NEW : Sheriff says Americans should educate themselves better about Islam . Senator Keith Ellison says the entire Muslim community should not be blamed for violence . At the same time , the only law enforcement official to testify , Sheriff Leroy Baca of Los Angeles County in California , seemed to sum up the overall approach needed by calling for increased understanding by Americans of their changing society . ` Larry Ellison , the committee chairman , says the hearings are not un - Islamic . Some Republicans call for rejection of the most prominent Muslim advocacy group .
NEW : Sheriff says Americans should educate themselves better about Islam . Senator Keith Ellison says the entire Muslim community should not be blamed for violence . Larry Ellison , the committee chairman , says the hearings are not un - Islamic . Some Republicans call for rejection of the most prominent Muslim advocacy group .