[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 135 (Tuesday, October 15, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1870-E1871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BENJAMIN BLUSTEIN AND HEBREW UNIVERSITY
______
HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS
of pennsylvania
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, October 15, 2002
Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, on July 31, 2002, a Palestinian terrorist
left a 22-pound hate bomb hidden in a bag on a table at Hebrew
University's Frank Sinatra International Student Center cafeteria. The
bomber and those who assisted him had two objectives.
By placing the bomb in an area popular with young people, students
from around the world and renowned scholars in many disciplines of
academic study, the terrorist hoped to kill and injure as many people
as possible, without regard to their nationalities, religion or
political persuasion. In this, those responsible for this heinous
attack were successful. Ultimately, the blast killed nine people,
including five Americans, and injured approximately 80 others.
But the attackers had more far reaching motives. They wished to send
a message that they had no interest in legitimate efforts to resolve
Israel's conflicts with Palestinians. In addition, by selecting this
particular university as their target, the terrorists also wanted to
send the message that they believed that academic discourse, scientific
research, and medical care provided to people of all ethnic and
religious backgrounds are not legitimate endeavors in Israel.
Let there be no mistake about this. On this second point, the
terrorists are wrong. President George W. Bush immediately condemned
this attack, and expressed his ``fury'' at the attack on this
particular university that had killed five American students. He
stated, ``I'm just as angry as Israel is right now. . . . I'm furious
about innocent life lost. However, through my fury, even though I am
mad, I still believe peace is possible.''
I believe the President's words were exactly correct-to condemn this
act of terrorism, just as he had condemned the over 70 homicide
bombings aimed at Israel since September 2000. But, despite expressing
anger and vowing to find and punish those responsible, the President
also restated his quest for an eventual lasting peace between Israelis
and Palestinians.
While I am equally angry and upset at all such attacks, this one
touched me personally in a way than none had before. One of the five
American victims, Benjamin Blustein, was my constituent.
Benjamin Blustein was only 25 years old when this bomb took his life.
He came from
[[Page E1871]]
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the heart of my Congressional district. At
the time of his death, he was in a two-year study program designed so
that he could earn a Master's degree from Hebrew University's Rothberg
International School's Division of Graduate Studies and was also
enrolled in the Educator's Program at the Pardes Institute for Jewish
Studies.
He had previously earned his B.A. in Religion and Judaic Studies from
Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. I mention this with pride,
as Dickinson is also my alma mater.
Benjamin was more than a good student. He enriched all those around
him, both those who knew him well and those with whom he had only
limited contacts. He had assisted the entire Jewish Community
throughout Central Pennsylvania through his work with the United Jewish
Communities. In Israel, he enlivened the lives of many as a disc jockey
at local dance clubs.
It is impossible to adequately verbalize the tragedy that occurred
when Benjamin Blustein was randomly killed. I still find it hard to
accept the loss of this vibrant, dedicated, passionate young man with
such a wonderful sense of humor and caring for others.
Immediately following this hateful attack I sent a letter to
President Bush, supporting his condemnation of the attacks. A copy of
that letter follows these remarks.
As a result of Benjamin's death, I was motivated to learn more about
the Hebrew University, the institution that drew Benjamin and so many
others to study there.
It is important for all Members of Congress, as well as all
Americans, to know that Hebrew University is the oldest comprehensive
institution of higher learning in Israel and is considered to be among
the world's truly great universities. The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem has stood for understanding, tolerance, open discourse and
academic excellence since it opened its doors in 1925.
Albert Einstein was one of its earliest supporters. From the very
beginning, the university has carried on the dream of its founders,
namely academic excellence, culture, science, learning and, most
important, inclusion rather than exclusion of people from many
religions, nations and ethnic backgrounds. Its students come from
diverse cultural, religious, and geographic backgrounds with 10 percent
of the student body of Arab descent. This diversity is what contributes
to the university's strength and purpose.
It is sad, and ironic, to note that the unconscionable acts of
inhumanity that took place at Hebrew University marked the second time
that this remarkable academic institution has been devastated by a
violent attack. In 1948, Arabs massacred a group of doctors and nurses
in a bus going to the Hebrew University Medical School Hospital campus,
perhaps a half-mile away from where this most recent bombing occurred.
Yet, despite the violence in 1948 and despite the fact that its
original campus was cut off from the rest of Jerusalem until the city
was united in 1967, the University continued to grow, to prosper and to
gain international recognition for the high quality of its researches,
teachers and physicians.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this institution is its efforts
to reach out to Israel's neighbors, including the Palestinians. It is
important to stress Hebrew University's regional cooperative programs
with Palestinians and Arab countries in health, agriculture, water,
environment, marine sciences, and the search for peace.
