[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 119 (Thursday, September 21, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9887-S9888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               HATE CRIME

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, the Jewish New Year is a time for 
celebration, prayer, and reflection. As friends and family commemorate 
the high holy days which begin tomorrow evening, Jewish communities 
across Washington State and around the world will come together, 
consider the past, and look to the year ahead.
  Rosh Hashanah brings new beginnings and new energy; Yom Kippur calls 
for atonement and forgiveness. These ideals extend beyond religion or 
race--they build common ground and inspire shared sacrifice. All of 
this was threatened by an act of senseless violence and hate this 
summer in Seattle. We cannot give in to that hate.
  During these days of repentance and renewal, I share a commitment to 
ending violence and to living with one another in peace both around the 
world and here in our own communities.
  Yet we are still shocked and saddened by the pain and loss of July 
28,

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2006, when a gunman driven by hate, forced his way into the offices of 
the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. He killed one woman and 
wounded five others before surrendering to police.
  Our community tries to recover, but we are stunned. The King County 
Prosecutor said: ``Make no mistake, this was a hate crime.''
  I mourn the loss of Pamela Waechter, a beautiful woman and warm 
spirit who lost her own life while trying to improve the lives of 
others. All across Washington State we have been asking the same 
questions. How could such an event happen in our community? How could 
such violence be carried out in our city in the name of hate?
  There is never any justification for a hate crime, anywhere. That 
this horrific crime took a life so suddenly and so uselessly is a 
tragedy for all of Seattle. We must recommit ourselves to the goal laid 
out by Rabbi Mirel. He said: ``Hatred will not be our legacy.''
  We must do more, both as a national community and as individuals, to 
recognize the brutality of this crime and to respond to this terrible 
event. And we must do more to demonstrate that the only kind of 
intolerance Americans will abide is an intolerance for short-term 
answers and shortsighted conclusions.
  Pamela Waechter, who was killed in July, set an example for us all 
through her involvement in the Seattle community. She moved to Seattle 
in 1979. After raising two children, Pamela became a student at the 
University of Washington and graduated with a degree in nutrition.
  Pamela worked at Jewish Family Service and later at the Jewish 
Federation, where she did outreach and fundraising. She rose from 
secretary to two-term president at Temple B'nai Torah. Pamela stood out 
in her dedication, and brought the diverse people of this city together 
across boundaries of ethnicity or religion.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. We 
honor their spirit during these Days of Awe by celebrating their deeds, 
pursuing peace, and seeking renewal.

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