[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 110 (Wednesday, August 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S8599]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 145--RECOGNIZING THE 4,500,000 IMMIGRANTS HELPED BY 
                    THE HEBREW IMMIGRANT AID SOCIETY

  Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Mr. Brownback) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 145

       Whereas the United States has always been a country of 
     immigrants and was built on the hard work and dedication of 
     generations of those immigrants who have gathered on our 
     shores;
       Whereas, over the past 120 years, more than 4,500,000 
     migrants of all faiths have immigrated to the United States, 
     Israel, and other safe havens around the world through the 
     aid of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (referred to in this 
     resolution as `HIAS'), the oldest international migration and 
     refugee resettlement agency in the United States;
       Whereas, since the 1970s, more than 400,000 refugees from 
     more than 50 countries who have fled areas of conflict and 
     instability, danger and persecution, have resettled in the 
     United States with the high quality assistance of HIAS;
       Whereas outstanding individuals such as former Secretary of 
     State Henry Kissinger, artist Marc Chagall, Olympic gold-
     medalist Lenny Krayzelberg, poet and Nobel Laureate Joseph 
     Brodsky, and author and restaurateur George Lang have been 
     assisted by HIAS;
       Whereas these immigrants and refugees have been provided 
     with information, counseling, legal assistance, and other 
     services, including outreach programs for the Russian-
     speaking immigrant community, with the assistance of HIAS; 
     and
       Whereas on September 9, 2001, HIAS will celebrate the 120th 
     anniversary of its founding: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the contributions of the 4,500,000 
     immigrants and refugees served by HIAS to the United States 
     and democracies throughout the world in the arts, sciences, 
     government, and in other areas; and
       (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation--
       (A) recognizing September 9, 2001, as the 120th anniversary 
     of the founding of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society; and
       (B) calling on the people of the United States to conduct 
     appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs to 
     demonstrate appreciation for the contributions made by the 
     millions of immigrants and refugees served by HIAS.

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