[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 67 (Tuesday, April 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S5635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


      THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMBINED JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to join today in 
celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Combined Jewish 
Philanthropies.
  The Combined Jewish Philanthropies has always been at the forefront 
of issues vital to the Jewish community, and I have been proud to work 
with members of this organization. As an organization that grew from 5 
Jewish agencies in 1895 to more than 80 agencies in 1995, it has 
developed into one of the most successful charitable organizations in 
the world. Throughout these years, the CJP has had extraordinary 
success in improving the lives of countless people.
  The CJP has helped to alleviate the horrors of the past by assisting 
in the rescue and resettlement of hundreds of thousands of survivors of 
the Holocaust, and it has faced the challenges of the present by 
assisting in the emigration and resettlement of large numbers of Soviet 
Jews. It has also laid a solid foundation for promoting social justice 
through programs that create jobs, help the needy, care for the 
elderly, and educate children.
  During my years in the Senate, I have been proud to work with members 
of the CJP on many social programs in Massachusetts, including Jewish 
vocational services, family services, and Big Brother/Big Sister 
programs. We have worked together to develop counseling and job 
training initiatives for the Jewish community in our State, and we have 
helped over 5,000 Jewish immigrants during the past 6 years find jobs 
in Massachusetts. We have also worked together to ensure that young 
persons in need of role models have the opportunity to participate in 
the Big Brother/Big Sister programs in Massachusetts. It has also been 
a privilege to work with the CJP against antisemitism in the former 
Soviet Union and for the right of emigration.
  The CJP's centennial celebration comes during a time of great 
challenge and great opportunity for the friends of Israel. All of us 
deplore the tragic violence that continues to plague the peace process 
in the Middle East. But I look forward to working closely with the CJP, 
the Clinton administration, and my colleagues in Congress, to secure a 
just and lasting peace and to ensure that Israel's vital security 
interests are protected.
  I extend my respect and warmest wishes as the CJP enters its second 
century.

                          ____________________