[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 83 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[House]
[Page H5519]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of the 
second annual Jewish American Heritage Month, which takes place in 
communities across the country each May.
  Jewish American Heritage Month promotes awareness of the 
contributions American Jews have made to the fabric of American life, 
from technology and literature to entertainment, politics and medicine.
  As we are all well aware, the foundation of our country is built upon 
the strengths of our unique cultures and backgrounds. While our 
diversity is our strength, ignorance about many cultures is still 
prevalent.
  Because Jews make up only 2 percent of our Nation's population, most 
Americans have had few interactions with Jews and Jewish culture. The 
limited understanding of Jewish traditions and the Jewish experience 
and the historical role Jews have played in our Nation's development 
contributes to stereotypes and prejudices about Jews and the Jewish 
community.
  For example, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, most 
recent hate crime statistics report that 69 percent of criminal 
incidents motivated by religious bias stemmed from anti-Jewish 
prejudice.
  Like Black History Month and Women's History Month, Jewish American 
Heritage Month recognizes the abundance of contributions American Jews 
have made to the United States over the last 353 years.
  It is my hope that by providing the framework for the discussion of 
Jewish contributions to our Nation, we will be able to reduce the 
ignorance that ultimately leads to anti-Semitism. One way Jewish 
American Heritage Month counters these prejudices is by providing 
educators the opportunity to include American Jews in discussions of 
history, as well as highlighting the leadership of members of the 
Jewish community in significant historical events.
  For example, it might surprise many to learn that it was an American 
Jew, Irving Berlin, who wrote the lyrics to the song God Bless America. 
Even the very foundations of our country were impacted by Jews. Haym 
Salomon, a Jewish man, was one of the largest financiers of the 
American Revolutionary War.
  And Rabbi Joachim Prinz was a passionate civil rights activist, 
appearing on the podium just moments before Dr. Martin Luther King 
delivered his ``I Have a Dream'' speech. And the list goes on, Mr. 
Speaker.
  Mr. Speaker, this is why communities across the country have come 
together to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month. Two years ago the 
Jewish Community in south Florida approached me with the idea to honor 
the contributions of American Jews with a designated month each year. 
As the concept gained momentum, 250 of my colleagues joined me as 
original cosponsors of a resolution urging the President to issue a 
proclamation for this month. Senator Arlen Specter led the effort in 
the Senate, and together the House and Senate unanimously passed the 
resolution supporting the creation of Jewish American Heritage Month. 
President Bush proclaimed the month of May as Jewish American Heritage 
Month for the first time in 2006, and again issued a proclamation this 
year.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to announce that a coalition of 
organizations has come together to develop curriculum and coordinate 
events. This coalition, called the Jewish American Heritage Month 
Coalition, is led by United Jewish Communities, the American Jewish 
Historical Society, the American Jewish Archives and the Jewish Women's 
Archives.
  The events can all be found on the national calendar of the Jewish 
American Heritage Month Coalition's Web site at www.JewishHeritage.us.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to pause for a moment and thank this coalition 
for their tireless efforts to promote the outstanding events across the 
country. Each day in May has been packed with programs celebrating the 
contributions of American Jewry to our country, with movies, plays, art 
exhibitions, speakers, musical performances, and innovative educational 
curricula.
  The Jewish American Heritage Month Coalition and the Jewish 
Historical Society of Greater Washington kicked off the month with a 
reception attended by several Members of Congress and about 200 guests.
  Right here in Washington, the Library of Congress and the National 
Archives and Records Administration have hosted films, lectures, and 
discussions about Jewish contributions to America.
  In my home State of Florida, there was a celebration of Jewish music 
and a discussion of Jewish contributions to the civil rights movement.
  A New Jersey middle school hosted an essay contest entitled ``I'm 
Proud to be an American Jew Because . . . ''
  Philadelphia hosted ``American Jewish History Through the Arts,'' a 
series of free programs that highlight the American Jewish experience.
  And this past weekend, the New York Liberty, the women's pro 
basketball team, hosted the WNBA's first Jewish American Heritage Month 
basketball game.
  Mr. Speaker, we have come a long way in recent years to promote 
appreciation for the multicultural fabric of the United States. It is 
our responsibility to continue this education. If we as a Nation are to 
prepare our children for the challenges that lie ahead, then teaching 
diversity is a fundamental part of that promise. Together, we can help 
achieve this goal of understanding with the celebration of Jewish 
American Heritage Month.
  I thank my colleagues for their support and call on all Americans to 
observe this special month by celebrating the many contributions of 
Jewish culture throughout our Nation's history.

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