Congressman Submits Resolution Condemning Bigotry Against Sikhs

By Steve La Rocque
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington - A lawmaker who spent his early childhood in an internment camp for Japanese Americans in World War II has introduced a resolution condemning bigotry against Sikh Americans following the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States.

Representative Michael Honda (Democrat of California) submitted House Resolution 225 (H. Res. 225) into the House of Representatives October 4.

The resolution, which has 115 co-sponsors, condemns bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans. The resolution was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

Sikh Americans typically are of South Asian, not Middle Eastern, ancestry. Honda, however, also spoke out the day after the terrorist attacks against threats and violence against Arab Americans.

"The unwavering strength of our democracy can be found in the diversity of our people and in our tolerance for beliefs of others," Honda said, "in the enduring ideal of our Republic which states: 'All men are created equal.'"

He noted that the terrorist attacks of September 11 had been compared to the surprise attack made upon Pearl Harbor in 1941.

"When I saw the many acts of bravery and compassion in the streets of New York and at the Pentagon, I firmly believe that we, as Americans, have lived up to the lineage of valor from that fateful day," Honda said.

Honda serves on the House Budget Committee and on the Transportation Committee.

Senator Richard Durbin (Democrat of Illinois) introduced a similar resolution, Senate Concurrent Resolution 74 (S. Con. Res. 74), into the Senate October 2.

(The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)