IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 283 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Gov-
ernment should takes steps to counter the growth in anti-Muslim senti-
ments, targeted rhetorical attacks, and violence against the Muslim, 
Arab, Sikh, and South Asian American communities. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 26, 2011 
Mr. CONYERS (for himself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. ELLISON, Ms. 
CLARKE
of 
New 
York, 
Mr. 
GUTIERREZ, 
Mr. 
GRIJALVA, 
Mr. 
MCDERMOTT, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Mr. 
HONDA, Ms. WOOLSEY, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. CHU, Mr. SCOTT 
of Virginia, Mr. STARK, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. 
MORAN, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. POLIS, Mr. RUSH, Mr. AL 
GREEN of Texas, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. TONKO, and Mr. FILNER) sub-
mitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
the Judiciary 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 
the Federal Government should takes steps to counter 
the growth in anti-Muslim sentiments, targeted rhetorical 
attacks, and violence against the Muslim, Arab, Sikh, 
and South Asian American communities. 
Whereas the United States is a country founded on the prin-
ciples of tolerance and religious freedom, as embodied in 
the First Amendment of the Constitution; 
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•HRES 283 IH 
Whereas the protection of these principles is vital to the on-
going sense of community shared by the diverse peoples 
and religious groups of the United States; 
Whereas violent extremism is a serious threat to the sense of 
community fostered by the First Amendment and is per-
petrated by individuals from a variety of racial, ethnic, 
religious, and political backgrounds; 
Whereas the investigation of violent extremism must be care-
ful to proceed based on the facts, not innuendo and opin-
ion, and critically relies on the cooperation and con-
fidence of the public; 
Whereas law enforcement and government officials should 
avoid conduct that raises the specter of unconstitutional 
profiling, including the assignment of blame or targeting 
members of an entire religious, ethnic, or geographical 
community for increased suspicion, based on the conduct 
of a single or small group of individuals; 
Whereas American Muslims have a centuries-long history of 
playing crucial roles in the United States Armed Forces 
and law enforcement, and as business leaders, doctors, 
lawyers, and teachers and are an integral part of diverse 
communities in cities and small towns throughout the 
United States; 
Whereas American Muslims, like all citizens of the United 
States, want to live in safe communities, do their part to 
keep communities safe, and should enjoy the same rights 
and freedoms guaranteed to all citizens of the United 
States; 
Whereas there exists in the United States today a disturbing 
and dangerous trend of anti-Muslim rhetoric and bigotry, 
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•HRES 283 IH 
evidenced by attacks against individuals, religious institu-
tions, and entire communities; 
Whereas Congress has a solemn duty to ensure that its ac-
tions do not fuel misconceptions about, and prejudices to-
ward, any faith community, including the American Mus-
lim community and Islam; 
Whereas putting an entire community under suspicion erodes 
trust in government and law enforcement at all levels, 
which, in turn, undermines public safety; 
Whereas targeting American Muslims for scrutiny based on 
their religion goes against the core principles of religious 
freedom and equal protection under the law; 
Whereas a 2006 study commissioned by the United States 
Department of Justice found that Arab Americans were 
suspicious of Federal law enforcement due to government 
policies and that both community members and law en-
forcement officers determined that diminished trust was 
the most important barrier to cooperation; and 
Whereas scores of religious, civil rights, law enforcement, and 
national security leaders and organizations representing 
diverse citizens of the United States and areas of exper-
tise are concerned about hearings which appear to target 
the American Muslim community: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) investigations into radicalization in the 
United States should focus on the criminal behavior 
of individuals and avoid creating the impression of 
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•HRES 283 IH 
unconstitutional profiling based on constitutionally 
protected beliefs and activities; and 
(2) the Federal Government should take steps 
to counter the growth in anti-Muslim sentiments, 
targeted rhetorical attacks, and violence against the 
Muslim, Arab, Sikh, and South Asian American 
communities. 
Æ 
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