Andre Carson: “I thank Dr. Green, Congressman Green, Chairman Green, Judge Green, Pastor Green, public servant Al Green. Mr. Speaker, I…”

“I thank Dr. Green, Congressman Green, Chairman Green, Judge Green, Pastor Green, public servant Al Green. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my colleagues' resolution recognizing Islam as one of the great religions of the world. I commend my friend, Representative Green, for honoring Islam. This action helps to honor the millions of Muslims of many different backgrounds who proudly call America home. Mr. Speaker, as one of three Muslims currently serving in Congress, it is my great privilege to speak here today in the people's House about a special faith. Though we are a minority in this country, we have participated fully in the story of our Nation since its earliest days. Even before America's founding and our Declaration of Independence, this brilliant declaration enshrined freedom of faith and religion for all of us. Today, there are Muslims in all parts of the country who are business owners, who are teachers, construction workers, engineers, lawyers, judges, elected officials. The first Muslim in Congress, my friend, comes to mind--Keith Ellison. We now have sisters Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, and the list goes on, statewide and locally. {time} 1615 Throughout this COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Speaker, you would be hard- pressed to find a hospital in this great Nation without a Muslim healthcare worker on the front lines serving fellow Americans, not just in urban centers, but in suburbia, in rural parts of our country.…”