that Arab-
Americans, Muslim-Americans, Sikh-Americans, and South Asian-Americans
greatly contribute to American society and serve honorably in the
military or law enforcement and it urges respect for civil rights and
liberties, condemns bias-motivated crimes against members of these
communities, and calls upon federal and local law enforcement to
prosecute such crimes vigorously. I strongly urge all of my colleagues
to support it.
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today in support of H. Res. 234--
legislation condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans,
Muslim-Americans, South Asian-Americans, and Sikh-Americans. I am proud
to be a cosponsor of this important legislation.
After the tragic events of September 11th, the Muslim community
became the target of a major upsurge in hate crimes and discrimination.
In just the first nine weeks after the attacks, over 700 violent
incidents occurred targeting Arab Americans, Muslims, and others
perceived to be such. These same citizens faced a four-fold increase in
employment discrimination.
Crimes and incidents driven by bias and hatred must not be tolerated
in a peaceful democracy. Our position of power and influence also
brings a responsibility to celebrate our diversity and protect the
rights of all in our nation.
As we continue to fight a war against terrorism and hatred, we have a
golden opportunity to show the world that we celebrate our diversity;
that every American citizen and everyone who visits here will not be in
danger because of their national origin or religious faith; that we
will not stand for bigotry and other divisive actions; that we are a
Nation united as one.
Mr. Speaker, this important legislation received unanimous support
from the Judiciary Committee, on which I sit, and I urge my colleagues
to overwhelmingly support its passage by the full House.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
234 concerning the condemnation of bigotry and violence against Arab,
Muslim, South Asian, and Sikh-Americans. As a co-sponsor of this
resolution, I won't hesitate to vocalize my support for it and echo its
import.
Racial Profiling and Terrorism
The events of September 11, 2001 have had a profound impact on racial
profiling. Following the terrorist attacks, law enforcement agents have
subjected individuals of Arab or South Asian descent, Muslims, and
Sikhs to racial profiling. While national and local statistics are not
yet available, anecdotal accounts of how Arabs, Muslims, and Sikhs have
endured racial profiling abound the informational resources.
For example, in the months following September 11th, a new type of
racial profiling has developed: ``driving while Arab.'' Arabs, Muslim,
and Sikhs across the country were subjected to traffic stops and
searches based in whole or part on their ethnicity or religion. On
October 4, 2001 in Gwinnett, Georgia an Arab motorist's car was
stopped, he was approached by a police officer whose gun was drawn, and
he was called a ``bin Laden supporter'' all for making an illegal U-
turn. On October 8, 2001, two Alexandria, VA police officers stopped
three Arab motorists. The officers questioned the motorists about a
verse of the Koran hanging from the rear view mirror, and asked about
documents in the back seat. The police officer confiscated the
motorists' identification cards and drove off without explanation. He
returned 10 minutes later, and claimed he had had to take another call.
On December 5, 2001, a veiled Muslim woman in Burbank, Illinois was
stopped by a police officer for driving with suspended plates. The
officer asked the woman when Ramadan was over, asked her offensive
question about her hair, and pushed her into his patrol car as he
arrested her for driving with suspended plates. The woman was released
from custody later that day.
A particularly egregious form of terrorism profiling occurs when Arab
men and women are detained and deported without due process. Since
September 11th, hundreds of Arab and Muslim individuals have been
detained on suspicion of terrorist activity. Practically none of these
individuals was involved with terrorism. However, many were detained
for weeks and eventually charged with minor immigration violations.
Based on these minor immigration violations some were deported. In one
case, two Pakistani immigrants were arrested and detained 45 days for
allegedly overstaying their visas. In another case an Israeli was
detained for 66 days before being charged with entering the
United States unlawfully. In a particularly shocking case, a French
teacher from Yemen, who was married to an American citizen and
therefore eligible to become a citizen himself, was reporting for duty
as an army recruit at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on September 15, 2001.
The man was apprehended by federal agents, separated from his wife and
interrogated for 12 hours. The agents accused him of violating
immigration laws, conspiring with Russian terrorists, spousal abuse,
and threatened him with beatings. The man was given a lie detector test
which proved he was telling the truth when he denied being associated
with terrorists.
Expounding upon the above issue is a trend of ethnic profiling
against South Asian-Americans relative to the SARS pandemic. People
have been treated with indifference and hostility because of their
racial background. This treatment is simply founded upon ignorance.
