[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS ON MARTIN LUTHER KING'S SPECIAL BOND WITH ISRAEL

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 29, 2002

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, as a nation we have recently celebrated the 
contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the noble crusades of 
Civil Liberty and Equal Rights, and in a few days we will commence a 
celebration of the contributions of African-Americans to our nation's 
history in ``Black History Month.'' Dr. King was an exemplar and a 
martyr for these causes. As an advocate for an oppressed people, he was 
in a unique position to offer insights into the suffering of the Jewish 
people.
  My distinguished colleague from Georgia, Mr. John Lewis, recently 
summarized Dr. King's sentiments of empathy with the Jewish community 
in an article appearing on January 21, 2001 in the San Francisco 
Chronicle entitled ``King's Special Bond With Israel.'' Mr. Lewis was a 
contemporary of Dr. King in the Civil Rights movement of the sixties 
and has carried King's ``Dream'' of equality and justice into the 
twenty-first century. He has maintained an active role in politics and 
has been an outspoken champion of human rights and progressive social 
movements. His recent sponsorship of legislation discouraging racial 
profiling, and his dedicated support of the National Museum of African-
American History and Culture, further illustrate his commitment to a 
society that is truly free of racial inequality.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask that Congressman Lewis's article be placed 
in the Congressional Record. I encourage my colleagues in the House to 
consider the position articulated by Dr. King, and in so doing, develop 
an appreciation for the parallel sufferings of the Jewish and African-
American communities.

           [From the San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 21, 2002]

                    King's Special Bond With Israel

                            (By John Lewis)

       The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. understood the meaning of 
     discrimination and oppression. He sought ways to achieve 
     liberation and peace, and he thus understood that a special 
     relationship exists between African-Americans and American 
     Jews.
       This message was true in his time and is true today.
       He knew that both peoples were uprooted involuntarily from 
     their homelands. He knew that both peoples were shaped by the 
     tragic experience of slavery. He knew that both peoples were 
     forced to live in ghettos, victims of segregation.
       We knew that both peoples were subject to laws passed with 
     the particular intent of oppressing them simply because they 
     were Jewish or black. He knew that both peoples have been 
     subjected to oppression and genocide on a level unprecedented 
     in history.
       King understood how important it is not to stand by in the 
     face of injustice. He understood the cry, ``Let my people 
     go.''
       Long before the plight of the Jews in the Soviet Union was 
     on the front pages, he raised his voice. ``I cannot stand 
     idly by, even though I happen to live in the United States 
     and even though I happen to be an American Negro and not be 
     concerned about what happens to the Jews in Soviet Russia. 
     For what happens to them happens to me and you, and we must 
     be concerned.''
       During his lifetime King witnessed the birth of Israel and 
     the continuing struggle to build a nation. He consistently 
     reiterated his stand on the Israel-Arab conflict, stating 
     ``Israel's right to exist as a state in security is 
     uncontestable.'' It was no accident that King emphasized 
     ``security'' in his statements on the Middle East.
       On March 25, 1968, less than two weeks before his tragic 
     death, he spoke out with clarity and directness stating, 
     ``peace for Israel means security, and we must stand with all 
     our might to protect its right to exist, its territorial 
     integrity. I see Israel as one of the great outposts of 
     democracy in the world, and a marvelous example of what can 
     be done, how desert land can be transformed into an oasis of 
     brotherhood and democracy. Peace for Israel means security 
     and that security must be a reality.''
       During the recent U.N. Conference on Racism held in Durban, 
     South Africa, we were all shocked by the attacks on Jews, 
     Israel and Zionism. The United States of America stood up 
     against these vicious attacks.
       Once again, the words of King ran through my memory, ``I 
     solemnly pledge to do my utmost to uphold the fair name of 
     the Jews--because bigotry in any form is an affront to us 
     all.''
       During an appearance at Harvard University shortly before 
     his death, a student stood up and asked King to address 
     himself to the issue of Zionism. The question was clearly 
     hostile. King responded, ``When people criticize Zionists 
     they mean Jews, you are talking anti-Semitism.''
       King taught us many lessons. As turbulence continues to 
     grip the Middle East, his words should continue to serve as 
     our guide. I am convinced that were he alive today he would 
     speak clearly calling for an end to the violence between 
     Israelis and Arabs.
       He would call upon his fellow Nobel Peace Prize winner, 
     Yasser Arafat, to fulfill the dream of peace and do all that 
     is within his power to stop the violence.
       He would urge continuing negotiations to reduce tensions 
     and bring about the first steps toward genuine peace.
       King had a dream of an ``oasis of brotherhood and 
     democracy'' in the Middle East.
       As we celebrate his life and legacy, let us work for the 
     day when Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and Muslims, will be 
     able to sit in peace ``under his vine and fig tree and none 
     shall make him afraid.''

     

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