[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 109 (Thursday, July 29, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9740-S9741]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RABBI SOLOMON SCHIFF

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, it is a tremendous honor to welcome a 
distinguished religious leader and member of the South Florida 
community to the United States Senate: Rabbi Solomon Schiff of the 
Greater Miami Jewish Federation's Community Chaplaincy Service.
  This morning, my colleagues and I were privileged to have Rabbi 
Schiff participate in a long-standing tradition by leading the Senate 
in prayer. His eloquence reminds us that while our legislative efforts 
to make the United States a better place to live, work, and raise our 
families is important, it pales in contrast with our responsibilities 
to the Almighty. On behalf of every member of the United States Senate, 
I want to thank Rabbi Schiff for his words of inspiration.
  It is no accident that Solomon Schiff was asked to lead us in our 
daily devotions. His long record of service to individuals in Florida, 
America, and around the world has distinguished him as not only a 
prominent spiritual leader but also a leader in his community.
  Since his graduation from Brooklyn College, the University of Miami, 
and the Hebrew Theological Seminary in Illinois, Rabbi Schiff has 
served as Chairman of the Board of License of the Central Agency for 
Jewish Education, President of both the South Florida and Florida 
Chaplains Association, Chairman of the Metropolitan Dade Community 
Relations Board, Chairman of the Chaplaincy Service Advisory Council 
for the Florida Department of Corrections, and Secretary, Vice 
President, and President of the Rabbinical Association of Greater 
Miami.
  Rabbi Schiff's current leadership positions confirm his dedication to 
service. In addition to his duties as Director of the Greater Miami 
Jewish Federation's Community Chaplaincy Service, he serves as Chairman 
of the National Council of Executives of Boards of Rabbis, Chairman of 
the Community Hospice Council in South Florida, and as a member of the 
Executive Committee of the National Rabbinic Cabinet of United Jewish 
Appeal.
  Mr. President, Rabbi Solomon Schiff is a shining example of the moral 
and community leadership that our communities need as we enter a new 
century. I will conclude today by asking that a November 27, 1998, 
article from the Sun-Sentinel of South Florida be included with my 
remarks. It discusses Awakening 2000, an interfaith initiative that 
encourages Floridians to engage the power of prayer and spiritual 
healing in their daily lives and interactions with others.
  Rabbi Schiff, a leader in this faith-based effort, was quoted as 
saying that ``a total commitment by responsible people to try and bring 
society to a level of decency is the only way . . . that our society 
will survive with a positive future.'' Mr. President, it gives me great 
reassurance that Solomon Schiff's wise counsel will help guide us into 
that future.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the article I referred to be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       [From the Sun-Sentinel--Ft. Lauderdale, November 27, 1998]

             Awakening 2000 Seeks State's Spiritual Renewal

                          (By Jackie Hallifax)

       Gov. Lawton Chiles and Gov.-elect Jeb Bush may differ on 
     politics, but the two have agreed to pray, forgive, smile and 
     sacrifice to get ready for the next millennium.
       It's all part of an interfaith initiative called Awakening 
     2000, a project organized by Jim Towey, a former top state 
     official who picked Thanksgiving week to announce his 
     campaign for a spiritual renewal in Florida.
       ``We feel we can build a better Florida one heart and soul 
     at a time by focusing on our spiritual resources, our 
     spiritual treasures,'' Towey said on Wednesday. ``And by 
     remembering God.''

[[Page S9741]]

       In getting ready for the future, Towey pointed to the past. 
     When Abraham Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving proclamation 135 
     years ago, he said Americans had ``forgotten God.''
       ``What he said in 1863 is absolutely true today,'' Towey 
     said.
       Awakening 2000 will try to change that by getting 
     Floridians to sign pledge cards reminding them to pray each 
     day, reach out to people in need and perform several other 
     spiritual exercises.
       The project also will sponsor a ``Summit of Faith'' next 
     fall and serve as an advocate for Florida's needy and 
     neglected, especially those who are dying.
       After leaving state government, Towey formed a nonprofit 
     commission on Aging with Dignity that launched the popular 
     ``Five Wishes'' living will last year. Awakening 2000 is 
     sponsored by the same commission.
       Several state leaders have agreed to participate in the 
     project, starting with Chiles, a Democrat and Presbyterian 
     who will be governor until Bush, a Republican and Catholic, 
     takes over on Jan. 5.
       Towey, a Democrat like Chiles and a Catholic like Bush, 
     experienced a spiritual renewal in 1985 when he met Mother 
     Teresa. He said he was inspired to launch an interfaith 
     project by the late nun, a devout Catholic who respected and 
     cared for Hindus, Muslims and Jews.
       Rabbi Solomon Schiff, director of chaplaincy at the Greater 
     Miami Jewish Federation, said he had signed onto the project 
     because the moral fiber of American society has been 
     devastated.
       ``A total commitment by responsible people to try to . . . 
     bring it to a level of decency is the only way really that 
     our society will survive with a positive future,'' Schiff 
     said.
       The list of people who have committed to take part in 
     Awakening 2000 includes Chief Justice Major Harding, 
     legislative leaders, Cabinet leaders, a federal judge and 
     Christian and Jewish leaders.
       Chiles and Bush plan to sign the commitment cards in early 
     December.
       But Towey said ``the fundamental driving force'' of the 
     campaign is the focus on the needy.
       ``At Thanksgiving we remember the poor,'' he said. ``But 
     they need more than just a hot meal on a Thursday.''

                          ____________________