[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            A TRIBUTE TO HADASSAH ON THEIR 90TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invited my colleagues to join me in 
commending and paying tribute to Hadassah--the Women's Zionist 
Organization of America, on the occasion of its 90th Anniversary. This 
extraordinary organization, founded in February 1912 by Henrietta 
Szold, has worked throughout its nine decades to ensure the unity of 
the Jewish people.
  Hadassah's American activities cover the map from Anchorage, Alaska, 
to San Juan, Puerto Rico, and from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Bangor, Maine. 
In more than 800 communities around the United States, Hadassah 
volunteers undertake programs and activities that change and improve 
people's lives. These include the ``Check it Out'' breast cancer 
detection and awareness campaign and sponsoring Jewish family programs 
across the country. Members of Hadassah are also on the forefront of 
important public policy debates on a diverse range of issues including, 
women's health, church-state separation, and U.S.- Israel relations.
  Mr. Speaker, the wonderful work of Hadassah does not stop at our 
nation's borders. The organization's greatest achievement is its 
network of world-renowned medical and educational institutions in 
Israel. The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem provides the 
highest quality of health care to more than 600,000 people a year. 
Since 1984, the Hadassah Medical Organization has also been involved in 
global outreach programs to other countries, particularly those in 
Africa. Included in these initiatives are new treatments for eye 
diseases, AIDS education, post-natal care and public health.
  Numbering more than 300,000 throughout the United States, the devoted 
membership of Hadassah embodies the spirit of volunteerism and 
community service. These women are our mothers, daughters, sisters, 
wives and aunts.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite our colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
Hadassah--this outstanding community service organization--and its many 
dedicated members, who have made outstanding contributions to our 
nation and to peoples throughout the world over the past 90 years.

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