[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO RABBI MICHAEL MELCHIOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
paying tribute to Rabbi Michael Melchior, a distinguished member of the 
Knesset. Rabbi Michael Melchior was born in 1954 in Denmark. He 
received his rabbinical ordination from Yeshivat Hakotel in Jerusalem. 
Rabbi Melchior comes from a long line of Scandinavian rabbis, and has 
served as rabbi of a Jerusalem congregation since 1986. He also has 
held the title of Chief Rabbi of Norway since 1980.
  Since 1996, Rabbi Melchior has been the chairman of Meimad, a modern-
Orthodox party, which in 1999 became a faction of One Israel. He was 
elected to the Knesset in May 1999. From August 1999 until March 2001, 
Melchior served as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, 
responsible for Diaspora and social affairs. Michael Melchior served as 
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from March 2001 until October 2002.
  Rabbi Melchior has a passionate interest in the improvement of 
Israeli society. To this end, he established many programs that deal 
with the narrowing of gaps in the society between rich and poor, Arab 
and Jew, secular and religious. Rabbi Melchior has eloquently advocated 
for an Israel that allows Israelis to feel a strong sense of Jewish 
identity without pressure or coercion. He has won appreciation both in 
Israel and abroad for his tireless work for tolerance, democracy and 
peace. Furthermore, he is universally recognized, from the Israeli 
Knesset to the international stage, as a figure of vision, 
conciliation, and peace.
  Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Melchior was part of a very unique group of 
religious leaders at a summit meeting in Alexandria, in January 2002, 
which resulted in the historic Alexandria Declaration and initiated the 
Alexandria process, in which mainstream religious leaders of the Holy 
Land gave legitimacy for the first time to a religiously authorized 
peace process. Over the past 2 years the Alexandria process has created 
positive waves in Israel, Palestine, and throughout the entire Arab 
world.
  Among Rabbi Melchior's many awards are the Norwegian Nobel 
Institute's Prize for Tolerance and Bridge-Building, and Yeshivat 
Hakotel's Award for Work in the Diaspora Rabbinate. Rabbi Melchior has 
written numerous articles published in the Israeli and foreign press.
  Mr. Speaker, Rabbi Melchior's passionate commitment to a 
comprehensive and lasting peace reveals true leadership and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in honoring him today.




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