Rather than discuss its many programs, it would be symbolic to
mention just one as the paradigm of the entire University.
I thought it worthwhile to detail the Sanford Kuvin Center for the
Study of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at the Hebrew University's
Medical School, because of my direct linkage to medical research
through the many medical facilities located in Central Pennsylvania,
especially the Penn State University Hershey Medical Center, and the
Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, which I helped found and now
co-chair.
The Kuvin Center currently has more health programs with surrounding
Arab countries then any other university in Israel. It addresses
diseases that affect public health and its physicians and scientists
are currently working with Arab scientists from Al-Quds, the
Palestinian University in the eastern part of Jerusalem; Ain Shams
University, in Cairo, as well as with scientists from universities in
Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco.
The Congress fully recognizes and supports these types of cooperative
Israeli-Palestinian health initiatives. The Foreign Operations bill for
fiscal year 2003, which has passed through the Appropriations Committee
includes, language on the Kuvin Center/Al Quds cooperation. I am
pleased that the Committee included the following paragraph in the
report accompanying this bill:
The Committee acknowledges that one of the primary objectives of the
West Bank and Gaza program is to create viable infrastructure in
Palestinian Authority-controlled areas to ensure the health and welfare
of the Palestinian people. Al Quds University, in cooperation with the
Kuvin Center for Infectious Diseases of the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, has proposed the establishment of a regional health and
disease program, which would work to build an effective infrastructure
to deal with serious health and disease problems among the Palestinian
people. The Committee understands that cooperative programs of this
nature are rare in the current environment, and urges AID to work,
through the West Bank and Gaza program, to help Al Quds and the Kuvin
Center begin this initiative.
This project is designed to enable the United States to provide $15
million over five years to this cooperative effort to deal with
infectious diseases.
Let me add that this program does not require any additional
appropriations. The proposed expenditure of these funds is an
indication of Congressional intent on just how American money that has
already been allocated can best be used in a productive capacity for
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. Thus, the Kuvin Center-Hebrew
University/Al Quds University cooperative effort will serve as a model
of how the United States, Israel and the Palestinians can work together
on projects that will benefit the entire region.
It is key to mention that such efforts will absolutely continue
despite the terrorists' murderous intent, and, in fact, it underscores
both Israel's and America's conviction not to let the terrorists
succeed.
The murders on the Hebrew University campus shocked all decent
people.
This is not a University problem, nor is it a Jewish problem or a
territorial problem. This is a threat to all civilization. These events
cannot be allowed to go on, and can only be dealt with when good people
stand up and speak out against this inhumanity.
We must not only remember those who were killed and injured, but we
must all be proactive in favor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem as
a beacon of light unto all nations, peoples and universities around the
world.
Hebrew University sets a standard of excellence for the nation of
Israel of the Jewish people all over the world. The clouds of hatred
and violence against Israel, the Jewish people and the West are clearly
spreading. Certainly those who want to prevent discourse and
coexistence at the Hebrew University will not and must not succeed.
In the aftermath of the murders at Hebrew University, the school's
President, Menachem Magidor, said, ``We must not let them kill our
dream of peace''. This same sentiment was stated by President Bush in
his response to this attack when he concluded that ``we must keep the
vision of peace in mind.''
Congress of the United States,
House of Representatives,
Washington, DC, August 2, 2002.
President George W. Bush,
The White House,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. President: We sadly learned recently that a valued
member of a community in my congressional district was taken
from us. Benjamin Blustein, of Susquehanna Township,
Pennsylvania, a young scholar studying abroad in Israel, was
killed in the latest homicide bombing in Israel. Benjamin was
in the midst of a two year course in Jewish studies at Hebrew
University. Benjamin died along with other Americans and
several other people when Hamas brutally targeted another
group of innocent victims in Israel.
Benjamin was a dedicated, passionate young man with a sense
of humor that all who knew him will greatly miss. He was
active at school, my old alma mater, Dickinson College, and
at his synagogue. With great commitment he assisted the
United Jewish Communities to advance their good work
throughout Central Pennsylvania. Benjamin enriched many lives
during his life. All those who were touched by him will count
themselves fortunate for sharing in his life.
I commend you for your strong condemnation of this latest
homicide bombing. I support your decision to list Hamas and
Hizbollah as terrorist organizations, and your firm support
of Israel. Since September 2000, there have been 70 homicide
bombings aimed at Israelis, taking the lives of countless
innocent people. These attacks are unjustifiable and clearly
unproductive. Israelis, free peoples living in a democracy,
have not been cowed by the last two years of extremist acts
of terror. Peace can only come to the Holy Land through
dialogue and mutual understanding. I join with you in your
quest for a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
Very truly yours,
George W. Gekas,
Member of Congress.
____________________