Sheila Jackson Lee: “When the heinous acts of 9/11 came, this Nation could have easily fell upon the splinters of divisiveness and begin to…”

“When the heinous acts of 9/11 came, this Nation could have easily fell upon the splinters of divisiveness and begin to point fingers in a massive way toward our fellow human beings, Muslims around the world and in the United States. Isn't it interesting that the President of the United States, a Republican, George W. Bush, took to the microphone to denounce that kind of divisive action--a Republican. We came together, even though there were incidences that many confronted, to hold this Nation together. Even with the small percentage of Muslims in the United States, we recognize the 1.8 billion Muslims in the world, which makes up nearly one-forth of the world's population. It is the world's second largest religion. I am proud to be able to serve or have served with former Member Keith Ellison, the first to be elected; Congressman Andre Carson, Rashida Tlaib, and Ilhan Omar. I am proud to chair the Pakistan Caucus, the Afghan Caucus, and to work with Muslims around the world; and I have visited the Middle East often, and engaged with Muslims who desired peace. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the rule and the underlying bill, to create the position of special envoy for monitoring and combatting Islamophobia that would be responsible for tracking and coordinating efforts to combat Islamophobia abroad.…”