[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 45 (Thursday, March 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S4180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 25--RECOGNIZING AND HONORING AMERICA'S 
 JEWISH COMMUNITY ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 350TH ANNIVERSARY, SUPPORTING 
THE DESIGNATION OF AN ``AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY MONTH'', AND FOR OTHER 
                                PURPOSES

  Mr. VOINOVICH (for himself and Mr. DeWine) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary:

                            S. Con. Res. 25

       Whereas in 1654, Jewish refugees from Brazil arrived on 
     North American shores and formally established North 
     America's first Jewish community in New Amsterdam, now New 
     York City;
       Whereas America welcomed Jews among the millions of 
     immigrants that streamed through our Nation's history;
       Whereas the waves of Jewish immigrants arriving in America 
     helped shape our Nation;
       Whereas the American Jewish community has been intimately 
     involved in our Nation's civic, social, economic, and 
     cultural life;
       Whereas the American Jewish community has sought to 
     actualize the broad principles of liberty and justice that 
     are enshrined in the Constitution of the United States;
       Whereas the American Jewish community is an equal 
     participant in the religious life of our Nation;
       Whereas American Jews have fought valiantly for the United 
     States in every one of our Nation's military struggles, from 
     the American Revolution to Operation Enduring Freedom;
       Whereas not less than 16 American Jews have received the 
     Medal of Honor;
       Whereas 2004 marks the 350th anniversary of the American 
     Jewish community;
       Whereas the Library of Congress, the National Archives and 
     Records Administration, the American Jewish Historical 
     Society, and the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American 
     Jewish Archives have formed ``The Commission for 
     Commemorating 350 Years of American Jewish History'' 
     (referred to in this resolution as the ``Commission'') to 
     mark this historic milestone;
       Whereas the Commission will use the combined resources of 
     its participants to promote the celebration of the Jewish 
     experience in the United States throughout 2004; and
       Whereas the Commission is designating September 2004 as 
     ``American Jewish History Month'': Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes--
       (A) the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish community; 
     and
       (B) ``The Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of 
     American Jewish History'' and its efforts to plan, 
     coordinate, and execute commemorative events celebrating 350 
     years of American Jewish history;
       (2) supports the designation of an ``American Jewish 
     History Month''; and
       (3) urges all Americans to share in this commemoration so 
     as to have a greater appreciation of the role the American 
     Jewish community has had in helping to defend and further the 
     liberties and freedom of all Americans.

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