Human rights and the principles of due process, freedom of expression,
and freedom of association should not be compromised by ignorance.
The Consequences of Racial Profiling
The consequences of racial profiling for minority groups in the
United States, for Arab, Muslim, South Asian, and Sikh groups, and in
the immigrations context are dire for individuals who are both innocent
and guilty of criminal activity. In the case of the innocent, for every
person in possession of drugs apprehended through profiling, many more
law-abiding minorities are treated as if they are criminals. A 1999
Gallup Poll revealed that 42 percent of African Americans, and 72
percent of African American males between the ages of 18 and 34,
believe they have been stopped by police because of their race. In
fact, many minorities choose to drive certain cars, on certain routes,
wearing certain clothes, to avoid drawing attention from police.
For those individuals who have been convicted of felonies, racial
profiling contributes to the disparity in arrest and crime rates that
leads to the minority-majority prison population. Blacks are just 12
percent of the U.S. population and 11 percent of drug users, but Blacks
are 38 percent of those arrested for drug offenses and 59 percent of
those convicted for drug offenses. Hispanics make up 13 percent of the
population and 10 percent of illicit drug users, but they are 37
percent of the overall prison population. Racial profiling increases
the stops and arrests of minority
[[Page H9227]]
groups. Frequent stops and arrests of minorities generate more
extensive criminal histories, and result in longer sentences. Nearly
one in three Black males aged 20-29 on any given day is either in
prison, on probation, or on parole. As of 1995, one in 14 adult Black
males was in prison or jail on any given day. A Black male born in 1991
has a 33 percent chance of spending part of his life in prison. A
Hispanic male has a one in six chance.
Racial profiling results in increased arrests and convictions of
minorities. In many States, a felony conviction can impact a person's
ability to exercise their basic social rights. In 46 States and the
District of Columbia, convicted adults cannot vote. Thirty-two States
disenfranchise felons on parole, while 29 States disenfranchise felons
on probation. In part due to racial profiling, 1.4 million Black men,
13 percent of all adult Black males, are denied the right to vote. In
two States, 31 percent of all adult Black males are permanently
disenfranchised.
For the reasons stated above, Mr. Speaker and Ranking Member, I
support the Resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab,
Muslim, South Asian, and Sikh-Americans that I have co-sponsored. I
would ask that my Colleagues join my fellow sponsors in fighting
bigotry with H. Res. 234.
Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, There is no room for bias-motivated or hate
crimes against fellow Americans. As America fights to defend the values
of tolerance and freedom abroad, we must also work vigorously to ensure
these values are protected at home.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 256, condemning bigotry and
violence against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, South Asian
Americans and Sikh Americans.
I want to thank Congressman Issa, along with Congressman LaHood,
Congressman Conyers, Congressman Dingell, Congressman Rahall and
Congressman Honda for their help on this legislation, along with
approximately 50 other colleagues--from both sides of the aisle and all
parts of the country--who co-sponsored this measure.
The resolution is straightforward. It acknowledges the contributions
to our Nation that have been made by Arab Americans, Muslim Americans,
South Asian Americans, and Sikh Americans.
This measure notes that members of these groups have served honorably
in our military and in law enforcement, working every day to protect
the American people.
The measure also affirms that we as a Congress are concerned by the
incidents of bias-motivated crimes against Muslim Americans, Sikh
Americans, Arab Americans and South Asian Americans.
And we condemn any acts of bigotry or violence directed against
Americans of these groups.
We call upon law enforcement officials throughout America to
investigate thoroughly and prosecute vigorously any crimes committed
against Arab Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans or South Asian
Americans.
There is a place in America for people of all races, creeds and
colors.
There is no place in America for bigotry, prejudice and violence.
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H. Res.
234. I am delighted to have had the honor of authoring this resolution
with my friend and colleague, the gentlelady from Ohio, Marcy Kaptur. I
also am grateful to the gentleman from Wisconsin, Chairman Jim
Sensenbrenner, for his fine work in moving this bill through his
Committee to the House floor.
I am pleased to be joined by over 52 Members who co-sponsored this
resolution. Twenty other Members have also expressed their strong
support for the resolution since it passed out of the Judiciary
Committee on the 25th of July. Alcee Hastings, Jan Schakowsky, Bob
Filner, Martin Sabo, Maurice Hinchey, Denise Majette, Chris Shays, Neil
Abercrombie, Lee Terry, Henry Waxman, John Olver, Judy Biggert, Rod
Kind, Lloyd Doggett, Ciro Rodriguez, Bill Pascrell, and Robert Matsui
have all told me that they would like to be formally recognized for
their support of this resolution. I thank them for their support.
