Barbara Kennelly: “I rise today to express support for House Resolution 343, condemning the hateful speech of Khalid Muhammad. Mr. Speaker…”

“I rise today to express support for House Resolution 343, condemning the hateful speech of Khalid Muhammad. Mr. Speaker, I believe that no right is more basic and no freedom more greatly protected than the right to free speech. As an individual and a public official, I remain deeply committed to the idea that we are entitled to express our thoughts and our opinions, no matter how unpopular. This is clearly an issue of free speech. But just as Mr. Muhammad is free to express his deeply wrong ideas, the rest of us are free to point out, clearly and unequivocally, how wrong he is. We are free to point out the tragedy that such unanswered vituperation leads to. And we are free to stand side by side with the individuals and groups Mr. Muhammad has maligned, and to say that his remarks will not go unanswered. Mr. Speaker, sometimes it is not enough to stand against hatred and bigotry in the abstract. Sometimes one must acknowledge an act for what it is and condemn it. I believe Mr. Muhammad's speech was such a case, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting House Resolution 343.”