Crowley-Mahoney Bill Passes U.S. House of Representatives 9/9/2008 Contact: (202) 225-3965 Foreign Affairs press release Crowley-Mahoney Bill Passes U.S. House of Representatives Legislation Condemns Use of Children’s Television to Incite Hate and Violence (Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 409 to 1, legislation (H.Res. 1069) authored by Congressmen Joseph Crowley (D-NY) and Tim Mahoney (D-FL) condemning Hamas for using children’s television programming to promote hatred, violence, and anti-Semitism amongst Gaza youth. Congressmen Crowley and Mahoney introduced H.R. 1069 in response to Al-Aqsa TV airing a program for kids called “Tomorrow’s Pioneers”, which included a puppet show depicting a child murdering President Bush. Al-Aqsa has also aired shows in which Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny look-alikes promote anti-Semitic and anti-Western propaganda. “Hamas’ usage of Al-Aqsa TV programming to promote hatred and violence, especially to our children, is unacceptable. Our children should be taught to respect and accept all people, no matter their faith,” said Congressman Crowley. “I thank my colleagues for supporting passage of this important resolution, and for working with me to send a strong message to all parties in the Middle East that we must create an environment where we can establish lasting peace in the region.” “Today, we are sending a clear message to Hamas that its anti-Semitic, anti-American behavior must stop," said Congressman Mahoney. "If we are to achieve lasting peace in the Middle East, we must put an end to propaganda that aims to indoctrinate children with messages of hatred and violence towards Israel. I am pleased that the House adopted this important legislation and I want to thank Congressman Joseph Crowley for all of his work on this issue.” The Crowley-Mahoney resolution denounces Hamas for using children’s TV to encourage violence, hatred and anti-Semitism. It calls on Egypt and Saudi Arabia to end broadcasts of the network to their populations and urges Middle Eastern governments to officially and publicly repudiate those who promote violence against Americans, Israelis and other groups. It also calls on the U.S. President to consider designating satellite providers who knowingly broadcast incitements of violence against the United States as terrorist entities. Congressman Crowley has visited Israel seven times and is a Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Congressman Mahoney has seen the workings of Hamas first-hand in his recent trip to Israel. Congressman Crowley also made the following statement on the floor of the House in support of the bill: I rise in strong support of the resolution on the floor. I would like to thank the gentleman from Florida, Representative Bilirakis for working with me to further expand the resolution to include all media outlets that promote hate and intolerance in the Middle East. I initially introduced this resolution in response to reports that Hamas is using their television network, Al-Aqsa TV, to depict violence and acts of hate on the show “Tomorrow’s Pioneers.” The show had Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny look-alikes telling children they, “will finish off the Jews and eat them.” A puppet show also on the network acted out the murder of President Bush. The use of children’s programming to send these kinds of messages is despicable, and we cannot stand by and let this blatant propaganda to continue. Because, at best it perpetuates misinformation, and at its worst it will serve to indoctrinate children, incite them toward hatred and violence against Israel and possible others, and undermine efforts to firmly establish peace in the Middle East for generations to come. Instead of promoting violence, our children should be taught to respect and accept all people, no matter their faith or nationality. If we are going to establish lasting peace in the Middle East it will require far more than an end to military hostilities between warring factions. It will require the creation of an environment where people can live side-by-side in peace. Today, we send a clear message to our friends and foes alike in the Middle East that we will not tolerate the indoctrination of hate in children. The next leaders should not be brainwashed into hating the West and Israel. I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Thank you.   Washington 2404 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202)225-3965 Queens 74-09 37th Ave Suite 306-B Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (718)779-1400 Co-op City 177 Dreiser Loop Bronx, NY 10475 (718)320-2314 Bronx 2800 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY 10465 (718)931-1400