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 116TH CONGRESS 2D SESSION H. RES. 940 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 23, 2020 Ms. JOHNSON of Texas (for herself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. OMAR, Ms. TLAIB, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. RUSH, Ms. NORTON, Mr. HAS- TINGS, Mr. GREEN of Texas, Mr. PASCRELL, Ms. WEXTON, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI, Mr. VEASEY, Ms. ESHOO, Mrs. WATSON COLE- MAN, Ms. JAYAPAL, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. MCNERNEY, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Ms. LOFGREN, and Ms. PORTER) 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 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; 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 22:07 Apr 23, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR940.IH HR940 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 940 IH Whereas the observance of the Muslim holy month of Rama- dan commences at dusk on April 23, 2020, 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 Muslims contribute greatly to charitable organiza- tions 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 recu- peration 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 com- munity; 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; VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:07 Apr 23, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR940.IH HR940 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 940 IH Whereas the Pentagon has held an iftar dinner every year since 1999, recognizing the thousands of 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, most Muslims around the world are making every effort to support self-quarantine and phys- ical distancing due to the COVID–19 pandemic as ad- vised by local, regional, State, and national public health or government authorities; Whereas American houses of faith, community centers, schools, and other public centers have made a great sac- rifice in suspending all nonessential gatherings until fur- ther notice, 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 and Rama- dan 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 the United States and throughout the world, the 4 House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic 5 faith as one of the great religions of the world; and 6 (2) in observance of and out of respect for the 7 commencement of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month 8 VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:07 Apr 23, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR940.IH HR940 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 940 IH of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Rep- 1 resentatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and 2 expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the 3 United States and throughout the world on this sig- 4 nificant occasion. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 22:07 Apr 23, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR940.IH HR940 pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS