Joe Crowley: “I rise to applaud the bravery of a young man, Hassan Askari. On December 9 of this year, Hassan Askari risked his own…”

“I rise to applaud the bravery of a young man, Hassan Askari. On December 9 of this year, Hassan Askari risked his own safety and his life to defend a group of strangers who were attacked on a New York City subway. What started as an exchange of Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah between two fellow passengers ignited into a violent exchange of anti-Semitic slurs and violence. A group of men and women attacked the Jewish passengers, and only one passenger came to their defense, Hassan Askari. Hassan, like the men he was trying to help, was beaten and pummeled by the attackers. But as he said with regard to his actions, 'I believe we are all members of one family, and my religion teaches me always to come to the aid of my fellow man in distress.' Hassan is a Muslim from Bangladesh. He was taught, as we all should be, that we are humans first, first and foremost. And no matter what our faith or race, we should treat each other with respect. Hassan's actions on the subway were human nature at its best, and I applaud him for interceding to stop a senseless act of violence and hate. I hope his actions will serve as an example for all of us.”