[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 183 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H9367-H9369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND PRAISE THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE ON ITS
109TH ANNIVERSARY
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of
January 6, 2015, the Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al
Green) for 30 minutes.
General Leave
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the subject matter of my
Special Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as I move forward with this
Special Order hour, because the AJC has been very close in Houston,
Texas, to a leading citizen, the Honorable William Alexander Lawson, I
think it appropriate to let it be known that the AJC stands in sympathy
with a good many persons with reference to Pastor Lawson's loss of his
wife, the Honorable Audrey Lawson.
{time} 1615
She will be funeralized on Friday at 11 a.m.--that would be central
standard time--in Houston, Texas, at the Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.
Pastor Lawson has worked very closely with the AJC and many other
Jewish organizations. I would dare say that he has been a nexus between
various communities and the Jewish community. I am saddened by his loss
and want him to know that the AJC as well as my good offices send him
our condolences.
Today, Mr. Speaker, we are here to present H. Res. 518. H. Res. 518
honors and praises the American Jewish Committee on the occasion of its
109th anniversary. I am proud to tell you, Mr. Speaker, that on the
campus today here at the Capitol we have visitors from the AJC. We have
Richard Foltin, who is the Director of National and Legislative Affairs
in AJC's Office of Government and International Affairs, in Washington,
D.C. He happens to be accompanied by an intelligent, beautiful lady,
who works with the AJC. Her name is Daniela Erazo. They are here, and I
am proud to let them know that we are most excited about their being
here on the occasion of the introduction of this resolution.
This resolution has been cosigned by a good number of Members of
Congress. I would like to, because this is very special to us, give
their names so that the Record will be clear as to who the cosponsors
are.
The original cosponsors are: the Honorable Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,
Florida's 27th District; the Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, Missouri's
Fifth District; the Honorable Steve Cohen, Tennessee's Ninth District;
the Honorable Alcee Hastings, Florida's 20th District; the Honorable
Sander Levin, Minnesota's Ninth District; the Honorable Jerrold Nadler,
New York's 10th District; the Honorable Charles Rangel, New York's 13th
District; the Honorable David Scott, Georgia's 13th District; the
Honorable Frederica Wilson, Florida's 24th District; the Honorable Tom
MacArthur, New Jersey's Third District; and, of course, the Honorable
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida's 23rd District, whom I mentioned
earlier.
This resolution is one that acknowledges the mission of the AJC,
which is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and
to advocate and advance Jewish rights and Jewish values in the United
States and around the world. The AJC is committed to combating racial
prejudice, anti-Semitism, and sponsoring and supporting issues related
to the State of Israel.
The AJC has a rich history. It was founded on November 11, 1906, in
New York City, by a group of American Jews who wanted to raise
awareness about some of the atrocities that were taking place against
Jewish people in Russia as well as in other places. This leadership
went on to add as its list of duties, I suppose, doing all that they
could to help in the fight against racism here in this country.
I am proud to tell you that the local chapter of the AJC in Houston,
Texas, currently has as its director, Randy Czarlinsky. He is a dear
friend. The president is Marcia Nichols. She is a friend as well.
But I am also going to mention a friend who was there in 1989. His
name is David Mincberg. David Mincberg and I worked together. I was the
president of the Houston branch of the NAACP. At that time, we had an
unfortunate circumstance occur in Houston, Texas. We had a city council
person make a racial slur. The AJC and the NAACP worked very closely
together.
David Mincberg was one of the leading citizens to stand up and
denounce this racial slur that took place and call for the resignation
of the city council person. It had been prognosticated by one of our
local persons who was in the community associated with political
science.
He went on to explain that this person probably could have won. I
have not mentioned his name. I see no need to. He probably could have
won his office because there still was some support for him--
substantial support, I might add. But because David Mincberg and the
AJC stood with the African American community, by and
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through the NAACP and other organizations, this city council person
decided to apologize and to resign from office.
This is but one example of how the AJC has made a difference in the
lives of people who are not directly associated with the AJC. I think
all people of goodwill are by virtue of the fact that the AJC is on a
mission to do those things that will enhance the quality of life for
people around the world, especially as they suffer from discrimination
and other forms of atrocities that would cause them to have a quality
of life that is unacceptable.
To this end, I would like to just mention some of the varied
circumstances that the AJC has been involved with.
When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, the AJC organized a delegation to
travel to the Gulf to bring relief and aid to the victims. This was
quite an effort that the AJC put together. It contributed about $1.9
million in relief funds to help these victims to make sure that they
had housing and to make sure that places of worship were rebuilt.
