ADC Calls on Community to Continue Contacting Committee Members and Urging them to Reject Pipes’ Nomination
Washington, DC – The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today postponed a scheduled vote on the nomination of Daniel Pipes, one of the leading promoters of hatred and bigotry against Arabs, Muslims and others, to the Board of Directors of the United States Institute for Peace. Senate Minority Leader Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Tom Harkin (D-IA) raised serious concerns about Pipes’ long track record of promoting hatred and violence causing the vote to be delayed. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and a number of other civil rights groups have been opposing the nomination, and have generated thousands of calls and messages to Congress calling attention to Pipes’ history of bigotry.
ADC President Mary Rose Oakar said, “We urge President Bush to withdraw this highly inappropriate nomination.” Former Congresswoman Oakar further urged community members to thank those who spoke out against Pipes’ nomination. “Senators Kennedy, Dodd, and Harkin deserve to be thanked for their comments in the Committee. Their contact information can be found here >>
ADC President Oakar added “Due to the efforts of our members and supporters, the vote was delayed. However, the community must step up efforts to contact all members of the Committee and urge them to reject Daniel Pipes’ nomination. It is imperative that our voices reach Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) who is the chair of the committee and key decision maker. Senator Gregg must be apprised of Daniel Pipes’ bigoted and racist history and it is up to our community to ensure that this is accomplished. Pipes has devoted his entire career to bashing ethnic and religious groups, and spreading fear and hatred. Pipes has been among the most strident opponents of peace in the Middle East, has advocated war and violence, and has no business serving the US Institute for Peace in any capacity whatsoever.”
Please Thank the Following Members
Edward Kennedy (MA)
Phone: (202) 224-4543, Fax: (202) 224-2417
Christopher Dodd (CT)
Phone: (202) 224-2823, Fax: (202) 224-1083
Tom Harkin (IA)
Phone: (202) 224-3254, Fax: (202) 224-9369
Committee Chair and Key Decision Maker
Judd Gregg (NH)
Phone: (202) 224-3324, Fax: (202) 224-4952