[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 165 (Monday, December 19, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2616-E2617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE THAT SYMBOLS AND TRADITIONS OF CHRISTMAS 
                          SHOULD BE PROTECTED

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 14, 2005

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, forgive me if I haven't noticed that 
Christmas is under attack. Being Jewish, maybe I am simply incapable of 
judging. Silly me, I thought there were about the same number of 
Christmas trees, both in private homes and public places--that is, 
everywhere. Seems like Christmas music is still ubiquitous in 
elevators, grocery stores, the mall and while on hold on the telephone. 
No? Having just returned from Eastern Market, I still have the sounds 
of real live carolers in my ears, and, as a former community choir 
member, I knew all the words and sang along. (Is it anti-Christmas for 
a Jew to do that? I should check with Bill O'Reilly.)
  Santa was there as usual at Congressmen Barton's and Dingell's 
reception for the Energy and Commerce Committee, and adorable little 
children of Christian conservatives as well as moderates, and yes, even 
Democrats, were

[[Page E2617]]

sitting on his lap. I thought I observed the same mix of awe, fear and 
delight as in years past, but Jewish eyes can deceive, I guess.
  I could be wrong, but I think it would be pretty hard not to guess 
that it is the ``Christmas season'' or that ``Christmas'' is coming if 
you turned on just about any channel, cable or broadcast, at just about 
any time of the day or night. Sometimes those reminders also include a 
request for you to call in and give your credit card number, and do it 
now, because there are only a few more days until ``Christmas.''
  I'm pretty cheerful about responding to ``Merry Christmas'' with a 
``Same to you.'' I can't recall ever scolding anyone in public or in 
private for missing the fact that I don't celebrate Christmas. I do try 
not to say it myself at my synagogue, unless I know for sure the person 
is Christian, and then I try especially hard to say it.
  I'm fond of candy canes. They seem to be available for free in many 
places at this time of year--``Christmas'' time. I try never to pass 
one up. I even try to like fruit cake, understanding it is one of the 
typical ``Christmas'' treats, but I think it may be like gefilte fish--
an acquired taste.
  If there are some Christians who think that Christmas has become too 
commercial--the symbol of Christmas being more the Visa or Mastercard 
than the nativity scene--then I think they deserve to have a serious 
discussion about that. That discussion, in my Jewish view, would be 
best held in church, or at home, or just about any place other than the 
floor of the United States House of Representatives.

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