Watson Coleman Joins Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism
For Immediate Release:
Washington, DC (July 24, 2015) ― Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announced her cosponsorship of H.Res.130, a resolution condemning the rise of anti-Semitism in the European Union and encouraging greater cooperation in combating anti-Semitic trends:
“With the alarming uptick in anti-Semitic violence and rhetoric seen recently in Europe, it’s critical that the U.S. use its position as a world leader to denounce such actions, and push every one of our allies to address these trends. This legislation is a part of that effort.
“I’m proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring this resolution, and as a member of the Bipartisan Taskforce on Anti-Semitism I will continue to work to promote tolerance, universal liberties, and basic human rights around the world.
H.Res.130 was introduced in the House by Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL-20), and has received endorsements from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA), HIAS, and B’nai B’rith International. Its proposal comes at a time when recent studies have shown a growing trend of anti-Semitism in Europe, including an increasing number of individuals who deny the Holocaust. The bill currently has 75 cosponsors, and is a companion to S.Res.87, which the U.S. Senate passed unanimously on June 3, 2015.
The Bipartisan Taskforce on Anti-Semitism is chaired by Reps. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Nita Lowey (NY-17), Eliot Engel (NY-16), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), Kay Granger (TX-12), Steve Israel (NY-03), Peter Roskam (IL-06), and Ted Deutch (FL-21), and is dedicated to ensuring that Congress develops and implements policies that condemn anti-Semitism and promote tolerance around the world through education for Members of Congress, engagement with the Executive branch and foreign leaders, and cooperation with civil society organizations.