[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H943-H944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WELCOMING RABBI JOSEPH MENDELSOHN OF HESKA AMUNA SYNAGOGUE, KNOXVILLE, 
                               TENNESSEE

  (Mr. DUNCAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, we are privileged to have as our guest 
chaplain today Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn of the Heska Amuna Synagogue in 
Knoxville, Tennessee, to lead us in our opening prayer. Heska Amuna, 
loosely translated, means ``stronghold of faith,'' and ``strong faith'' 
are words that could certainly be used about the life of Rabbi 
Mendelsohn.
  This is the first time since I have been a Member of the House, and I 
am in my 14th year now, this is the first time I have had a member of 
the clergy from my district lead us in prayer, and I am very honored.
  Rabbi Mendelsohn was a longtime congregant and leader in conservative 
Jewish congregations throughout California. He became so dedicated to 
his faith that he decided to fulfill his dream of becoming a full-time 
member of the rabbinical clergy.
  Known in Knoxville as ``Rabbi Joe,'' he has been well received, not 
just by his congregation, but also by his fellow clergymen of all 
faiths in east Tennessee. Apparently he is doing a great

[[Page H944]]

job, because the congregation has seen a very significant increase in 
membership since his arrival.
  Pace and Karen Robinson, two well-respected and long-time members of 
the congregation, said, ``We are glad that Rabbi Joe came to Knoxville 
and became a part of our community by leading us into the 21st 
century.''
  Rabbi Mendelsohn is one of the finest men I have ever met, and I am 
honored to have him as our guest chaplain for the United States House 
of Representatives on this occasion.

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