[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RABBI BERNHARD ROSENBERG

  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I rise now to thank Rabbi Bernhard 
Rosenberg for his stirring innovation this morning. This is only the 
latest honor to be conferred on Rabbi Rosenberg for his lifetime of 
distinguished service. He is a pillar in New Jersey's vibrant religious 
community, serving as a spiritual leader and educator, and his 
accomplishments speak for themselves.
  If I might be personal, Rabbi Rosenberg is a terrific human being, 
whom I know personally. I am very pleased he joined us.
  As the son of Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Rosenberg has taught 
numerous youngsters the importance of reflecting on that awful period 
in world history, a period which led to the deaths of more than six 
million Jews, as well as countless others. He has written many books on 
that subject, including ``Contemplating the Holocaust'' and ``What the 
Holocaust Means to Me: Teenagers Speak Out.''
  Rabbi Rosenberg has served New Jersey in many capacities, including 
as a member of the New Jersey State Holocaust Commission, an appointee 
to the New Jersey Parole Board, and as the chairman of the Edison Human 
Rights Commission. For his years of commitment to the Jewish community 
and his humanitarian spirit, he has received a number of awards, 
including the Rabbi Israel Moshowitz Award by the New York Board of 
Rabbis, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, and the 
Chaplain of the Year Award for his work relating to the September 11 
attacks.
  I take this opportunity to thank Rabbi Rosenberg for his years of 
service to the State of New Jersey, to the Jewish Community, and to the 
Nation. He has earned the profound respect of the people of New Jersey 
and this Senator.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, since 1789, every session of the 
Senate has been opened with prayer. I am proud that the Senate's guest 
Chaplain today, Rabbi Dr. Bernhard H. Rosenberg, is from my home State 
of New Jersey. Rabbi Rosenberg is the spiritual leader of Congregation 
Beth-El in Edison, NJ.
  As the only child of Holocaust survivors, the late Jacob and Rachel 
Rosenberg, Rabbi Rosenberg has spent his life teaching the history and 
effects of the Holocaust.
  In 1933, there were over 9 million Jews living in Europe. Almost 6 
million were killed in the next 12 years. ``Holocaust,'' translated 
from Greek, means ``sacrifice by fire.'' The systematic persecution and 
genocide of millions of innocent people in Europe was a ``sacrifice'' 
the civilized world must never forget. I have met with Holocaust 
survivors, and I have seen the concentration camps. It was a hideous 
time in our world's history. But it is vital to learn about it, and it 
is vital to talk about it.
  Rabbi Rosenberg serves his community as a leader, teacher, writer, 
and spiritual adviser. He is an impressively educated man, with 
multiple degrees in communication and education, and his ordination and 
doctorate of education from Yeshiva University in New York.
  Rabbi Rosenberg teaches Holocaust Studies at the Moshe Aaron Yeshiva 
High School of Central New Jersey, and has taught at Rutgers University 
and Yeshiva University. Rabbi Rosenberg has authored four books, with 
``Theological and Halachic Reflections on the Holocaust'' now in its 
second printing.
  He is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth-El and a model 
citizen in New Jersey.
  Rabbi Rosenberg has dedication and commitment that is unparalleled. 
He is the editor of a Holocaust publication distributed by the 
Rabbinical Assembly and editor of the New York Board of Rabbis 
Newsletter. As Interfaith Chairman of the New Jersey State Holocaust 
Commission, Rabbi Rosenberg is associate editor of the State-mandated 
curriculum on Holocaust and Genocide.
  Rabbi Rosenberg is chairman of the Human Rights Commission and 
chaplain of the Department of Public Safety, police and fire, of 
Edison, NJ. He is president and founder of the New Jersey Second 
Generation Holocaust Survivors' Group.
  The work of Rabbi Rosenberg has not gone unnoticed. He recently 
received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award. He also 
received the Chaplain of the Year Award from the New York Board of 
Rabbis for his efforts during and following 9/11.
  On June 10, 2002, Rabbi Rosenberg was presented with the annual Rabbi 
Israel Mowshowitz Award by the New York Board of Rabbis.
  We are privileged to have Rabbi Rosenberg of Edison, NJ, to lead the 
Senate in prayer today.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Who yields time?
  Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the time during 
the quorum call be charged equally to both sides during the morning 
business period.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  Mr. REID. I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

                          ____________________