(Washington D.C.) - Today, 16 of my colleagues and I have introduced a resolution calling on the President to censure and reassign Lt. General Boykin for his religiously intolerant remarks against people of the Islamic faith.

 As members of Congress, we should all be embarrassed and disturbed by Lt. General Boykin’s controversial remarks – made in uniform -- which include such statements as:

 “Our spiritual enemy will only be defeated if we come against them in the name of Jesus;”

 “I knew that my God was a real God, and [the Muslim God] was an idol;”

 “Islamic extremists hate the United States because “we’re a Christian nation;” and

 President Bush “is in the White House because God put him there.”

 These remarks do untold damage to our efforts to reach out to the Iraqi people and the Muslim world and to battle terrorism.

 Last week the President criticized the Prime Minister of Malaysia for his anti-semitic remarks by telling him his comments were “wrong and divisive.”  I agree with these criticisms, but the Administration must show the world that it is willing to condemn all religiously intolerant remarks, including those that occur within our own military. 

 President Bush’s failure to criticize Lt. General Boykin’s remarks make it imperative for Congress to demand action.  Our nation must show the world that we will not stand for the type of intolerant behavior exhibited by Lt. General Boykin.