PRINTER'S NO. 2698
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
629
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY COHEN, V. BROWN, KINSEY, McCARTER, O'BRIEN,
ROEBUCK, ROZZI, SCHLOSSBERG, THOMAS AND YOUNGBLOOD,
JANUARY 4, 2016
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JANUARY 4, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the valuable contributions that people who are
Muslim or of Muslim descent make to society and opposing
efforts to single out Muslims for unfair treatment,
punishment or exclusion on the basis of religion.
WHEREAS, In the aftermath of at least 130 people murdered and
more than 350 people injured in the attacks carried out by
terrorists in Paris, France, and the murder of 14 people and
injury to at least 21 people in San Bernardino, California,
there has been widespread public discussion about banning all
Muslims from entering the United States, creating a registry of
Muslims in America and shutting down mosques; and
WHEREAS, These ideas demonstrate an appalling ignorance of
the principle of religious freedom on which Pennsylvania was
founded and which our country early on embedded in the First
Amendment to the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, The constitutional guarantee of religious freedom
protects members of all religions from transient public opinion
and shifting politics; and
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WHEREAS, Religious freedom makes it possible for people to be
judged on the basis of individual characteristics, and not
solely as a member of a religious group; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives support the
religious freedom of all Pennsylvanians and oppose efforts to
demonize and oppress any group of people; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
valuable contributions that people who are Muslim or of Muslim
descent make to our society on a daily basis and strongly oppose
any effort to single out Muslims for unfair treatment,
punishment or exclusion on the basis of religion; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the
Governor and to each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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