H.Res. 328 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 328 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 2, 2013 Mr. Crowley (for himself, Mr. Bera of California, Ms. Meng, Ms. Brownley of California, Ms. Moore, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Moran, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Meeks, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Courtney, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. DeFazio, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Murphy of Florida, Mr. Doyle, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Pascrell, Ms. Hahn, Mr. Pocan, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Honda, Mr. Rush, Mr. Israel, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Kind, Mr. Sires, Mr. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, Mr. Swalwell of California, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Norton, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Pierluisi, Mr. Peters of Michigan, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Ms. Speier, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Vela, Mr. Schneider, Mr. Garcia, Mr. Connolly, and Ms. Slaughter) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 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, and remembering the tragedy that occurred at the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin one year ago. 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, California, and Washington; 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 the heinous attack and killing of six persons and wounding of others in the Sikh Gurdwara of Wisconsin occurred a year ago on August 5, 2012; Whereas a Sikh-American cab driver was assaulted on October 17, 2012, near Seattle, Washington; Whereas a Sikh-American-owned convenience store in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was set ablaze on March 5, 2013; Whereas 82-year-old Piara Singh was brutally attacked as he was leaving his Gurdwara in Fresno, California, on May 8, 2013; Whereas Sikh-Americans are often targeted solely because of their unique dress and religious practices; Whereas surveys have found that up to 3 out of every 4 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 25,000,000 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 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 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) appreciates the Federal Bureau of Investigation Advisory Policy Board for recommending the tracking of hate crimes against Sikh-Americans, Hindu-Americans, Arab-Americans, and other groups; and (6) urges the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice to expeditiously adopt and subsequently work to implement the Advisory Policy Board’s recommendations.