Congress condemns Holocaust museum shooting

Both houses of Congress passed resolutions Thursday condemning the shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and expressing condolences to the family of  slain security officer Stephen Johns. The House resolution, authored by Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.), can be seen here. The Senate version, written by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), is after the jump — as well as the press releases from Cardin and Klein announcing the passage of their legislation:[[READMORE]]

First, Cardin’s press release and his resolution:

CARDIN LEADS SENATE IN CONDEMING HATE-BASED SHOOTING AT U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM

Senate Resolution honors slain guard, urges all leaders to speak out against anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), praised the Senate for its swift and unanimous action today offering its condolences to the family of Officer Stephen T. Johns, a Maryland resident who gave his life to save countless others, during a shooting yesterday at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Senator Cardin authored the resolution co-sponsored by every Senator that also condemned acts of violence and harassment based on any form of prejudice or hate, and called upon leaders of all Nations to speak out against the manifestations of anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred.

“The Senate has come together in one voice today to declare that equality and liberty will prevail over any who would use hate and bigotry to frighten or intimidate others. We must join together to fight anti-Semitism, racism, and hate of any kind, before it begins and grows, leading to tragedies like yesterday’s shooting. My thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Officer Johns, and his colleagues at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, who have lost a good man and a courageous soul,” said Senator Cardin.

Senator Cardin serves as Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which is an independent agency of the federal government charged with monitoring compliance with the Helsinki Accords and advancing human rights and democracy in 56 countries of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Eliminating incidents of anti-Semitism and hate crimes has been a key priority of the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

The text of the Senate Resolution follows:

S. Res. 184

Offering deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Stephen T. Johns and calling on the leaders of all Nations to speak out against the manifestations of anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

RESOLUTION

Offering deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Stephen T. Johns and calling on the leaders of all Nations to speak out against the manifestations of anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred.

Whereas the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum was established as a ‘‘living memorial that stimulates leaders and citizens to confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy’’;

Whereas, since the dedication of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has welcomed nearly 30,000,000 visitors, including more than 8,000,000 school children and 85 heads of state;

Whereas, on June 10, 2009, in an assault at the entrance of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Officer Stephen T. Johns of Temple Hills, Maryland, was fatally wounded and died heroically in the line of duty;

Whereas, in the wake of this heinous act of violence, the people of the United States should renew the commitment to end bigotry, intolerance, and hatred; and

Whereas there is no place in the society of the United States for individuals who seek to harm or deny rights to others, especially based on religion, race, or ethnic identity: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) offers deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Stephen T. Johns;

(2) commends the staff members of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for their courage and bravery in responding to the attack on June 10, 2009;

(3) condemns anti-Semitism and all forms of religious, ethnic, and racial bigotry;

(4) condemns acts of physical violence against, and harassment of, people based on race, gender, ethnicity, or religious affiliation; and

(5) calls on the leaders of all Nations to speak out against the manifestations of anti-Semitism, bigotry, and hatred.

And Klein’s release:

Klein Legislation Honoring Guard Killed During Holocaust Museum Shooting Passes House Unanimously

Washington, D.C.  – A resolution authored by Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) honoring Stephen T. Johns, the security officer tragically killed yesterday in a shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, was passed unanimously by the U.S. House this afternoon.

Klein’s bipartisan legislation (H.Res. 529) condemns the violent attack on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 10, 2009 and honors the bravery and dedication of employees and security personnel involved. Klein is the co-chair of the Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism.

“Today, the United States House of Representatives spoke with one voice: acts of hatred and violence cannot and will not be tolerated in our country,” Klein said. “We offer our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Officer Stephen T. Johns, and each of us shares their grief and horror at the unspeakable crime committed at the Holocaust Memorial Museum yesterday.

“This legislation states that the U.S. House will redouble our commitment to advancing the mission of the Holocaust Memorial Museum, which is to educate people about the Holocaust and fight against anti-Semitism, racism, hatred and intolerance. This crime has only strengthened our resolve to speak out against vile acts of hate, wherever they may occur.

“In this bill, we urge the American people to join the House of Representatives in condemning this act of violence and intolerance, because only by standing together can we begin to heal and fight against future acts hatred.”