III 

117TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 361 

Expressing support for the recognition of July as ‘‘Muslim-American Heritage 

Month’’ and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim Americans 

in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 

Mr. BOOKER (for himself, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. COONS, Ms. DUCKWORTH, 

Mr. DURBIN, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. PADILLA, and Mr. 

VAN HOLLEN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the recognition of July as ‘‘MuslimAmerican Heritage Month’’ and celebrating the heritage 

and culture of Muslim Americans in the United States. 

Whereas the Senate is proud to recognize and commemorate 

‘‘Muslim-American Heritage Month’’, an observance that 

celebrates the contributions of Muslim Americans; 

Whereas in keeping with its time-honored traditions, the Senate recognizes and pays tribute to those who foster cultural pride and enhance the profile of diverse communities across the United States; 

Whereas immigration of Muslims to the colonies of the 

United States began with the arrival of indentured workers; 


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•SRES 361 IS 

Whereas, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of slaves of Muslim heritage were brought 

to the United States; 

Whereas, in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, successive 

waves of immigration brought additional Muslims to the 

United States, who sought to pursue economic and social 

opportunity as well as freedom of religion and enriched 

the fabric of the society of the United States as business 

owners, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, humanitarians, scientists, and students; 

Whereas Muslim Americans contribute greatly to charitable 

organizations that help people from all faiths in the 

United States and around the world by feeding the hungry, providing recuperation efforts following natural disasters, and providing medical assistance, family services, 

scholastic supplies, and before- and after-school programs; 

Whereas Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of 

the society of the United States to make advancements 

in architecture, arts, business, culture, diplomacy, government, law, medicine, the military, national security, religion, and sports; 

Whereas Bangladeshi-American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his 

mark on cityscapes in the United States by pioneering a 

new structural system of frame tubes used to construct 

iconic buildings like the World Trade Center in New 

York City, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, and the Willis ‘‘Sears’’ Tower in Chicago; 

Whereas many Muslim Americans pursue the American 

dream and contribute to the Nation’s economy as business owners and entrepreneurs, including Pakistani-born 


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billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the auto-parts company Flex-N-Gate and the National Football League 

Jacksonville Jaguars; 

Whereas Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi’s invention of the 

ice cream cone is a practical confection with a near ubiquitous presence in the lives of the people of the United 

States; 

Whereas, in 2006, Keith Ellison of Minnesota was elected to 

the House of Representatives, becoming the first Muslim 

American to serve in Congress; 

Whereas, in 2008, Ambassador Sada Cumber was appointed 

by President George W. Bush to serve as first Special 

Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference 

from the United States, representing the United States 

to 57 Muslim-majority nations; 

Whereas, in 2021, Zahid Quraishi was confirmed as the first 

Muslim American to serve as an Article III Federal judge 

as a District Judge of the United States District Court 

for the District of New Jersey; 

Whereas Pakistani-American neurosurgeon Ayub Ommaya’s 

invention of the intraventricular catheter system provides 

chemotherapy to treat brain tumors; 

Whereas Muslim Americans have fought in support of the 

United States in every major war, from Bampett 

Muhamed and Yusuf Ben Ali under the command of 

General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War to Captain Humayun Khan, who made the 

ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in 2004; 

Whereas Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the first Muslim 

American to deliver the invocation for the Senate, and 

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, the civil rights activist and reVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:18 Sep 15, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR361.IS SR361

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former also known as Malcolm X, were prominent religious leaders and scholars; 

Whereas professional athletes like National Basketball Association Hall of Fame members Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 

Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille O’Neal, and 2-time 

world heavyweight champion Hasim Shariff Rahman 

thrilled sports fans across the Nation and around the 

globe during their respective careers; 

Whereas Olympians, like boxer Muhammad Ali, track and 

field athlete Dalilah Muhammad, and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, won medals in international competitions; 

Whereas, with roots in at least 77 different countries, and 

identifying racially as White, Black, Arab, and Asian, 

Muslim Americans are an extremely diverse population; 

Whereas the current population of Muslims living in the 

United States is estimated at more than 3,450,000; 

Whereas more than 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty and 

more than 2,300 Muslims serve as selected reserve personnel in the Armed Forces; 

Whereas the Muslim population has been growing in the 

United States and the Muslim-American population is a 

tapestry of ethnic, racial, linguistic, social, and economic 

groups; 

Whereas nearly 50 percent of Muslim Americans have reported experiencing religious discrimination, with that 

number rising to 64 percent for Muslim Americans whose 

appearance identifies them as Muslim, such as women 

who wear the hijab, or headscarf; 

Whereas there is a need for public education, awareness, and 

policies that are culturally competent when describing, 

discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Muslim 


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•SRES 361 IS 

American in all aspects of the society of the United 

States, including in discourse and policy; 

Whereas ‘‘Muslim-American Heritage Month’’ will be observed in the month of July; and 

Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Muslim 

Americans have helped to build a better Nation: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Muslim-Amer3 ican Heritage Month’’; 

4 (2) honors the contributions and integral role of 

5 Muslim Americans in the economy, culture, and 

6 identity of the United States; and 

7 (3) urges the people of the United States to ob8 serve ‘‘Muslim-American Heritage Month’’ with ap9 propriate ceremonies, programs, and activities that 

10 celebrate the contributions of Muslim Americans to 

11 the United States. 

Æ 


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