Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

Bill: 116-hres-343
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]
Introduced: 2019-05-01
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Congressional tributes

Religion
Latest action: action_date: 2019-05-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3507)

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-05-01
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world, acknowledges the onset of Ramadan (the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims), and expresses respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion. </p>

tv_txt: IV 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 343 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 1, 2019 Ms. Johnson of Texas (for herself, Mr. Carson of Indiana , Ms. Omar , Ms. Tlaib , Mr. Payne , Ms. McCollum , Ms. Norton , Mr. Rush , Ms. Schakowsky , Mrs. Dingell , Mr. Krishnamoorthi , Mr. Grijalva , Ms. Moore , Mr. Pallone , and Mr. Brown of Maryland ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,800,000,000 Muslims worldwide; Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; Whereas the observance of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on May 5, 2019, and continues for one lunar month; Whereas one of the purposes of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is for Muslims to gain a better understanding of the plight faced by those who are less fortunate; Whereas Muslims contribute greatly to charitable organizations that help people from all faiths in the United States and around the world by providing medical assistance, family services, scholastic supplies, before- and after-school programs, feeding the hungry, and providing recuperation efforts following natural disasters; Whereas Thomas Jefferson was the first President to host an iftar, the meal breaking fast during Ramadan, at the White House in 1805 and every President since 1996 has hosted an iftar for members of the community during their presidencies; Whereas the Department of State and United States Agency for International Development have hosted iftars through the years for staff and members of the diplomatic community; Whereas the Department of Agriculture has hosted iftar dinners since 2008 to recognize and welcome interfaith dialogue and collaboration with individuals and organizations whose core values often overlap significantly with the mission of the Department, including disaster recovery, reducing food waste, ensuring access to nutritious food, and fostering safe, prosperous, and thriving communities; Whereas the Pentagon has held an iftar dinner every year since 1999, recognizing the thousands of American Muslims serving in all branches of the United States military; and Whereas over 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty and over 2,300 Muslims serve as selected reserve personnel in the United States Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it

That— (1) in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and (2) in observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.