Condemning violence and discrimination against Iranian-Americans

Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Violence and Discrimination Against Iranian-Americans in the Wake of the September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks

The Senate October 18 approved by unanimous consent Senate Resolution 173 (S. Res. 173), which draws attention to the contributions of Iranian-Americans to U.S. society and condemns bigotry against them.

"In the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans, including Iranian-Americans, should be protected," the resolution says.

S. Res. 173 puts the Senate on record as condemning "bigotry and any acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Iranian-Americans."

Senator Orrin Hatch (Republican of Utah), the ranking minority member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, submitted the resolution on October 18. The resolution calls upon local and federal law enforcement officials "to work to prevent and prosecute crimes against all Americans, including Iranian-Americans."

Following is the text of Senate Resolution 173 from the Congressional Record:

S. RES. 173

Condemning violence and discrimination against Iranian-Americans in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

October 18, 2001

Mr. HATCH submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Condemning violence and discrimination against Iranian-Americans in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Whereas all Americans are united in condemning, in the strongest possible terms, the terrorists who planned and carried out the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, and in pursuing all those responsible for those attacks and their sponsors until they are brought to justice;

Whereas Iranian-Americans form a vibrant, peaceful, and law-abiding part of America's people;

Whereas Iranian-Americans stand resolutely in support of the commitment of our Government to bring the terrorists and those that harbor them to justice;

Whereas Iranian-Americans, as do all Americans, condemn acts of violence and prejudice against any American; and

Whereas the Senate is seriously concerned by the number of crimes against Americans of Middle Eastern descent, including Iranian-Americans, all across the Nation that have been reported in the wake of the tragic events that unfolded on September 11, 2001; Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the civil rights and civil liberties of all Americans, including Iranian-Americans, should be protected;

(2) condemns bigotry and any acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Iranian-Americans;

(3) calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to work to prevent and prosecute crimes against all Americans, including Iranian-Americans.