[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE FOUNDATION FOR ETHNIC UNDERSTANDING FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION 
                       TO ADVANCING CIVIL RIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 1999

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize the contributions 
of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding under the leadership of 
Rabbi Marc Schneier. The Foundation has over the last ten years worked 
to highlight the need for strengthening relations between Blacks and 
Jews. In so doing the Foundation has reminded Americans of the pain 
endured by our nation during the Civil Rights Movement and the ultimate 
success of those efforts.
  Yesterday, members of Congress and leaders from both the African-
American and Jewish-American communities gathered in the halls of 
Congress to commemorate the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Freedom 
Rides, during which groups of young people traveled throughout the 
South to challenge the harsh environment of the region at that time. 
Three such young people, James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew 
Goodman, tragically lost their lives in carrying out their selfless 
sacrifice.
  Even as we paid tribute to these late heroes of the movement, we 
joined the Foundation in honoring two members of Congress, my 
colleagues, Congressmen Bob Filner and John Lewis. Both of these men 
deserve our greatest admiration for their roles in the Freedom Rides 
and the civil rights movement. Since that time their commitment to 
insuring that justice and liberty prevail within our nation has not 
wavered.
  Earlier this week, this body bestowed its highest award upon Ms. Rosa 
Parks, for her role in igniting the Civil Rights Movement, by refusing 
to move to the back of the bus. Mr. Speaker, it is with this same 
spirit of justice that Rabbi Schneier, Congressman Filner and Lewis, 
and countless others, perhaps less dramatically, but with equal 
success, have challenged the system of segregation. That has now given 
way to a better America.

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