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.

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 302 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. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APRIL 12, 2021 Ms. JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. CARSON, Ms. OMAR, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. PRESSLEY, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. BOW- MAN, Mrs. DINGELL, Ms. NORTON, Ms. SHERRILL, Ms. LEE of Cali- fornia, Ms. CRAIG, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. SOTO, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. MOULTON) sub- mitted 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 com- mending 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 and 3,500,000 Mus- lims in the United States; Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:55 Apr 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR302.IH HR302 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 302 IH Whereas the observance of the Muslim holy month of Rama- dan commences at dusk on April 12, 2021, 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 un- derstanding of the plight faced by those who are less for- tunate; Whereas American 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, food to the hungry, and relief efforts following natural disasters; Whereas American Muslims have contributed greatly to the United States, serving as medical professionals, teachers, first responders, journalists, writers, artists, athletes, small business owners, professors, activists, community leaders, and elected public officials across government representing both major political parties; Whereas the American Muslim community is among the most racially diverse faith groups in the United States; 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 com- munity; VerDate Sep 11 2014 01:53 Apr 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR302.IH HR302 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 302 IH Whereas the Department of Agriculture has hosted iftar din- ners since 2008 to recognize and welcome interfaith dia- logue and collaboration with individuals and organiza- tions whose core values often overlap significantly with the mission of the Department, including disaster recov- ery, reducing food waste, ensuring access to nutritious food, and fostering safe, prosperous, and thriving commu- nities; Whereas the Pentagon has held iftar dinners to celebrate Ramadan starting in 1999, recognizing American Mus- lims serving in all branches of the United States military; 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; Whereas this Ramadan, Muslims in the United States and around the world are making every effort to support self- quarantine and physical distancing due to the COVID– 19 pandemic as advised by public health authorities; Whereas American houses of faith, community centers, schools, and other public centers have made a great sac- rifice in suspending all nonessential gatherings since March 2020, including services for major religious events such as Ramadan, Passover, and Easter; and Whereas Muslims, like other faith communities, during these trying times are finding new ways to bridge the gap of physical distancing by celebrating their faith online through virtual congregational sermons and community events: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That— 1 (1) in order to demonstrate solidarity with and 2 support for members of the community of Islam in 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:55 Apr 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR302.IH HR302 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 302 IH the United States and throughout the world, the 1 House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic 2 faith as one of the great religions of the world; and 3 (2) in observance of and out of respect for the 4 commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month 5 of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Rep- 6 resentatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and 7 expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the 8 United States and throughout the world on this sig- 9 nificant occasion. 10 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:55 Apr 13, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR302.IH HR302 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS