84R15119 KMW-D

By: Anchia H.R. No. 1439

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Acts of anti-Semitism in countries throughout the world have increased in frequency and severity over the last several years; and

WHEREAS, The gravity of the situation escalated substantially in 2014 when incidents of murder, violent attacks and death threats, gun violence, arson, graffiti, anti-Semitic cartoons, and property desecration at cemeteries and places of worship and communal activity were recorded in Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, In April 2014, the U.S. Department of State released the International Religious Freedom Report and noted, "[t]hroughout Europe, the historical stain of anti-Semitism continued to be a fact of life, leading many individuals who are Jewish to conceal their religious identity"; and

WHEREAS, A recent European Union Fundamental Rights Agency survey in eight countries found that 25 percent of the Jews interviewed reported that they had been victims of an anti-Semitic episode in the past year, and many Jewish citizens of the EU are thinking of emigrating because of the mounting anti-Semitic violence and their increased security concerns; and

WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of every citizen to take a strong stand against anti-Semitism and any religious and cultural intolerance; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby express its condemnation of all forms of domestic and global anti-Semitism; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives:

(1) condemn all official and unofficial sanctioning of anti-Semitic activity by any government;

(2) express its continued commitment to combating anti-Semitism and to promoting tolerance at home and abroad;

(3) urge all governments to take all steps necessary to eradicate anti-Semitism, prevent extremist indoctrination and recruitment, and promote religious tolerance; and

(4) express its support of expanded Holocaust education programs that increase awareness and counter intolerance and discrimination; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives call on all citizens and entities to continue to be vigilant in their efforts to prevent anti-Semitism and to report acts of anti-Semitism, hate crimes, and other violations of human rights and religious freedom.