[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 93 (Thursday, July 11, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONCERNING RISE IN ANTI--SEMITISM IN EUROPE

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                               speech of

                           HON. GIL GUTKNECHT

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2002

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, while I support the general spirit of H. 
Res. 393, which condemns the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe, I am 
concerned that the initial findings might lead to misconceptions 
regarding our German friends. The citations of anti-Semitic incidents 
in Germany misrepresent the actual frequency of anti-Semitic activity. 
Germany has very assertively attacked anti-Semitic trends within its 
borders. For instance, on June 28, 2002, the German Parliament passed, 
by unanimous vote, a resolution condemning all aspects of anti-
Semitism. Additionally, recent statistics gathered by the German 
Interior Ministry cited an average of 130 anti-Semitic incidents per 
month in 2001. Incidents have decreased dramatically thus far in 2002. 
The Interior Ministry reports 127 anti-Semitic acts in the first three 
months of 2002, an average of 42 incidents per month; a decrease of 68 
percent. I encourage and commend our German colleagues in their 
continued attention and efforts against anti-Semitism.

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