OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Reject Discrimination and Uphold Our Values

Floor Speech

Date: March 23, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Religion Criminal Justice

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, I stood with my colleagues on the House floor in a moment of silence as we mourned for the victims in Brussels.

Today, as I watched leading politicians propose discriminatory policies targeting the Muslim community, I cannot be silent. Seventy years ago, my parents and grandparents were held prisoner during World War II without trial and without a reason, other than their Japanese heritage. In that moment, no one was willing to speak up for them. We cannot ignore the lessons of history.

The Muslim community is the most frequent victim of terrorism and our greatest ally in ridding the world of extremism. Responding to Brussels by advocating for patrols of Muslim neighborhoods, or suggesting that we torture our enemies, is not only counterproductive, it violates the moral code that separates us from our enemies.

It is my duty, and it is every American's duty to reject discrimination and uphold our values.

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