[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 109 (Tuesday, September 14, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S9156]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ROSH HASHANAH AND ANTI-SEMITISM

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, tomorrow is the Jewish holiday Rosh 
Hashanah, and it is also called the Jewish New Year. It is one of the 
holiest days of the year in the Jewish faith for the Jewish people. 
Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of the world. It is 
a day for contemplation and prayer, to look forward to the year ahead, 
to reflect on past deeds, and to ask for God's forgiveness.

  As our friends prepare to celebrate their holiday, I think it is 
appropriate for us to take time to reflect on our own deeds and the 
state of tolerance or, as I am pained to say, the rise of intolerance 
toward the Jewish people. A number of Senators will be speaking on the 
topic this morning, and I do urge my colleagues to listen and follow 
the issue closely. A sampling of anti-Semitic incidents just this 
summer really does paint a disturbing picture.
  In Paris, anti-Semitic inscriptions were found stamped into a dozen 
books in the main library. The perpetrators stamped the edge of the 
books with the words ``Against the Jewish Mafia and Jewish Racism'' and 
then gave the Web addresses of anti-Semitic sites.
  Anti-Semitic graffiti, including a sign saying ``death to Jews'' and 
a swastika, was found scrawled on a wall on the grounds of Notre Dame 
Cathedral.
  Sixty gravestones were desecrated with swastikas in a Jewish cemetery 
in Lyon.
  France was not alone. Last month, in Germany, thugs vandalized a 
Jewish monument.
  In Belgium, four Jewish teenagers were assaulted. One of the Jewish 
students was stabbed in the back and his lung was punctured.
  In New Zealand, a Jewish chapel was burned down and up to 90 Jewish 
headstones were pulled out of the ground and smashed.
  In Canada, a synagogue was vandalized with graffiti, swastikas, and 
anti-Semitic slogans.
  These are just a few of the incidents that have occurred in recent 
months. Leaders in the Jewish community are understandably concerned.
  I urge my colleagues and my fellow Americans to share their concern.
  We know the history. We know where anti-Semitism can lead. It is our 
duty to stand firm against bigotry and intolerance. We cannot allow 
history to repeat itself.
  Again, I make these statements in part because of the Jewish holiday 
tomorrow. A number of people have come forward to express their 
sentiments to us in leadership. I know further remarks will be made on 
the floor in morning business on that issue.
  Mr. President, at this juncture, I am happy to yield for a question.
  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I thank the majority leader for yielding 
for a question.

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