U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke (NY-11) issued the following statement in response to her no vote on HRes 847, Recognizing the Importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.

 

“In this season of giving, love, peace and joy, I am mindful not to allow Christmas to be narrowly defined by an act of Congress or to consent to the pronouncements of others that are not reflective of my Christian experience.  I firmly believe that it is the spirit of the holiday season that I personally embrace through the commemoration and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ that has taught me to accept the values expressed by a diverse civil society.  It is the love for our collective humanity; the desire to live in a world filled with peace and joy that truly defines and unites us as Americans.”

 

“As I embrace the religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity of the people I represent, I encourage everyone to personify the spirit of giving, love, peace, and joy throughout the year – not just during the Christmas holiday season.

 

Happy holidays and a healthy, prosperous New Year to all.”

 

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Congresswoman Clarke represents New York’s 11^th Congressional District located in central Brooklyn.