[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 116 (Thursday, July 31, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S10868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 25.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment 
to the resolution be agreed to, the concurrent resolution, as amended, 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider 
be laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 1539) was agreed to, as follows:
       Strike all after the resolving clause and insert the 
     following:
       That Congress--
       (1) recognizes the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish 
     community;
       (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.

  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 25), as amended, was agreed 
to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, as amended, with its preamble, reads as 
follows:

                            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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