Grace Meng: “And I rise in strong support of H.R. 4028, the Protect Cemeteries Act, which I authored. This resolution amends the…”

“And I rise in strong support of H.R. 4028, the Protect Cemeteries Act, which I authored. This resolution amends the International Religious Freedom Act to include the desecration of cemeteries among the forms of violations of the right to religious freedom. I would like to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Engel for helping to craft and advance this bipartisan resolution and for recognizing the seriousness of cemetery desecration. There is truly a bipartisan and collaborative spirit on the Foreign Affairs Committee, and that is a testament to its excellent leadership. I would also like to thank Congressman Doug Collins for his partnership here and valuable contributions to the bill, and thank you to both Republican and Democratic committee staffs for recognizing the value of this resolution and working so hard to bring it to the floor today. I would particularly like to thank Janice Kaguyutan, Jessica Kahan, and Doug Campbell for all their help and great work. Thanks as well to Agudath Israel and to Dr. Bernard Fryshman for his dogged advocacy on this issue over many years. The resolution is short, but--I believe--very significant. We are strengthening the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 by addressing the sanctity of burial grounds. Pursuant to this act, the United States can impose penalties on countries that obstruct religious freedom.…”