Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 1503, the so-called "Birther Bill.'' You ought to read it.

H.R. 1503 is predicated on the vicious and false rumor that circulates among fringe elements of our society that Barack Obama is not a citizen of the United States and his Presidency is, therefore, illegitimate.

I bring you a copy--and I hold it up--of his birth certificate which has been authenticated in the State of Hawaii by the Department of Health, and I also hold up an announcement in the newspaper on August 14.

Yet, despite being proved categorically untrue time and time again, this rumor stays alive because of tacit acknowledgment embodied in this legislation from legislators in this room. Anything to bring the messenger down.

These rumors hurt America. They hurt the strength of our country. The fact that some Members of the minority would embrace this hateful rhetoric stuns me.

These allegations have no grounding in fact, and this bill is nothing more than a shameful ploy to stir fear and dissension in the minds of the American people.

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