[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E907]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Mr. CLAY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the rich heritage 
and invaluable contributions that Jewish Americans have made to our 
Nation and to the community that I am proud to represent in Missouri's 
First Congressional District.
  The earliest Jewish immigrants came to St. Louis over two hundred 
years ago.
  Like most new Americans, they came seeking a refuge from persecution 
and discrimination, with the hope of building productive lives and 
practicing their faith, without fear.
  In St. Louis, and across the Nation, Jewish Americans have excelled 
in every facet of our society. From commerce, to the arts, to 
education, medicine, the law, government, and in our armed forces.
  Jewish Americans have enriched our Nation and contributed much to our 
shared cultural heritage.
  I also want to make special mention of the long and historic 
partnership between the African American and the Jewish American 
communities, in the pursuit of social justice, civil rights, voting 
rights and equal protection under the law.
  During the most trying times of the civil rights movement, Jewish 
Americans and African Americans marched together, stood together, 
protested together, prayed together, and even died together, to advance 
the cause of full citizenship and real equality for all.
  That partnership and common pursuit of justice endures today.
  In my district, I am blessed to represent a large, vibrant Jewish 
community with many outstanding congregations, educational and cultural 
groups and social service agencies; including: the Jewish Federation of 
St. Louis; the Jewish Community Center; Jewish Family and Childrens 
Services; the Jewish Community Relations Council; the St. Louis 
Holocaust Museum and Learning Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the 
Central Agency for Jewish Education, and many others.
  Jewish Americans have helped shape our Nation's history, and their 
unending commitment to faith, family, learning and social justice will 
continue to strengthen the United States.
  I am proud to join with my colleagues to mark Jewish American 
Heritage Month.

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