IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 698 

Condemning the attack that occurred at the Oak Creek Sikh Gurdwara 

on August 5, 2012, and honoring the memory of those who died in 

the attack. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 30, 2014 

Mr. VALADAO (for himself, Ms. CHU, Mr. MEEHAN, Mr. GARAMENDI, Mr. 

JOYCE, Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin, Mr. RIBBLE, Mr. HONDA, Mr. COSTA, 

Mr. PETERS of Michigan, Mr. HOLT, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, 

Mr. KIND, Mr. NUNES, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. RUSH, Ms. MOORE, Ms. NORTON, Ms. MENG, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. LAMALFA, Ms. MCCOLLUM, 

Ms. ESHOO, Mr. SHERMAN, Ms. LOFGREN, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. CARSON

of Indiana, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. 

POCAN, and Mr. SWALWELL of California) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 

Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Condemning the attack that occurred at the Oak Creek Sikh 

Gurdwara on August 5, 2012, and honoring the memory 

of those who died in the attack. 

Whereas, on Sunday, August 5, 2012, a mass shooting took 

place, fueled by intolerance, killing 6 worshipers at the 

Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, a Gurdwara, in Oak Creek, 

Wisconsin; 

Whereas the attack occurred as members of the congregation 

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•HRES 698 IH 

tors to Gurdwaras, regardless of their race, religion, sex, 

or social background; 

Whereas 4 individuals were injured including a responding officer, Lieutenant Brian Murphy, who was shot 15 times 

at close range; 

Whereas Lieutenant Brian Murphy and all the first responders to the Oak Creek Gurdwara demonstrated great courage in their quick response to the shooting, ultimately 

saving lives; 

Whereas in the United States, Sikhs have endured high levels 

of stereotyping, bullying, and violence, all of which rose 

dramatically in the wake of the attacks of September 11, 

2001; 

Whereas the Associated Press reported that more than 700 

such incidents of intolerance targeting Sikhs took place 

over the last decade; 

Whereas the Oak Creek shooting was one of the most lethal 

attacks on a place of worship in the United States since 

the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church and 

another sad example of violence and intolerance against 

Sikhs; 

Whereas the Sikh community responded to the shooting in 

Oak Creek with compassion and stayed true to the Sikh 

principle of Chardi Kala, remaining in high spirits; 

Whereas although the effects of this shooting will be felt for 

years to come, the Oak Creek community will continue to 

overcome the tragedy and become stronger than before 

with a renewed sense of oneness, understanding, and cooperation; and 

Whereas the August 5, 2012, shooting was not just a Sikh 

tragedy, but an American tragedy: Now, therefore, be it 


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•HRES 698 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) condemns in the strongest possible terms 

3 the horrific attack that occurred at the Sikh Temple 

4 of Wisconsin on August 5, 2012; 

5 (2) honors the memory of Suveg Singh Khattra, 

6 Satwant Singh Kaleka, Ranjit Singh, Sita Singh, 

7 Paramjit Kaur, and Prakash Singh, who died in the 

8 attack; 

9 (3) offers its heartfelt condolences to the fami10 lies, friends, and loved ones of those who died in the 

11 attack; 

12 (4) applauds the bravery of Lieutenant Brian 

13 Murphy and other first responders who prevented 

14 the gunman from potentially taking more lives and 

15 quickly treated wounded individuals; and 

16 (5) condemns intolerance, including religious 

17 and racial discrimination, and calls for continued 

18 vigilance against violence. 

Æ 


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