[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2344]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONDEMNING THE RISE OF HIGH-TECH ANTI-SEMITISM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of 
the House an issue that this House bravely stood against earlier this 
year, the rise of anti-Semitism. While we understand the danger of 
anti-Semitism, I rise today to remind the House of the possible 
consequences of anti-Semitism in the developing world.
  Last month the House unanimously passed House Resolution 409, 
condemning the anti-Semitic remarks of the former Prime Minister of 
Malaysia, Doctor Mahathir Mohamad. This House joined international 
condemnation of the hate-speech and stereotypes contained in Doctor 
Mahathir's speech. It seemed inconceivable that a man of such education 
and leadership could sink to so low a level.
  Little noticed amid the well-earned condemnation of Dr. Mahathir's 
comments was the rest of his speech. It surprised many to see that the 
remainder of the speech was a call for advanced technical research, 
social and political modernization, and the development of first-rate 
communications in the Islamic world. These things are the very things 
that our country has been urging as a means of integrating these 
countries into the international community. How can Dr. Mahathir share 
the means and yet call for such a different end?
  Since the end of the Second World War, anti-Semitism has not been 
seen as a disease that modern countries are susceptible to. Many have 
forgotten how scientifically advanced Hitler's Germany was, and how 
increases in knowledge were used to increase the murdering power of 
hate. Despite our hopes to the contrary, science proved to be values 
free, and the minds that could improve the lot of all mankind were put 
to the work of killing as many defenseless people as possible.
  For 50 years after the end of the war, we kept close watch on the 
spread of technology, and trained scientists on how not to become a 
tool for evil. Science has brought the world closer together than ever, 
and technology has allowed the flowering of commerce and the arts. Yet 
the lesson remains, that this is because we make it so, not because of 
any moral value in technology itself.
  While our Nation prides itself on the great advances being made in 
developing countries, and the ease with which technophobia around the 
world is dispelled, we cannot rest comfortably. Every invention, every 
improvement, can be used for evil when held by men with hate-filled 
minds. The periodic table and computer code do not contain hidden 
lessons on rooting out anti-Semitism and murder. New ministries and 
parliaments can be elected as fairly, and corrupted as easily, as the 
Reichstag that brought Hitler to power.
  This Nation, and every nation of goodwill, must not be satisfied with 
spreading democracy and development. Without a commitment to fighting 
anti-Semitism, bringing murderers to justice, refusing to collaborate 
with evil, and speaking out for the truth, true peace and freedom in 
the Islamic world, and the rest of this planet, cannot be obtained.

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