[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 541 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 541
Expressing support for the recognition of July as ``Muslim-American
Heritage Month'' and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim
Americans in the United States.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 20, 2021
Ms. Bass (for herself, Mr. Carson, Ms. Omar, Ms. Tlaib, Ms. Moore of
Wisconsin, Ms. Norton, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mr. Raskin,
Mrs. Dingell, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr.
Pocan, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Chu, Mrs. Lawrence, Ms. Newman, Mrs. Watson
Coleman, Mr. Meeks, Ms. McCollum, and Ms. Lee of California) submitted
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Oversight and Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the recognition of July as ``Muslim-American
Heritage Month'' and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim
Americans in the United States.
Whereas the House of Representatives is proud to recognize and commemorate
``Muslim-American Heritage Month'', an observance that celebrates the
contributions of Muslim Americans;
Whereas in keeping with its time-honored traditions, the House of
Representatives recognizes and pays tribute to those who foster cultural
pride and enhance the profile of diverse communities across the United
States;
Whereas emigration of Muslims to the American colonies began with the arrival of
indentured workers;
Whereas during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of
slaves of Muslim heritage were brought to the United States;
Whereas Muslim Americans contribute greatly to charitable organizations that
help people from all faiths in the United States and around the world by
providing medical assistance, family services, scholastic supplies,
before- and after-school programs, feeding the hungry, and providing
recuperation efforts following natural disasters;
Whereas Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of American society to
make advancements in architecture, arts, business, culture, government,
law, medicine, military, religion, and sports;
Whereas Bangladeshi-American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his mark on America's
cityscapes by pioneering a new structural system of frame tubes used to
construct iconic buildings like the World Trade Center in New York City,
the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, and the Willis
``Sears'' Tower in Chicago;
Whereas many Muslim Americans pursue the American dream and contribute to the
Nation's economy as business owners and entrepreneurs, including
Pakistani-born billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the auto-parts company
Flex-N-Gate and the National Football League Jacksonville Jaguars;
Whereas Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi's invention of the ice cream cone is a
practical confection with a near ubiquitous presence in American life;
Whereas, in 2006, Keith Ellison of Minnesota was elected to the House of
Representatives, becoming the first Muslim American to serve in
Congress;
Whereas, in 2021, Zahid Quraishi was confirmed as the first Muslim American to
serve as an Article III Federal judge as a District Judge of the United
States District Court for the District of New Jersey;
Whereas Pakistani-American neurosurgeon Ayub Ommaya's invention of the
intraventricular catheter system provides chemotherapy to treat brain
tumors;
Whereas Muslim Americans have fought in support of America in every major war,
from Bampett Muhamed and Yusuf Ben Ali under the command of General
George Washington in the American Revolutionary War to Captain Humayun
Khan, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in 2004;
Whereas Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the first Muslim American to deliver the
invocation for the Senate, and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, civil rights
activist and reformer also known as Malcolm X, were prominent religious
leaders and scholars;
Whereas professional athletes like National Basketball Association Hall of Fame
members Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O'Neal, and
two-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Shariff Rahman thrilled sports
fans across the Nation and around the globe during their respective
careers;
Whereas Olympians like boxer Muhammad Ali, track and field athlete Dalilah
Muhammad, and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad won medals in international
competitions;
Whereas with roots in at least 77 different countries, and identifying racially
as White, Black, Arab, and Asian, Muslim Americans are an extremely
diverse population;
Whereas the current population of Muslims living in the United States is
estimated at over 3,450,000;
Whereas over 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty and over 2,300 Muslims serve as
selected reserve personnel in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the Muslim population has been growing in the United States and today's
Muslim-American population is a tapestry of ethnic, racial, linguistic,
social, and economic groups;
Whereas nearly 50 percent of Muslim Americans have reported experiencing
religious discrimination, with that number rising to 64 percent for
Muslim Americans whose appearance identifies them as Muslim, such as
women who wear the hijab, or headscarf;
Whereas there is a need for public education, awareness, and policies that are
culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the
impacts of being Muslim American in all aspects of American society,
including discourse and policy;
Whereas ``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' will be observed in the month of
July; and
Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Muslim Americans have
helped to build a better Nation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``Muslim-American Heritage
Month'';
(2) honors the contributions and integral role of Muslim
Americans in the economy, culture, and identity of the United
States; and
(3) urges the people of the United States to observe
``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' with appropriate ceremonies,
programs, and activities that celebrate the contributions of
Muslim Americans to the United States.
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