H.Res. 61

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 61 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 61

Expressing support for the recognition of January as ``Muslim-American 
Heritage Month'' and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim 
Americans in the United States.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 23, 2025

Mr. Carson (for himself, Ms. Omar, Ms. Simon, and Ms. Tlaib) submitted 
the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the recognition of January as ``Muslim-American 
Heritage Month'' and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim 
Americans in the United States.

Whereas the House of Representatives is proud to recognize and commemorate 
``Muslim-American Heritage Month'', an observance that celebrates the 
contributions of Muslim Americans;
Whereas, in keeping with its time-honored traditions, the House of 
Representatives recognizes and pays tribute to those who foster cultural 
pride and enhance the profile of diverse communities across the United 
States;
Whereas immigration of Muslims to the American colonies began with the arrival 
of indentured workers;
Whereas, during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a significant number of 
slaves of Muslim heritage were brought to the United States;
Whereas, in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, successive waves of immigration 
brought additional Muslims to the United States, who sought to pursue 
economic and social opportunity, as well as freedom of religion, and 
enriched the fabric of the society of the United States as business 
owners, entrepreneurs, health care professionals, humanitarians, 
scientists, and students;
Whereas Muslim Americans 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, and scholastic supplies, 
running before- and after-school programs, feeding the hungry, and 
providing recuperation efforts following natural disasters;
Whereas Muslim Americans have contributed to every part of the society of the 
United States by making advancements in architecture, arts, business, 
culture, government, law, medicine, the military, religion, and sports;
Whereas Bangladeshi-American Fazlur Rahman Khan left his mark on the cityscapes 
of the United States by pioneering a new structural system of frame 
tubes used to construct iconic buildings like the World Trade Center in 
New York City, New York, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Willis ``Sears'' Tower in Chicago, 
Illinois;
Whereas many Muslim Americans pursue the American dream and contribute to the 
economy of the United States as business owners and entrepreneurs, 
including Pakistani-born billionaire Shahid Khan, owner of the auto-
parts company Flex-N-Gate and the National Football League's 
Jacksonville Jaguars;
Whereas Syrian immigrant Ernest Hamwi's invention of the ice cream cone is a 
practical confection with a near ubiquitous presence in the life of the 
people of the United States;
Whereas, in 2006, Keith Ellison of Minnesota was elected to the House of 
Representatives, becoming the first Muslim American to serve in 
Congress;
Whereas, in 2008, Ambassador Sada Cumber was appointed by President George W. 
Bush to serve as the first Special Envoy to the Organization of the 
Islamic Conference from the United States, representing the United 
States to 57 Muslim-majority nations;
Whereas, in 2015, Andre Carson of Indiana, the second Muslim American elected to 
the House of Representatives, became the first Muslim American to serve 
on the House Select Committee on Intelligence;
Whereas actor Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim American to win an Oscar 
for his supporting role in ``Moonlight'' in 2017;
Whereas, in 2018, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota were 
elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the first Muslim-
American women to serve in Congress;
Whereas, in 2021, Zahid Quraishi was confirmed as the first Muslim American to 
serve as an article III Federal judge as a district judge of the United 
States District Court for the District of New Jersey;
Whereas, in 2021, Rashad Hussain was confirmed as the first Muslim American to 
serve as the United States Ambassador-at-Large for International 
Religious Freedom;
Whereas Pakistani-American neurosurgeon Ayub Ommaya's invention of the 
intraventricular catheter system provides chemotherapy to treat brain 
tumors;
Whereas Muslim Americans have fought in support of the United States in every 
major war, from Bampett Muhamed and Yusuf Ben Ali under the command of 
General George Washington in the American Revolutionary War, to Captain 
Humayun Khan, who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq in 2004;
Whereas Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, the first Muslim American to deliver the 
invocation for the Senate, and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, the civil 
rights activist and reformer also known as Malcolm X, were prominent 
religious leaders and scholars;
Whereas Muslim-American professional athletes like Naismith Memorial Basketball 
Hall of Fame members Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Shaquille 
O'Neal and 2-time world heavyweight champion Hasim Shariff Rahman 
thrilled sports fans across the United States and around the globe 
during their respective careers;
Whereas Muslim-American Olympians, such as boxer Muhammad Ali, track and field 
athlete Dalilah Muhammad, and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, won medals in 
international competitions;
Whereas, with roots in at least 77 different countries and identifying racially 
as White, Black, Arab, and Asian, Muslim Americans are an extremely 
diverse population;
Whereas the current population of Muslims living in the United States is 
estimated at over 3,450,000 individuals;
Whereas over 4,500 Muslims serve on active duty, and over 2,300 Muslims serve as 
selected reserve personnel in the Armed Forces;
Whereas the Muslim population has been growing in the United States, and today's 
Muslim-American population is a tapestry of ethnic, racial, linguistic, 
social, and economic groups;
Whereas nearly 50 percent of Muslim Americans have reported experiencing 
religious discrimination, with that number rising to 64 percent for 
Muslim Americans whose appearance identifies them as Muslim, such as 
women who wear the hijab or headscarf;
Whereas there is a need for public education, awareness, and policies that help 
people be culturally competent when describing, discussing, or 
addressing the impacts that Muslim Americans have on all aspects of the 
society of the United States;
Whereas ``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' will be observed in the month of 
January; and
Whereas the incredible contributions and heritage of Muslim Americans have 
helped to build a better United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the designation of ``Muslim-American Heritage 
Month'';
(2) honors the contributions and integral role of Muslim 
Americans in the economy, culture, and identity of the United 
States; and
(3) urges the people of the United States to observe 
``Muslim-American Heritage Month'' with appropriate ceremonies, 
programs, and activities that celebrate the contributions of 
Muslim Americans to the United States.
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