I've gotten behind on keeping track of Walberg's voting record, and hopefully I can get caught up this weekend. This one, however, deserves some attention now, because it says something about the character of Congressman Walberg. (Thanks to the anonymous commenter who pointed this out.)

H. Res. 635 is one of these fairly meaningless yet nonetheless symbolic resolutions that Congress passes to officially recognize something and feel good about themselves. Here's the text of H. Res. 635:

Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;

Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, some threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of the Islamic faith;

Whereas, on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks on the United States;

Whereas some extremists have attempted to use selective interpretations of Islam to justify and encourage hatred, persecution, oppression, violence and terrorism against the United States, the West, Israel, other Muslims, and non-Muslims;

Whereas some Muslims in the United States and abroad have courageously spoken out in rejection of interpretations of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror, and in support of interpretations of and movements within Islam that justify and encourage democracy, tolerance and full civil and political rights for Muslims and those of all faiths;

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9th month of the Muslim calendar year; and

Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commenced at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world;

(2) expresses friendship and support for Muslims in the United States and worldwide;

(3) acknowledges the onset of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and conveys its respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this occasion;

(4) rejects hatred, bigotry, and violence directed against Muslims, both in the United States and worldwide; and

(5) commends Muslims in the United States and across the globe who have privately and publicly rejected interpretations and movements of Islam that justify and encourage hatred, violence, and terror.

I, personally, find nothing objectionable in that. It's not anti-Muslim, and it's not trying to impose beliefs on anyone or convert anyone to anything. It merely recognizes the month of Ramadan, recognizes that a lot of people are observing it, encourages tolerance, and rejects the false interpretations of Islam that lead to terrorism and violence.

If anything, the resolution is a little late, since Ramadan started September 13. Besides that, is there anything wrong with it? Is there anything wrong with recognizing our own diversity and commending the people who practice their faith peacefully?

Well, apparently there is, because Congressman Tim Walberg couldn't bring himself to vote yes. He voted Present, one of 42 representatives-- one Democrat and 41 Republicans-- who weren't able to love their neighbors and vote yes. The resolution passed the House 376 to 0 to 42, with 14 not voting. Walberg was the only Michigan representative to vote Present.

Walberg is a Christian minister. As such, he ought to admire the courage it takes to be a Muslim in America, with popular culture and the media constantly making that more difficult. He should appreciate the emotional investment it takes to follow one's faith, as he himself should know, and he should be tolerant of those who choose to follow a different faith, just as others are tolerant of whatever brand of Christianity he follows.

There was absolutely no reason not to support this resolution. Walberg didn't vote No, but he went out of his way to avoid voting Yes. That's ridiculous.

Labels: 110th Congress, Faith and Politics, Issues, Tim Walberg, Walberg Voting Record