Oak Creek gurdwara shooting: US House passes resolution condemning ‘senseless attack’

In a show of solidarity with the Sikhs, the US House of Representatives has unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Wisconsin gurdwara shooting that left six worshippers dead last month.

Condemning the August 5 "senseless attack", the resolution, which was introduced last week by Republican vice-presidential candidate Paul Ryan, offers condolences to the families, friends and loved ones who were killed in the attack. It also honours the selfless, dedicated service of the emergency response teams and law enforcement officials who responded to the attack.

Co-sponsored by Congressman Ed Royce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and seven other lawmakers, the resolution remains hopeful that US citizens will come together in a shared desire for peace and justice while standing with the Sikh community to grieve the loss of life.

"With its passage, the US House of Representatives has now made an important statement," Royce said following the unanimous passage of the Congressional resolution.

Other co-sponsors to the resolution were Congressmen Tammy Baldwin; Sean Duffy; Ron Kind; Gwen Moore, Thomas E Petri, Reid J Ribble, and F James Sensenbrenner.

"I was horrified by the shootings, which unfolded in a place of worship. While this resolution might not ease the pain of those affected by this tragedy, it does display our commitment to religious tolerance, to show that we denounce hate-inspired violence," Royce said.

"The Sikh community will overcome this tragedy and we as a country will support them because what impacts them directly impacts all indirectly," Congressman Al Green from Texas said.

Standing in solidarity with the families as well as the victims of the shooting, Green said, "The shooter, blinded by ignorance and hate, underestimated the strength and resolve of the Sikh community. Upon hearing of the shooting, Sikh congregations around the country dedicated their services to the victims of the shooting."

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