HOUSTON -- A Houston congressman introduced a bill condemning the use of nooses, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.

U.S. Rep. Al Green said the anti-noose bill, House Resolution 826, has gained strong bi-partisan and community support.

The resolution declares that the "hanging of nooses is a horrible act when used for the purpose of intimidation. That under certain circumstances, it can be a criminal act that should be thoroughly investigated by federal law enforcement and that any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted."

"Noose intimidation that has crimes associated with it ought to be investigated and there ought to be criminal prosecution when it takes place," Green said. "We want to make sure that we don't go back to a time in this country where this was commonplace. We want to make sure that America continues to be a place of hope, not hate."

"Once the public realizes that we as a nation and we as a society find this to be unacceptable and reprehensible, I think people are less likely to use noose intimidation," said James Douglas with the Council for the Houston NAACP.

The bill has gained support from Democrats and Republicans, as well as several groups, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the American Jewish Committee and the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Several nooses have recently been found at businesses in the Houston area and at a high school.

Four contract workers were banned from FMC Technologies after they allegedly hung nooses at the north Harris County business. Nooses were also found at the Exxon-Mobil facility in Baytown.

Two students at Pearland High School were disciplined after they hung a noose from a tower in the school's parking lot.

The House will vote on the bill on Wednesday.