[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. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2002

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Hadassah, the 
Women's Zionist Organization of America, on its 90th anniversary. I 
have enormous professional respect for Hadassah, I also have a deep 
personal affinity: my mother was a very active member, and some of my 
other relatives were officers in important Hadassah chapters.
  Founded in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, Hadassah has become the largest 
women's and largest Jewish membership organization in the United 
States, with over 300,000 active members in all 50 states.
  Hadassah's greatest achievement is its network of world-renowned 
medical and educational institutions in Israel. Their flagship project, 
the Hadassah Medical Organization, provides the highest quality health 
care to more than 600,000 patients a year from throughout the Middle 
East--regardless of race, religion or nationality--and is a resource 
for training health care professionals around the world. It also 
supports a variety of world-class research projects that have resulted 
in significant medical advances, particularly in the areas of breast 
cancer and the treatment of various genetic disorders. Over the years I 
have strongly supported the U.S. Agency for International Development's 
American Schools and Hospitals Abroad program, which provides a key 
source of funding for Hadassah's health care activities.
  In addition to their outstanding work in Israel, Hadassah supports 
many important health, education and women's initiatives here in the 
U.S. These include a nationwide breast cancer awareness and detection 
campaign, Jewish family programs, and efforts to promote greater civic 
participation and awareness of key public policy issues. Through these 
activities, Hadassah's devoted volunteers strengthen our partnership 
with Israel, promote the unity of the Jewish people, and truly change 
people's lives.
  I commend Hadassah for its excellent work over the past ninety years, 
and look forward to continuing my work with the organization to ensure 
an even brighter future.

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