[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 141 (Thursday, October 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1475-E1476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE GREAT LAKES REGION CHAPTER OF B'NAI B'RITH FOR 
              170 YEARS OF ADVOCACY FOR THE JEWISH PEOPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 10, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, as B'nai B'rith 
International celebrates 170 years of advocacy and leadership in 
support of the security of Jewish people around the world, including 
the Jewish State of Israel, and to recognize its local chapter for the 
Great Lakes region.
   When it was founded in 1843, the members B'nai B'rith set out to 
create a support network for newly arriving Jewish immigrants in the 
United States. Among its first actions, B'nai B'rith created an 
insurance policy to provide members' widows with resources to cover the 
cost of funeral services and a weekly stipend for the remainder of 
their lives. It also provided a stipend to each member's children and 
assured male children that they would be taught a trade. From these 
initial programs, which were an immediate response to the living 
conditions of Jewish immigrants in New York, B'nai B'rith rapidly grew, 
with many fraternal lodges and chapters in the United States and around 
the world.
   As it grew, B'nai B'rith quickly became involved in international 
affairs which became necessary to respond to rising anti-Semitism in 
Eastern Europe. As part of its response, the United States opened its 
first Consulate General in Romania, expanding the reach of American 
diplomacy. From this initial foray into foreign policy, B'nai B'rith 
has developed into a global voice for the safety and security of the 
Jewish people and their homeland.
   In addition, to its international initiatives, B'nai B'rith has 
cultivated and maintained a number of programs to address the changing 
needs of the Jewish American population. As the Jewish population in 
the United States has aged, B'nai B'rith has responded to the needs of 
seniors, opening its first senior residence in 1971 which has grown 
into an international network of forty residences worldwide. The

[[Page E1476]]

array of services offered by B'nai B'rith now includes programs for 
youth, seniors, humanitarian aid and young professionals, as well as 
programs that are designed to foster cross-cultural dialogue.
   In the Great Lakes region, we are fortunate to have an active and 
dedicated local chapter of B'nai B'rith which is celebrating its 156th 
year of service to communities across the upper Midwest. Among the 
local programs it supports are scholarships for college-bound students, 
Project H.O.P.E. to provide special kosher food to seniors and 
community members in-need during Passover, and countless cultural 
events that share the richness of Jewish traditions with the community 
at-large.
   Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the outstanding advocacy and 
leadership that B'nai B'rith has displayed in the last 170 years on 
behalf of the Jewish people and the Jewish State of Israel. I am 
further pleased to congratulate B'nai B'rith's local Great Lakes 
chapter for its incredible work, not only as a leading voice for the 
Jewish community of the Greater Detroit, but as an important partner 
that enables cross-cultural dialogue that strengths the region. I 
congratulate all of my friends in the Great Lakes chapter of B'nai 
B'rith and I wish them success as they continue to be a clear and 
passionate voice for the Jewish communities in the Midwest and around 
the world.

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