Beyer-Honda, House Democrats Welcome 100th Co-Sponsor to Condemn Anti-Muslim Bigotry

Statement

Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Mike Honda (D-CA) welcomed the 100th co-sponsor to support their legislation, H. Res. 569, condemning violence and bigotry towards Muslim-Americans.

"This is a critical benchmark to show our colleagues and the American people that we do not stand for religious bigotry," said Rep. Don Beyer. "Hateful words and actions directed at Muslim-Americans run contrary to our values as a fair, just, and inclusive society."

"I am pleased to learn that we have gathered our 100th co-sponsor for this resolution and I am grateful for all of the support," said Rep. Mike Honda. "Every day, Muslim American students, leaders and community members are threatened with violence--and some have been the victims of hate crimes. We must do everything we can to fight terrorism on all fronts, but we must take care not to give into bigotry, hate speech or tolerate hate crimes. Hateful rhetoric has real consequences. Our country is better than this; we are a multiethnic, multi-religious, multicultural nation. It is the responsibility of all to reject discrimination."

Reps. Beyer and Honda, with original co-sponsors Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Joe Crowley (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Keith Ellison (D-MN), and André Carson (D-IN) introduced H. Res. 569 in December in response to weeks of anti-Muslim bigotry and acts of hatred in the United States.

"The steps taken in this bill are vital to our efforts to ensure the safety and security of all Americans, regardless of faith or culture," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur. "Reaching this milestone of support shows that communities all over America are raising their voices in the name of religious liberty, one of our most sacred and fundamental principles. Representative Beyer deserves our humble gratitude for his leadership in this important effort. I look forward to continuing to work with him to ensure this legislation is adopted."

"As we reach 100 cosponsors of our resolution condemning anti-Muslim bigotry, I appreciate that our Republican leaders, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), also have stepped forward to condemn anti-Muslim rhetoric," Congresswoman Norton said. "Their leadership should signal that it is time this resolution became bipartisan, and I urge our Republican colleagues to join us as cosponsors."

"The despicable rhetoric and violence on American Muslims is reprehensible and goes against everything this country stands for. Each and every one of us has a duty as an American to speak out against discrimination and intolerance," said Rep. Joe Crowley, Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus. "This milestone demonstrates just how much support there is for sending a powerful message that the Congress stands behind our Muslim American communities and firmly against hate and intolerance."
"I am proud to stand with Rep. Don Beyer and 98 of our colleagues in solidarity with our fellow citizens who are Muslim American. We have a duty as elected officials to foster respect, civility and dignity and to condemn hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric" said Rep. Betty McCollum.

"The wide support for this resolution should tell people one thing: hatred and bigotry are not American values," said Rep. Keith Ellison. "Tolerance and inclusion are what make our country great, not division and scapegoating. I look forward to this resolution gaining even more support, and I hope our friends across the aisle will recognize the importance of condemning hate speech and stand up for American values as well."
"I am proud that so many of my colleagues have joined together to help bring more attention to the harmful and ignorant acts that have been directed at Muslim Americans for far too long," said Rep. André Carson. "Discrimination in any form should never be tolerated anywhere in our country. This holds true whether the victim of such intolerance is gay or straight, black or white, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, or the member of any group."