WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes and is proud of its religious pluralism and diversity; and
WHEREAS, Muslim residents live in many of Philadelphia's neighborhoods, and contribute in countless ways to civic life in those communities; and
WHEREAS, The Declaration of Independence of the United States, which was written in Philadelphia, holds as self-evident that all people are created equal and endowed with the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has been and remains committed to the protection of civil rights and liberties for all residents; and
WHEREAS, United States Representative Peter King (R-NY), Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, has called for hearings into the Radicalization of Muslim Americans; and
WHEREAS, Investigating and accurately analyzing terrorist threats to the United States is of crucial importance to national security; and
WHEREAS, A 2007 Pew Foundation study concluded that Muslim Americans are largely assimilated, happy with their lives, and moderate with respect to many of the issues that have divided Muslims and Westerners around the world, and a 2011 Triangle Research Center report found that tips from the Muslim American community provided the source of information that led to a terrorist plot being thwarted in 48 of 120 cases involving Muslim Americans; and
WHEREAS, Public statements by Representative King have not provided factual justification for the hearings' exclusive focus on Muslim Americans; therefore
RESOLVED, That the City of Philadelphia recognizes that inflammatory political discourse by elected officials aimed at a single community not only unfairly stigmatizes and alienates that community but also infringes on the rights and liberties of all communities, has no place in our society, and runs contrary to our nation's values; therefore
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the City Council of Philadelphia firmly rejects the hearings proposed by Representative King and calls on the Pennsylvania Delegation to the United States Congress to reject the hearings proposed by Representative King on the so-called radicalization of the American Muslim Community; therefore
FINALLY RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to United States Representative Peter King (R-NY).
End