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.