I would also add that the AJC, in 2010, received a wonderful honor.
Dillard University decided that they would dedicate their new Distance
Learning Center in honor of the AJC, as the AJC donated about $200,000
to this university.
In 2005, the AJC's efforts with reference to the tsunami relief fund
should be acknowledged. This tsunami relief fund consisted of about
$900,000 that went to help persons who were the victims of the tsunami
in the Indian Ocean. This was a major disaster. I am proud to know that
the AJC played a role in helping persons to receive not only what we
call relief, but actually an understanding that they were not alone,
that there were people in distant places who were willing to stand with
them to make sure that they received the help that human beings beset
by tragedy richly deserve.
In 2004, with the Dominican Republic and Haiti when there were
floods, the AJC made a contribution.
In 2001, there was an earthquake in El Salvador, and the AJC made a
donation.
In 2000, with the Lebanese refugees in northern Israel, the AJC made
a donation to assist them.
And in 1999, with the Muslim refugees in Kosovo, the AJC made a
financial contribution.
The AJC has been there in most of the major disasters around the
world to be a hand to those in times of need, as evidenced by the
record that I am building.
I would also note that the AJC was there in 1954. In 1954, the NAACP
was litigating Brown v. Board of Education. The AJC filed an amicus
brief in this case supporting the efforts of the NAACP and the other
organizations--there were many--but the AJC was one of the leading
organizations helping us to fight the discrimination that was taking
place in our schools, such that the schools would be open to all, that
there would no longer be segregation in schools in the United States of
America.
As a result of what the AJC and the NAACP were able to accomplish,
the rest, of course, is history. Brown v. Board of Education was won by
the NAACP, with the aid of other organizations, including the AJC. We
now have integrated schools. I would dare say that, without the help of
the AJC and donations and helping us with some of the test materials
with reference to how people are impacted by segregation--the
psychological evaluations and the materials related thereto--without
these things, we may not have won that lawsuit. The AJC has been
instrumental in helping us with this type of invidious discrimination.
In 1965, the AJC presented Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King with the
American Liberties Medallion for his exceptional advancement of the
principles of human liberty. Dr. King, as you know, was a freedom
fighter for all. While he was doing this, he had the aid and comfort of
the AJC. The AJC was there to help him with marches and with the
protest movement, but also there to help him as he went through some of
the difficult times. I can remember the Edmund Pettus Bridge, for
example. There were members of the AJC who were on-site to march with
Dr. King after what we call Bloody Sunday had taken place.
The AJC and its members also established the Transatlantic Institute
to promote Transatlantic cooperation for global security, Middle East
peace, and human rights. This was done in 2004.
The AJC is a champion not only of human rights for Israel, but also
for Palestinians. The AJC supports a two-state solution. The AJC
encourages peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian leadership.
The AJC believes that a peaceful solution with the parties negotiating
it is the best way to have a long and lasting peace in the Middle East.
I must tell you that I have been involved with the Houston AJC as
they go through some of these difficult issues and talk through them
and work through them, and I am honored to support the AJC in its
efforts to bring peace to not only Israel and Palestine, but also to
the entire Middle East. The AJC is very much concerned about the
diaspora on the whole, but more specifically about their friends and
neighbors in the Middle East and bringing peace.
The AJC, in 2007, joined me and other colleagues, especially
Representative Laura Richardson, in a resolution that we had, H. Res.
826, a resolution condemning noose intimidation.
In 2006, we had, at that time, some persons who felt it necessary to
hang nooses in various places to intimidate and to incite others to do
dastardly deeds. The AJC joined with us to denounce this type of
behavior. As a result, while I don't say that there are no nooses being
placed in places for the purpose of intimidation, I can say that they
are not as prevalent as they were back in 2006-2007. I am honored at
the AJC was there to help us with this endeavor.
In 2008, the AJC visited South Sudan to study how Israel could assist
in the preparation for South Sudanese independence. I had the honor of
going to Sudan myself. I was not with the AJC at the time, but I did
have an opportunity to see some of the needs of the people. They were
great, they were many, they were varied, and the AJC was there to
assist with the independence movement.
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The AJC does things that go far beyond what, perhaps, many think it
should be doing or has been doing.
