Carolyn B. Maloney: “I rise in support of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, it is troubling that bringing this resolution to the floor has caused…”

“I rise in support of the resolution. Mr. Speaker, it is troubling that bringing this resolution to the floor has caused some disagreement among us. Instead, this resolution should unite us. You do not have to be Jewish to be outraged by Mr. Muhammad's justification of the Holocaust. You do not have to be African-American to condemn his attack against those African-Americans who do not share his distorted views. You do not have to be a lesbian or a gay man to reject his vicious smears against these individuals. And you do not have to be Catholic to be offended by his obscene caricature of the Pope. Mr. Speaker, this is not an issue of free speech. Mr. Muhammad is free to say what he wishes. But make no mistake--the American people--through us in this body as their elected Representatives--are free to condemn this kind of hate speech and reaffirm the true American values of tolerance and human dignity. And we must. Please support the resolution.”