[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 123 (Tuesday, September 16, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


            100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST ZIONIST CONGRESS

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                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 16, 1997

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise before you 
today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Zionist 
Congress. The first meeting of the Zionist Congress occurred on August 
29, 1897 with 204 participants from 17 countries. Now, 100 years later, 
the anniversary of this important date will be celebrated by Jewish 
communities across the world.
  In 1897, the first Zionist Congress was called in Basle, Switzerland 
with the purpose of establishing the State of Israel as a homeland for 
the Jewish people under public law. Theodor Herzl emerged as the father 
of modern Zionism and founder of the World Zionist Organization. He 
believed a mass exodus to the Jewish homeland was the only response to 
the anti-Semitism the Jews were faced with in Europe. He wrote in his 
Zionist novel, ``If you will it, it is no legend,'' a sentiment that 
became the mantra of the Zionist movement.
  Though Herzl never lived to see the establishment of the State of 
Israel, his legacy lived on through the movement. The Zionists remained 
committed to their goal throughout several years of turmoil. Despite 
religious persecution by the Nazi regime in Europe, and an intense 
struggle with militant Arab opposition, the Jewish initiative 
prevailed. The Zionists' goal was finally realized on May 14, 1948 with 
the U.N. resolution of November 1947, which established the State of 
Israel. This resolution allowed the Jewish people to live in their 
historic homeland, free from the religious persecution they were facing 
in Europe.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join with me in 
commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Zionist Congress, an 
organization which has shown perseverance through adversity and a 
dedication to the principles of the Judaism.

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