Washington, D.C., Sep 22, 2009 - U.S. Reps. Dave Camp and Dale Kildee introduced the following resolution on the House floor, condemning violence against anyone for their views and honoring the memory of James “Jim” Pouillon, who was killed on Sept. 11 in Owosso, Michigan.

“This was a true tragedy for Jim’s family, friends, and the greater Owosso community,” Camp said. “I’ve known Jim as long as I’ve been in Congress, and we shared many conversations about pro-life issues. He was a tireless advocate for protecting the sanctity of human life, and I always admired him for that.”

“The protection of human life and human dignity has been at the core of my beliefs since I was a seminary student,” Kildee said. “Any act of violence against another person based on their beliefs is despicable and I strongly condemn the murder of Jim Pouillon. My condolences go out to his friends and family, as well as other victims of this kind of senseless violence throughout our country.”


THE RESOLUTION OFFERENCE BY CAMP AND KILDEE READS AS FOLLOWS:

H.RES. 759

“Whereas James ‘Jim’ Pouillon was murdered in Owosso, Michigan, on September 11, 2009;
HRES 759
Whereas James ‘Jim’ Pouillon was murdered in Owosso, Michigan, on September 11, 2009;
Whereas Jim Pouillon is mourned by his family, friends, community, and fellow defenders of the First Amendment and the unborn;

Whereas Jim Pouillon, 63, was a veteran, was wounded in the defense of his country, was a father of five and was a retired auto-worker;

Whereas, Jim Pouillon, was killed outside a public high school, a place intended for peace and deliberation but in a moment became a place for violence and murder;

Whereas places of learning and all public areas protected by our Constitution should be sanctuaries for the free exercise of speech and civil discourse; and

Whereas violence is deplorable, and never an acceptable avenue for expressing opposing viewpoints: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) offers its condolences to Jim Pouillon’s family; and

(2) commits to the American principle that the suppression of thought by any means and by either government or individuals must always yield to the right of free speech and that violence is never an appropriate response to a difference in beliefs.”

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