U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-08), an original member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, today joined more than 80 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives to introduce a resolution in support of the Sikh-American community in the wake of the tragic shooting at a Sikh gurdwara in Oak Creek, Wis. on August 5. 

"Our nation was founded on the principle of human dignity and the belief that all men are created equal, regardless of their race, creed or religion," said Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. "Our brothers and sisters in the Sikh-American community have made tremendous contributions to the advancement of this nation which remind us to celebrate the diversity of our culture.  In recent years, the Sikh-American community has often been a target for attacks by those ignorant of these important contributions and this peaceful religion’s history.  This resolution is a reminder that all Americans have the right to live in peace and free from discrimination."

The resolution, H.R. 785, honors the contributions of the Sikh-American community to the United States, condemns the string of attacks against Sikhs and their religious institutions over the past year, and gives new support to a public call for the Department of Justice to begin collecting comprehensive data on hate crimes committed against Sikhs. In April, 93 members of Congress signed a letter urging the FBI to document and quantify the commission of hate crimes against Sikh-Americans.

In April, Rep. Pascrell joined 93 members of Congress in signing a letter urging the FBI to document and quantify the commission of hate crimes against Sikh-Americans.

Sikh-Americans are often the target of crimes because of their distinct identity and common misperceptions with respect to their attire and appearance. Attackers often appear to erroneously believe that Sikh-Americans are affiliated with extremists and were somehow responsible for the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States. Over the past year, Sikh-Americans and their religious institutions have been threatened or attacked in highly-publicized incidents in New York, Michigan, Virginia and California.
Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with over 25 million followers and 500,000 followers in the United States alone.

RESOLUTION

Condemning the discrimination, hate crimes, racism, bigotry, bullying and brutal violence perpetrated against Sikh-Americans, and all acts of vandalism against Sikh Gurdwaras in the United States.

Whereas Sikh-Americans have frequently been stereotyped solely because of their appearance, practices and traditions;

Whereas numerous Sikh temples have been defaced and Sikh-Americans attacked out of ignorance and hatred, including instances in Michigan, New York, and California;

Whereas some incidents against Sikh-Americans appear to be erroneous attempts to place blame or exact retribution for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks;

Whereas Sikh-Americans have been murdered, including the heinous attack and killing of six persons and wounding of others in the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin on August 5, 2012;

Whereas Sikh-Americans are often targeted solely because of their unique dress and religious practices;

Whereas surveys have found that up to three out of every four Sikh boys in the United States are bullied due to their appearance;

Whereas the Sikh faith is the world’s fifth largest religion, with more than 25 million practitioners worldwide, upwards of 500,000 of whom reside in the United States;

Whereas Sikh-Americans have lived in the United States for at least 100 years as pillars of American society, making invaluable contributions in business, politics, science and
education;

Whereas Sikh-Americans serve in all roles of American life, including as family members, business owners, elected leaders, and members of the United States military;

Whereas Dalip Singh Saund served as a Sikh-American member of the U.S. House of Representatives in the late 1950s and early 1960s; and

Whereas under successive Administrations, the Department of Justice has rightfully reached out to the Sikh community to prevent discrimination and protect its civil liberties: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) condemns the commission of hate crimes against all Americans, including Sikh-Americans;
(2) condemns acts of violence, bigotry and discrimination against Sikh-Americans;
(3) urges educators, counselors and others to support educational efforts to prevent the epidemic
bullying of Sikh-American children and families;
(4) supports outreach efforts by federal and local law enforcement leaders to prevent violence and hate crimes against Sikh-Americans;
(5) urges the U.S. Department of Justice to begin documenting and quantifying hate crimes and other acts of violence perpetrated against Sikh-
Americans; and
(6) expresses its strong support for the right of the Sikh-American community to live in peace and free from discrimination, hate crimes, bullying and all forms of violence.

The resolution is co-sponsored by the following members: Joseph Crowley (NY-7), Bill Pascrell, Jr.  (NJ-08), Howard L. Berman (CA-28), Judy Chu (CA-32), Nita M. Lowey (NY-18), Keith Ellison  (MN-05), Fortney Pete Stark (CA-13), José Serrano (NY-16), Jackie Speier  (CA-12), James P. Moran (VA-08), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Brad Sherman (CA-27), Laura Richardson (CA-37), Steve Israel (NY-02), Gerald E. Connolly (VA-11), Barbara Lee (CA-09), Doris O. Matsui (CA-05), Michael M. Honda (CA-15), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Zoe Lofgren (CA-16), Xavier Becerra (CA-31), Sam Farr (CA-17), Madeleine Z. Bordallo (GU), Al Green (TX-09), Adam Smith (WA-09), Bob Filner (CA-51), Daniel E. Lungren (CA-03), Ben Ray Luján (NM-03), Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), Martin Heinrich (NM-1), Edolphus Towns (NY-10), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Sander M. Levin (MI-12), Rush Holt (NJ-12), Tim Ryan (OH-17), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-06), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Karen Bass (CA-33), Jim McDermott (WA-07), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Eleanor Holmes Norton  (DC), Gary C. Peters  (MI-09), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Michael E. Capuano (MA-08), Rául M. Grijalva (AZ-07), John D. Dingell  (MI-15), Alcee L. Hastings (FL-23), George Miller (CA-07), Jim Costa (CA-20), Sheila Jackson (TX-18), Dan Burton (IN-05), Lloyd Doggett (TX-25), Charles B. Rangel (NY-15), Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (AS), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Grace Napolitano (CA-38), Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-14), Steven R. Rothman (NJ-09), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Carolyn McCarthy  (NY-04), Hansen Clarke (MI-13), Loretta Sanchez (CA-47), John Conyers, Jr. (MI-14), Robert C