H.Res. 698 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 698 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 30, 2014 Mr. Valadao (for himself, Ms. Chu, Mr. Meehan, Mr. Garamendi, Mr. Joyce, Mr. Ryan of Wisconsin, Mr. Ribble, Mr. Honda, Mr. Costa, Mr. Peters of Michigan, Mr. Holt, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Kind, Mr. Nunes, Ms. Matsui, Mr. Rush, Ms. Moore, Ms. Norton, Ms. Meng, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. LaMalfa, Ms. McCollum, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Lofgren, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Pocan, and Mr. Swalwell of California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Condemning the attack that occurred at the Oak Creek Sikh Gurdwara on August 5, 2012, and honoring the memory of those who died in the attack. Whereas, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, a mass shooting took place, fueled by intolerance, killing 6 worshipers at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, a Gurdwara, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin; Whereas the attack occurred as members of the congregation prepared langar, a free community meal served to all visitors to Gurdwaras, regardless of their race, religion, sex, or social background; Whereas 4 individuals were injured including a responding officer, Lieutenant Brian Murphy, who was shot 15 times at close range; Whereas Lieutenant Brian Murphy and all the first responders to the Oak Creek Gurdwara demonstrated great courage in their quick response to the shooting, ultimately saving lives; Whereas in the United States, Sikhs have endured high levels of stereotyping, bullying, and violence, all of which rose dramatically in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001; Whereas the Associated Press reported that more than 700 such incidents of intolerance targeting Sikhs took place over the last decade; Whereas the Oak Creek shooting was one of the most lethal attacks on a place of worship in the United States since the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and another sad example of violence and intolerance against Sikhs; Whereas the Sikh community responded to the shooting in Oak Creek with compassion and stayed true to the Sikh principle of Chardi Kala, remaining in high spirits; Whereas although the effects of this shooting will be felt for years to come, the Oak Creek community will continue to overcome the tragedy and become stronger than before with a renewed sense of oneness, understanding, and cooperation; and Whereas the August 5, 2012, shooting was not just a Sikh tragedy, but an American tragedy: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms the horrific attack that occurred at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin on August 5, 2012; (2) honors the memory of Suveg Singh Khattra, Satwant Singh Kaleka, Ranjit Singh, Sita Singh, Paramjit Kaur, and Prakash Singh, who died in the attack; (3) offers its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who died in the attack; (4) applauds the bravery of Lieutenant Brian Murphy and other first responders who prevented the gunman from potentially taking more lives and quickly treated wounded individuals; and (5) condemns intolerance, including religious and racial discrimination, and calls for continued vigilance against violence.