July 16, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 119 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H5833-H5834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WE ARE ALL AMERICANS

  (Mr. SCHNEIDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, this weekend, the President used racist, 
xenophobic tropes to divide the country and evoke fear and anger.

[[Page H5834]]

  These words were a deplorable, bigoted act that betrays the 
principles of our great Nation and demeans the memories of all those 
who sacrificed so much in our ongoing pursuit of a more perfect Union.
  Whether you were born here, arrived as an immigrant, or came as a 
refugee, every citizen, naturalized or otherwise is an American, every 
bit as much as our Founders.
  Our country is stronger because of our history as a people of diverse 
backgrounds with diverse experiences.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here today, the grandson and great-grandson of 
immigrants who fled the persecution of Jews in Russia a century ago to 
build a better life in America for themselves and their future 
generations. We have seen from history what happens when good people 
stay silent.
  To quote the late Elie Wiesel: ``We must take sides. Neutrality helps 
the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, 
never the tormented.''
  I urge my colleagues: Do not remain silent. Speak out and defend the 
values we all share as Americans.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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