On Saturday evening, Secretary Johnson spoke at the Islamic Society of North America’s 53rd Annual Convention in Chicago—making him the first sitting Cabinet Secretary and highest-ranking U.S. Government official to personally address the convention.

Secretary Johnson spoke to the audience of American Muslims not as Secretary of Homeland Security, but as a fellow American.

“Tonight I will not look at this large group of Muslims before me in this room through a homeland security lens. Tonight I will not talk to you about counterterrorism. Tonight I will simply address you as who you are, ‘my fellow Americans.’”



DHS photo by Barry Bahler, Office of Public Affairs

American Muslims have a long and proud history in the United States. They have been an integral part of our communities, as entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes, authors, public servants and members of our armed forces. Secretary Johnson has been steadfast in his commitment to build bridges to American Muslim communities, having personally met with leaders in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, rural Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Detroit, Chicago, Columbus, Houston, Minneapolis, Dearborn, and Los Angeles.

Citing his family history, the Secretary affirmed that discrimination and vilification are not only contrary to our homeland security, but our values as Americans. At the height of the Red Scare, his own grandfather testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee, since abolished, to defend the patriotism of African-Americans.

“The House Un-American Activities Committee was abolished many years ago. I’m told it used to hold its hearings in Room 311 of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington. This is the same room in which the House Homeland Security Committee holds its hearings today. Therefore, sixty-seven years ago, my grandfather likely testified in that hearing room to defend his patriotism; now his grandson testifies in that same room to explain what the U.S. government is doing to defend our Nation. This is the promise and the wonder of this country.”



DHS photo by Barry Bahler, Office of Public Affairs

Secretary Johnson encouraged the young people in attendance to hold on to the promise and wonder of this country and continue to fully participate in our democracy. He closed his address with a simple, but important, message.

“Ladies and gentlemen, fellow Americans: public officials in this country are often reluctant to ask the public we serve for your help. On behalf of myself and the President, I ask for your help. Hear this message and share it with others in your communities.”

Read the Secretary’s full remarks at the Islamic Society of North America's 53rd Annual Convention.