Floor SpeechCeremonial2024-09-18

VANDALS DEFACED BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

TradeCrime & Justice

Context

On 2024-09-18, Representative Thomas R. Suozzi (D-NY-3) delivered a floor speech titled "VANDALS DEFACED BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR" in the House. The speech addressed trade policy and also covered crime and justice.

Full Text

VANDALS DEFACED BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR

Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)] [House] [Page H5325] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] VANDALS DEFACED BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Hageman). The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi) for 5 minutes. Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, we all know that hate has always been a part of the human existence, but we see so many hate crimes today. Late Sunday night, vandals defaced the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Long Island with vile hate and bigotry against the Hindu community. I have seen Hindus many times, and many of you have as well, when they place their hands together and they bow and they say ``namaste,'' ``I bow to you.'' When they do that, they are recognizing the divinity in the person in front of them. They are showing their respect for the person in front of them. We really need to recognize that with all of our fellow human beings, that we are all special, made in God's image, and we need to treat each other with more respect. What is happening that we see these acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate happening so often? Is it because of the inflammatory rhetoric we hear all the time? Is it because of extremism? Is it because of the lack of accountability? What do we need to do to address this problem because hate is not the answer. Love is the answer. In the short term, we need to hold vandals, criminals, and people who commit hate crimes accountable. We need law enforcement to work to apprehend these criminals, and we need prosecutors to prosecute them to hold them accountable because people can't just say whatever they want regardless of the impact it has on other human beings. In the long term, we need to do a much better job educating people about the importance of love and of respect for other people. On Monday, I stood in unity with the BAPS community gathering with State and local officials, people from different religions, Democrats and Republicans from the Federal, State, and local level. We spoke out for the values that the people of the BAPS community stand for, that Long Islanders stand for, that New Yorkers stand for, and that Americans stand for. Let's remember the importance of mutual respect and love and the role they play here in our country and in our world. Love will always win out. ____________________

View original source →

VANDALS DEFACED BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR Congressional Record, Volume 170 Issue 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024) [Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 145 (Wednesday, September 18, 2024)] [House] [Page H5325] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] VANDALS DEFACED BAPS SHRI SWAMINARAYAN MANDIR The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Hageman). The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York (Mr. Suozzi) for 5 minutes. Mr. SUOZZI. Madam Speaker, we all know that hate has always been a part of the human existence, but we see so many hate crimes today. Late Sunday night, vandals defaced the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Long Island with vile hate and bigotry against the Hindu community. I have seen Hindus many times, and many of you have as well, when they place their hands together and they bow and they say ``namaste,'' ``I bow to you.'' When they do that, they are recognizing the divinity in the person in front of them. They are showing their respect for the person in front of them. We really need to recognize that with all of our fellow human beings, that we are all special, made in God's image, and we need to treat each other with more respect. What is happening that we see these acts of vandalism, bigotry, and hate happening so often? Is it because of the inflammatory rhetoric we hear all the time? Is it because of extremism? Is it because of the lack of accountability? What do we need to do to address this problem because hate is not the answer. Love is the answer. In the short term, we need to hold vandals, criminals, and people who commit hate crimes accountable. We need law enforcement to work to apprehend these criminals, and we need prosecutors to prosecute them to hold them accountable because people can't just say whatever they want regardless of the impact it has on other human beings. In the long term, we need to do a much better job educating people about the importance of love and of respect for other people. On Monday, I stood in unity with the BAPS community gathering with State and local officials, people from different religions, Democrats and Republicans from the Federal, State, and local level. We spoke out for the values that the people of the BAPS community stand for, that Long Islanders stand for, that New Yorkers stand for, and that Americans stand for. Let's remember the importance of mutual respect and love and the role they play here in our country and in our world. Love will always win out. ____________________