Connie Morella on War & Peace Former Republican Representative (MD-8)

Voted NO on disallowing the invasion of Kosovo.

Condemns anti-Muslim bigotry in name of anti-terrorism.

Title: Condemning bigotry and violence against Sikh Americans in the wake of terrorist attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001.

Summary: Declares that, in the quest to identify, locate, and bring to justice the perpetrators and sponsors of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the civil rights and liberties of all Americans, including Sikh-Americans, should be protected.

• Condemns bigotry and acts of violence or discrimination against any Americans, including Sikh-Americans.
• Calls upon local and Federal law enforcement authorities to: (1) work to prevent hate crimes against all Americans; and (2) prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all those who commit hate crimes.

Supports $48 billion in new spending for anti-terrorism.

The Republican Main Street Partnership (RMSP), the largest group of moderate GOP elected officials in the nation, applauds President Bush's call for $48 Billion in new defense spending to win the war on terrorism, provide for homeland defense and modernize the U.S. military.

Main Street Moderates, also offer support for the President's "Homeland Defense" initiative that strengthens border security ($2.1 Billion Increase), bulks up INS and Customs inspectors and agents (focusing on the northern border), and proposes a 500% increase in "Bio-Terrorism" spending. These were part of the RMSP Anti-Terrorism Policy proposed by key Main Street members Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT) and others shortly after Sept. 11th. Sen. Snowe called "the President's proposals to boost funding for the Coast Guard, border security and customs right on target." "By focusing on these issues (Defense and Homeland Security), he's clearly in touch with what's most important to the American people," said fellow Main Street member Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY).

Wage war on Terrorism, not on fellow Americans.

On behalf of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-American Affairs, we offer our deepest condolences to those suffering from the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC. We strongly condemn terrorism of any kind.

As Americans, we must honor the victims of terrorism by upholding fundamental American ideals of freedom and democracy. We must not express our fears and anger by indiscriminately striking out against those with different names, skin color, religion, or origin.

Within the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, there have been reported incidents of hate crimes committed against Arab Americans and Americans f South Asian descent.

We urge restraint and ask Americans to wage war on terrorism—not on fellow Americans. While we all experience the shock and anger in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy, we should not direct our hostility toward our neighbors in ethnic communities across the country.

America must not take revenge by blind retribution. We must preserve fundamental civil rights and defend the rights of Arab and South Asian Americans, who are our neighbors, friends, and colleagues.