[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 9, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4270-H4271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1381) recognizing the National 
Museum of American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian 
Institution, as the only museum in the Nation dedicated exclusively to 
exploring and preserving the American Jewish experience.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1381

       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History will 
     illustrate how the freedom of America and its associated 
     choices, challenges, and responsibilities fostered an 
     environment in which Jewish Americans have made and continue 
     to make extraordinary contributions in all facets of American 
     life;
       Whereas the mission of the National Museum of American 
     Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, 
     is to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to 
     inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation 
     for the diversity of the American experience and the freedoms 
     to which all Americans aspire;
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History, an 
     affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, was founded in 1976 
     by members of historic Congregation Mikveh Israel, itself 
     established in 1740 and known as the ``Synagogue of the 
     American Revolution'';
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History has 
     attracted a broad audience to its public programs, while 
     exploring American Jewish identity through lectures, panel 
     discussions, authors' talks, films, children's activities, 
     theater, and music;
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History is 
     the repository of the largest collection of Jewish Americana 
     in the world, with more than 25,000 objects; and
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History is 
     currently building a 100,000-square-foot, 5-story, state-of-
     the-art museum on Independence Mall, standing just steps from 
     the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, to serve as a 
     cornerstone of the American Jewish community and a source of 
     national pride: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes--
       (1) the importance of the continuing study and preservation 
     of the unique American Jewish experience; and
       (2) the National Museum of American Jewish History, an 
     affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, as the only museum 
     in the Nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and 
     preserving the American Jewish experience and, as such, as 
     the national museum of American Jewish history.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Daniel 
E. Lungren) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the 
resolution now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, this resolution recognizes the National Museum of 
American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, 
as the only museum dedicated exclusively to exploring and preserving 
the American Jewish experience.
  I am fortunate to have this outstanding institution in my district. 
Founded in 1976, the National Museum of American Jewish History 
currently has the largest collection of Jewish Americana in the world. 
Even so, it is expanding to a new building on Independence Mall in 
Philadelphia.
  I cannot think of a more appropriate place for this institution than 
at the heart of our Nation's birth, just steps from Independence Hall 
and the Liberty Bell. I applaud the museum for its dedication to 
connecting the Jewish community to their heritage and to reminding 
Americans of all backgrounds of their freedoms and diversity we all 
enjoy.
  I urge Members to support this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate the gentleman from Pennsylvania for 
bringing this to the floor.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 1381, recognizing the National 
Museum of American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian 
Institution, as the only museum in the Nation dedicated exclusively to 
exploring and preserving the American Jewish experience.
  This resolution simply commends and congratulates the National Museum 
of American Jewish History for its outstanding work in presenting and 
preserving the Jewish American experience and in teaching all Americans 
about the importance of freedom, respect, and diversity.
  Opening on July 4, 1976, the museum holds the largest collection in 
the world of Jewish Americana and is currently expanding to a beautiful 
new facility appropriately located on Independence Mall in Philadelphia 
near Independence Hall, the National Constitution Center, and the 
Liberty Bell. There it will continue to showcase how the freedom of 
America fostered an environment in which Jewish Americans made and 
continue to make significant contributions to American life.
  The National Museum of American Jewish History shares its current 
site with a Jewish congregation established in the 1740s. This was one 
of the first organized Jewish congregations in the colonies and was 
later called the Synagogue of the American Revolution. Indeed, Madam 
Speaker, our founding documents and the principles upon which our 
Nation was built reflect our Founding Fathers' adherence to Judeo-
Christian values and ethics.
  From the 1 million Jews in the United States in 1900, to the 550,000 
Jews who served in the U.S. military during World War II, to the Jewish 
peoples liberated by American forces, to the approximately 6 million 
Jewish Americans with us today, Jews, Americans, and Jewish Americans 
have been intertwined in their support for liberty and have been vital 
to our self-governing and culturally rich Republic.
  Madam Speaker, I would be remiss if I didn't say that this resolution 
comes at a time when current events have subjected the American Jewish 
community and Jews around the world to greater concern than they have 
been subjected to for some time. The statements of madmen who have 
positions of authority in some countries should have us recall the 
madman of World War II who said similar things.
  The descriptions utilized by those who vent hatred today against 
those of the Jewish faith and Jewish ethnicity, those words of vitriol 
and hatred can do nothing but foster uncertainty, fear, confusion, and 
ultimately can incite violence.
  We should recall that a good portion of the world, the free world, 
stood silently some 65 or 70 years ago when those words were uttered by 
Adolf Hitler, some saying he is nothing but a madman and Germany is 
such a distinguished, scientifically advanced, culturally progressive 
society, that certainly these words of a madman will never take real 
form. Yet, we know they did.
  Today, unfortunately, we hear the words of a madman in the country of 
Iran. In my judgment, too many people say it doesn't mean much, they 
are just the rantings of someone without real power and, from a country 
that has the tremendous history of the Persian culture, they certainly 
would not act on those statements made by that man. Well, we ought to 
pay attention to history.
  I would advise Members of this Chamber, perhaps, to read George 
Gilder's excellent work that was published a year and a half ago called 
``The Israel Test.'' In there, he talks about the tremendous 
contribution of Israelis who have come to the United States and become 
American citizens and also Americans who have gone to Israel and become 
tremendous citizens of that country, and the continuing relationship 
between our two countries and our

