[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E966]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE

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                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my 
congratulations to the American Jewish Committee (AJC) as it celebrates 
its 100th anniversary.
  The early 1900s were a very challenging and tumultuous time for 
Jewish-Americans. For decades prior, millions of Eastern European Jews 
immigrated to the United States to flee political and religious 
persecution. By coming to America, these brave people took monumental 
steps toward freedom, but even on America's more welcoming shores, they 
often encountered discrimination and economic hardship. Meanwhile, in 
the countries from which they fled, the persecution and danger against 
Jews intensified. The pogroms in Russia left thousands of innocent Jews 
dead, and many more wounded or without homes. In 1906, striving to end 
the senseless violence and discrimination perpetuated against their 
people across the world, a small group of Jewish Americans came 
together to create the American Jewish Committee, an organization 
committed to ending anti-Semitism, promoting pluralism and religious 
freedom, and protecting human rights.
  Although the task before them was often daunting, they succeeded at 
raising national and international awareness to the crimes being 
committed in Europe this time. Often, this awareness was sparked by 
collaborative efforts with organizations of different faiths. As anti-
Semitism spread prior to its horrendous climax in the Holocaust during 
World War II, the AJC was one of the first organizations to bring the 
issue to the forefront by lobbying political leaders, the international 
community, and appealing to the media.
  Since that time, the AJC's positive impact has been felt around the 
world. The AJC was instrumental in developing many of the provisions 
included in the United Nations Charter, and later would advocate for 
the establishment of the International Criminal Court. They also 
provided invaluable research to the plaintiffs in the landmark Supreme 
Court case Brown v. the Board of Education which ended racial 
segregation. During the 1960s, the AJC worked tirelessly with the 
Catholic Church to foster a productive friendship between the two 
faiths. This culminated in the Church's release of Nostra Aetate, a 
document officially condemning any animosity by Catholics against Jews. 
And in 1965, the AJC recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with the 
American Liberties Medallion in honor of his efforts to end racial 
intolerance.
  The AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute continues to work with 
international organizations to monitor war crimes and intolerance, as 
well as providing humanitarian aid to victims of natural disasters, 
refugees of war, and suffering around the globe. To this day, the AJC 
remains strongly committed to strengthening interfaith relations to 
ensure that when they speak on issues of great concern to the world, 
they are speaking on behalf of all humanity, not just the Jewish 
people.
  Mr. Speaker, the American Jewish Committee's 100th anniversary is a 
tremendous achievement. Even more remarkable are the contributions the 
AJC has provided during its existence. The AJC has built a tremendous 
reputation, and continually strives for religious freedom, equality, 
and tolerance. Although it is called the American Jewish Committee, the 
goals they set forth and the feats they have accomplished are valued by 
members of all faiths, all nations, all people. I congratulate the AJC 
on its anniversary, and wish this extraordinary organization more 
success in the future.

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