P1 1WHEREAS, Freedom of religion holds distinction as a cherished
2right and a foundational value upon which the laws and ethics of
3the United States are based; and
4WHEREAS, Enriched by the unparalleled diversity of its
5residents, the State of California takes great pride in supporting
6individual religious freedoms and is strengthened by the many
7varied religious, political, and cultural traditions of its diverse
8population, including those Americans who practice Islam; and
9WHEREAS, The history of Islam in this country dates back to
10before its founding, originating with African slaves who brought
11their Muslim beliefs with them to the Americas and who later
12contributed in numerous ways to the founding of the nation, and
P2 1there are today millions of Muslim Americans, both immigrant
2and native-born, of diverse backgrounds and beliefs; and
3WHEREAS, The United States benefits greatly from the
4expertise, patriotism, and humanitarianism of Muslim Americans,
5who represent 10 percent of America’s physicians, helping to heal
6hundreds of thousands of Americans each year; who have long
7distinguished themselves as courageous and dedicated members
8of the United States Armed Forces, fighting and sacrificing in
9every major war from the American Revolutionary War to
10present-day conflicts; and who regularly contribute to the health
11and vitality of their communities, giving food to the hungry,
12sheltering the needy, and providing inexpensive or free health
13services, among other community services; and
14WHEREAS, The earliest Muslim immigrants to California
15mostly worked on farms and made significant contributions to
16early agricultural efforts, and since the abolition of the national
17quota on immigration in 1965 by the passage of the Hart-Celler
18Act, more and more Muslims have migrated to California, with
19approximately one million Muslim Americans currently residing
20in communities throughout the state, the highest number in the
21United States; and
22WHEREAS, Similarly, there are currently more than 240
23mosques in California, more than any other state in the nation, and
24the people of California and the greater United States benefit from
25the several large Muslim religious, educational, charitable,
26advocacy, and empowerment organizations that operate within the
27state, as well as from the countless prominent Muslim community
28leaders who distinguish themselves professionally as business
29owners, law professionals, doctors, engineers, teachers, and
30farmers, among numerous other valued professions; and
31WHEREAS, Although the majority of Muslim Americans within
32California and throughout the nation strive to promote peace and
33understanding between all faiths, identities, and nationalities while
34upholding those values and principles that define the American
35people, they have nonetheless been forced to endure harassment,
36assault, and discrimination since the terrorist attack on September
3711, 2001, and during the year 2015 alone, there were approximately
38174 reported incidents of anti-Muslim violence and vandalism in
39the United States. It is therefore appropriate to acknowledge and
40promote awareness of the myriad invaluable contributions of
P3 1Muslim Americans in California and across the country, and extend
2to them the respect and camaraderie every American deserves;
3now, therefore, be it
4Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
5Assembly joins communities throughout the State of California
6in recognizing the month of August 2016 as Muslim Appreciation
7and Awareness Month, respectfully acknowledges the rich history
8and guiding virtues of Muslim Americans, and commends Muslim
9communities in California for the lasting positive impact they have
10made, and continue to make, toward the advancement of the state
11and the nation; and be it further
12Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
13of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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