Bill Text: TX HCR85 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Designating March 15 as the Day to Combat Islamophobia for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2025-03-05 - Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism [HCR85 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HCR85-Introduced.html
| 89R12725 BK-D | ||
| By: Bhojani | H.C.R. No. 85 | |
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| WHEREAS, Islamophobia, defined as irrational fear, hatred, | ||
| or discrimination directed at Islam and Muslims, has led to an | ||
| increased incidence of hate crimes and acts of intolerance in the | ||
| United States and around the world; and | ||
| WHEREAS, March 15 marks the anniversary of the 2019 | ||
| Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, an act of terror that | ||
| resulted in the deaths of 51 innocent worshippers; this tragic | ||
| event occurred amid a surge in anti-Muslim violence and underscores | ||
| the urgent need to address Islamophobic hate and promote interfaith | ||
| understanding; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Texas is home to a diverse population, which | ||
| includes a vibrant and growing Muslim community that has made | ||
| significant contributions to the social, cultural, and economic | ||
| fabric of the state; in recent years, its members have been forced | ||
| to deal with alarming incidents of violence, intolerance, and | ||
| bigotry; and | ||
| WHEREAS, On January 28, 2017, the Victoria Islamic Center was | ||
| the target of an arson attack that destroyed the place of worship | ||
| and deeply impacted the local Muslim community; and | ||
| WHEREAS, On May 19, 2024, a hate crime was committed against a | ||
| Muslim woman and her two children at a public swimming pool in | ||
| Euless; the attacker interrogated the woman in a racially charged | ||
| manner before assaulting the woman's six-year-old son and | ||
| attempting to drown her three-year-old daughter; both children | ||
| survived, thanks to the efforts of the mother and a bystander; and | ||
| WHEREAS, It is estimated that there are hundreds of | ||
| Islamophobic incidents in Texas each year, and that many more go | ||
| unreported; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The designation of a Day to Combat Islamophobia will | ||
| serve to reinforce the importance of fostering mutual | ||
| understanding, interfaith dialogue, and respect for all religious | ||
| communities; moreover, the observance offers a fitting opportunity | ||
| to promote educational initiatives, policy discussions, and other | ||
| forms of community engagement to counter Islamophobia and encourage | ||
| inclusivity; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Through this observance, the State of Texas is | ||
| reaffirming its commitment to standing against all forms of hatred, | ||
| bigotry, and discrimination and protecting the civil rights and | ||
| religious freedoms of all of its residents; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby designate March 15 as the Day to Combat Islamophobia; and, be | ||
| it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of | ||
| Section 391.004(d), Government Code, this designation remain in | ||
| effect until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is | ||
| finally passed by the legislature. | ||
