John Moolenaar: “I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I join my Michigan colleague, Representative Slotkin, in support of H.…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I join my Michigan colleague, Representative Slotkin, in support of H. Res. 554. This resolution is an important bipartisan affirmation of our support of religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq who experience violent persecution for their religious beliefs. Chaldean Christians are a religious minority in Iraq, and they have been subjected to countless atrocities and genocide over the last decade at the hands of ISIS terrorists. They have been displaced from their homes, coerced into converting their religion, tortured, and forced into slavery. Churches and other religious sites have been destroyed, and they still face discrimination for their beliefs. No one should ever be persecuted for their religious beliefs. The Chaldean community has made outstanding contributions to my home State of Michigan. They deserve to know that Congress supports Chaldeans and other religious and ethnic minorities and their human rights here at home and abroad. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''”