This is an important moment for Arab-American, Muslim American, Sikh-
American, and South Asian American communities throughout the United
States. These communities have experienced increased levels of bigotry
and violence since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
In the first nine weeks following the September 11 tragedy, there
were about 700 violent incidents directed at Arab-Americans or those
perceived to be Arab-Americans, like Sikh Americans and South Asian
Americans. Fortunately, this rate dropped very quickly after those
first nine weeks, thanks in large part to President Bush's repeated
calls for tolerance.
The President's leadership on this issue prompted thousands of state
and local officials, community leaders, and private citizens across the
country to reach out to these minority groups with voices of compassion
and support. I am delighted that Congress can now formally join them in
standing by our fellow Americans who have unfairly had to live a cloud
of suspicion.
Arab-Americans, Muslim Americans, Sikh Americans and South Asian
Americans have all contributed greatly to this nation. Many serve in
elected office, law enforcement agencies, or the military. The
Commanding General of CENTCOM, John Abizaid, is an American of Arab
ancestry. These men and women are part of the kaleidoscope of cultures
that makes up this country. While they come from many diverse
backgrounds, all of them traveled to America for one main reason: to
taste freedom. We treat them as brothers and sisters because they share
our desire to live in a nation that is tolerant, just, and free.
Again, thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your fine work on this effort.
Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 234, a bill
condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, Muslim-
Americans, South Asian-Americans and Sikh-Americans.
More than 2 years after the terrorist attacks of September 11th, the
backlash of vandalism, harassment and violence perpetrated against
members of these peaceful communities continues. This treatment is the
result of misguided fear and resentment, and it is unconscionable.
This legislation before the House sends an unequivocal message that
the United States does not condone prejudice or violence. It also
encourages victims of hate crimes to step forward and report the
incidents that affect them so that we can prosecute the perpetrators of
these inexcusable acts.
Unfortunately, the fear of retaliation often prevents victims from
reporting hate crimes. For example, the National Asian Pacific American
Legal Consortium has uncovered the case of an Islamic South Asian
family in Southern California that received threatening phone calls and
accusations of being terrorists after the September 11th attacks. One
day the family returned home to find that their house had been burned
down, but they did not report the arson to the police for fear of
further backlash.
We in Congress have the responsibility to protect hate crime victims
and to do everything in our power to prevent hate crimes in the future.
Mr. Speaker, America draws its strength from its tremendous
diversity. In order to remain strong and united, we must work to
eliminate hate crimes and replace suspicion with understanding so that
all Americans can live without fear.
I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in working to promote
domestic peace and cultural understanding by supporting H. Res. 234.
Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res.
234, a resolution that calls for the condemnation of prejudice and
violence against Arab-Americans, Muslim-Americans, South Asian-
Americans, and Sikh-Americans, and which recognizes the contributions
that these groups have made to American society. The resolution also
calls upon Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies to work to
prevent bias-motivated crimes and to investigate and prosecute such
crimes vigorously.
Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, I introduced a
similar resolution with Congressman David Bonior. H. Con. Res. 227
condemned bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, Muslim-
Americans, and South Asian-Americans, and declared that the civil
liberties of these and all other Americans should be protected during
our efforts to bring the perpetrators and sponsors of the terrorist
acts to justice.
I commend Representative Darrell Issa for introducing H. Res. 234.
This resolution sends a strong and clear message that we will not
condone prejudiced and violent crimes against any Americans. We must
remember that many individuals in the Arab, Muslim, South Asian and
Sikh-American communities came to the United States seeking freedom and
democracy, and they fled oppressive regimes that lack freedom of speech
and religion and in some cases support terrorism. I am pleased that the
House of Representatives is once again taking a firm stand on this
issue, which is so important to all Americans.
I strongly support H. Res. 234 and encourage my colleagues in the
House to vote in favor of this important resolution.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no requests
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time
as well.
{time} 1445
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hefley). The question is on the motion
[[Page H9228]]
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) that the
House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 234.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________
Copyright © 1999-2002 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM
 Share this page | Bookmark this page | Print this page |  Add to del.icio.us
The leading immigration law publisher - over 50000 pages of free information!
© Copyright 1995-2008 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM |