New York, N.Y., July 30, 2003 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today urged the Speaker of the House of Representatives to schedule a floor consideration of a measure condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, South Asian-Americans, Muslim-Americans and Sikh-Americans on the House agenda. Resolution 234 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee on July 25 and the Senate approved a similar measure in May.

In a letter to Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said:

We urge you to schedule House consideration of Resolution 234, a measure condemning bigotry against Arab-Americans, South Asian-Americans, Muslim-Americans and Sikh-Americans, promptly when the House returns from its August recess. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the frequency of hate crimes against these groups has increased dramatically and our message must be consistent and clear – no one should be singled out for hatred, prejudice, or blame based on his or her ethnicity, national origin, or religion. 

According to the FBI, the number of reported hate crimes from 2000 to 2001 increased by over 20 percent – an increase apparently attributable to the backlash following the terrorist attacks of September 11. This type of criminal activity is particularly heinous, as it affects not just an individual, but also the entire community in which the individual lives.  Even in times of profound anger and anxiety, no group in this country should be singled out for hatred, prejudice or blame based on their ethnicity, national origin, or religion.

Passage of this Resolution will reaffirm that hate-motivated violence is un-American and must be forcefully condemned.  This legislation is also an important vehicle for community education.

Read the Full Text of the Resolution