[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO HADASSAH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 90th anniversary 
of the founding of Hadassah. With over 300,000 members worldwide, 
Hadassah is both the largest women's organization and largest Jewish 
organization in American history.
  Founded in 1912 by Jewish scholar and activist Henrietta Szold, 
Hadassah has evolved as a leading volunteer women's organization, 
committed to Israel, Jewish continuity and American ideals.
  In Israel, the Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem has become 
a world-renowned center of medical excellence. With two hospitals, five 
schools, outpatient clinics, research facilities and a community health 
center, Hadassah is a lifeline for Israeli families and an important 
partner with the United States in medical research and training.
  Sadly, the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East has also 
made the Hadassah hospital into the premiere trauma center for the 
victims of the vicious suicide attacks by Palestinian terrorist groups. 
Reconstructing bodies and healing wounds, the Hadassah doctors and 
nurses have saved numerous lives and restored the futures of many youth 
wounded in these gruesome attacks.
  Hadassah's work also extends worldwide, with its nurses and doctors 
dispatched to work with refugees in Rwanda and to treat victims from 
the terrorist bomb blast at the Jewish community center in Buenos 
Aires.
  Here in the United States, Hadassah is committed to health awareness 
for its members and for women and girls in underprivileged communities. 
Hadassah organizes education and screening for diseases like breast 
cancer and osteoporosis. It sponsors youth reading programs and 
mobilizes volunteers on national policy issues like school vouchers, 
genetic discrimination, and a woman's right to choose.
  I am proud that Southern California boasts one of the largest 
concentrations of Hadassah members with over 20,000 activists in nearly 
100 chapters.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Hadassah's 90th 
anniversary and in congratulating Hadassah on its tremendous impact 
worldwide.