[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING HILLEL FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. RON KLEIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 2009

  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the passage of 
H. Res. 493, a resolution to honor the 85th anniversary of Hillel: the 
Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.
  I would like to thank Congressman Tim Johnson for co-authoring this 
resolution with me. Congressman Johnson's district is the home of the 
first Hillel, founded in 1923.
  As my colleagues know well, Hillel is the world's largest Jewish 
college campus organization, serving students on over 500 campuses 
around the world.
  Last night, with dozens of house parties and celebrations, Hillel 
celebrated its 85th anniversary.
  Hillel has been an important partner to universities by providing 
resources, programs and other forms of support to the entire campus 
community. Hillel members, professional staff and lay leaders have 
educated students about American values and have helped them to provide 
leadership for causes, including the civil rights movement, the 
campaign to free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the genocide in 
Darfur, and the promotion of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
  I would like to recognize Wayne Firestone, the President of Hillel, 
originally from South Florida and a University of Miami Hillel alumnus, 
for his tireless work on behalf of the many causes that Hillel students 
advance. I would also like to commend Josh Kram, originally from South 
Florida and a Hillel alumnus at the University of Florida, for helping 
to coordinate a successful birthday celebration.
  Hillel is an important institution that has provided numerous 
benefits to young people and their communities. It is only appropriate 
that on this anniversary, Congress recognize Hillel's achievements in 
giving back to this country and the world.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

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