Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) broke down in tears while testifying Thursday at a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on “Muslim radicalization” in the U.S.

Ellison became emotional while telling the story of a Muslim firefighter who lost his life as a first responder on 9/11.

“Mr. Hamdani bravely sacrificed his life to try to help others on 9/11,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“After the tragedy,” Ellison continued, “some people tried to smear his character … solely because of his Islamic faith. Some people spread false rumors and speculated that he was in league with the attackers because he was a Muslim. But it was only when his remains were identified that these lies were exposed. Mohammad Salman Hamdani was a fellow American who gave his life for other Americans. His life should not be identified as just a member of an ethnic group or just a member of a religion, but as an American who gave everything for his fellow Americans.”

This video is from MSNBC, broadcast March 10, 2011.