[[Page H4271]]

two cultures, which is to the advantage of both, and the fact that over 
and over again we have to remind ourselves that those in the State of 
Israel share common values with the United States and that those common 
values should not be taken for granted. When they have been taken for 
granted, they have either been lost or they have been destroyed for 
some period of time.
  So, as we today salute this museum for its historic value, we should 
remember that museums are, in many ways, invitations to study history 
so that we might not repeat the terrible mistakes of history but, 
rather, be inspired by the tremendous advances of history.
  So I would like to thank my good friend for offering this resolution. 
I would urge all my colleagues to support it.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the 
distinguished gentlewoman from the great State of Pennsylvania, Allyson 
Schwartz. 
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of 
House Resolution 1381 and have appreciated working with my colleague, 
Congressman Brady, to bring this to the floor.
  This resolution recognizes the National Museum of American Jewish 
history, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, as you have 
heard, the only museum in the Nation dedicated exclusively to exploring 
and preserving the American Jewish experience.
  As the museum completes its new, expanded facility on Philadelphia's 
Independence Mall, the museum will have a greater capacity to inspire 
people of all backgrounds with a deep appreciation for the diversity of 
the American Jewish experience and, more broadly, the freedoms and the 
opportunities to which all Americans aspire.
  Freedom, liberty, and the opportunity to thrive in America is the 
museum's overarching theme that will be a powerful experience for 
people of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. The new facility will be 
better able to tell the American immigrant story of the individuals 
meeting challenges and embracing and often fulfilling the American 
values of self-determination, equality, and opportunity.

                              {time}  1230

  The museum highlights the great contributions of Jewish Americans 
that were made over the history of our Nation to the sciences, public 
service, and the arts. I encourage all of my colleagues to visit this 
remarkable institution when it opens its new building on November 14, 
2010.
  For me, the experience of the National American Jewish History Museum 
is marked by the remarkable yet familiar story of one immigrant to 
America. Over 60 years ago, a young woman named Renee Perl was forced 
to flee Austria to escape the Holocaust. She arrived alone on the 
shores of America as a 16-year-old without family or friends. She 
arrived after years of fear and uncertainty, deeply grateful for the 
security that America offered and hopeful about her future. Renee Perl 
was my mother. She instilled in me a deep love for this country and its 
capacity to provide not only a safe harbor, but also freedom and 
opportunity.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I yield the gentlelady 1 additional 
minute.
  Ms. SCHWARTZ. I thank the gentleman.
  Her story and her life are a constant reminder to me of the 
importance of our democracy and our shared responsibility to meet the 
goals and ideals of our Nation. The National Jewish American History 
Museum in its new location honors and elaborates on the stories of 
Jewish Americans like my mother, both ordinary and extraordinary, which 
make up the fabric of who we are as Americans. I am proud to honor the 
occasion of the opening of this new facility and look forward to the 
role the museum will play in telling a part, and for me a very personal 
part, of our Nation's history.
  Mr. DANIEL E. LUNGREN of California. Madam Speaker, I would just say 
again that I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I hope there is a 
unanimous vote for it, and I thank the gentleman for bringing it to the 
floor.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. I thank the gentleman for his support.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time and urge the 
passage of this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1381.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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