In 2015, the AJC joined the chorus of civil rights groups in
condemning bans on Muslims from entering the United States. This is one
of their most recent activities. The AJC believes that religion should
be respected and that, because a person happens to be of a given
religion, it is no reason to conclude that a person can be banned or
should be banned from the United States of America. The AJC respects
all religions.
The AJC is an entity that established a full-time office in Israel.
It did this for the first time such that it would have a means by which
it could advocate for peace between the Israelis and their Arab
neighbors; so they wanted to make sure that they had an office on the
ground in Israel. While it appears to be a Jewish organization--and it
is--it still wanted to make sure that its presence was immediately
known in the State of Israel.
The AJC has long supported comprehensive immigration reform, and they
want this type of reform done once the security of the Nation's borders
has been put in place. Once the borders are secure, the AJC wants that
comprehensive immigration reform. In fact, it would be great if it
could all happen at the same time, and we push for this.
The AJC is an organization of goodwill, is an organization that has
withstood the test of time, and is an organization that is diverse in
every aspect of its existence as its membership is very diverse, and it
preaches diversity.
In Houston, Texas, the AJC has, on many occasions, talked about the
rich diversity of Houston, Texas. In fact, on an annual basis, an event
is sponsored in Houston, Texas, wherein diversity is celebrated. We
talk about this at what is called America's Table. We talk about all of
the various ethnicities that are at America's Table, and we talk about
how we all came to America's Table. We talk about the greatness of
America. We talk about how there is but one race--the human race. We
celebrate our rich diversity such that we can appreciate each other.
The AJC has made it possible for people who may not have had an
opportunity to meet and to greet each other
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in an informal setting to sit at the table of brotherhood and to get to
know each other in such a way as to not only develop a relationship but
as to develop a friendship. The AJC is a supporter of relationship
building, but, more importantly, of establishing relationships that can
lead to friendships.
So I am honored today, Mr. Speaker, to present H. Res. 518, a
resolution to help us acknowledge the great work of the AJC, not only
this year, but in each year to come, such that this House of
Representatives will annually record and recognize the accomplishments
of the AJC and its members.
I mentioned Sander Levin, who is from Michigan. I may have said
``Minnesota'' earlier. I want to correct the Record. He is a dear
friend and a great supporter of this resolution, and he is also a
person who has been in the fight for human rights. That means human
rights as they relate to all people, not just to some people.
I am honored to close with a very brief word about the AJC and what I
see in the future.
I believe that the AJC, given its history, is going to help us write
a future that will bring peace to Israel and its neighbors. I believe
that the AJC has demonstrated that it not only wants to be of benefit
to Israel, but also to its neighbors. I believe that, with its
involvement here and in Israel, the AJC is going to make a difference.
I think that the AJC, because of its history, will help us through
this immigration reform debate. The AJC does a lot of research, and it
has a lot of intelligence on how this type of circumstance, with people
living in the shadows, can impact the lives of people beyond their
physical existence and also beyond their mental existence. I am proud
that the AJC is providing this type of intelligence.
I believe that the AJC, in the future, will help us with issues
related to police community relations. The AJC is always available to
help us when we have these turbulent times, when there are
circumstances that must be addressed by communities that are grieving.
The AJC helps us to bring the communities together so that we can, at
some point, come to a conclusion that is beneficial to the community as
a whole and to the persons who have been injured or harmed.
In the future, I believe, as the AJC moves forward with its various
programs, it will help us with the hopes and with the aspirations of
people who are suffering in places around the world from various
natural disasters. I think they will do even more to help persons who
are suffering from natural disasters. They have done an awful lot in
every circumstance that is mentionable to date, but I do think that
they will do even more. They have a wide reach, and they make sure that
they are present, in some way, in order to be of assistance.
The AJC has been there. My prediction is that it will be there and
that it will make a difference when it is present. I am honored to have
received this time, and I do trust that Members who have statements
will place them in the Record.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud original
cosponsor of House Resolution 518, Honoring and Praising the American
Jewish Committee on the Occasion of its 109th anniversary, and to more
broadly commend and celebrate the work of AJC. Thank you to my
colleague Representative Al Green for organizing this special order
hour.
Originally founded to raise awareness about the targeting of Jewish
communities in Russia, AJC has become a leading voice and advocate
against racism and prejudice here in the United States and around the
world. Rooted in the Jewish values of tikkun olam--repairing the
world--and of being a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves,
AJC has been a key actor in pivotal movements and legislative victories
including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act, and for
comprehensive immigration reform. As we continue to work to fulfill the
complete visions of those movements, AJC will continue to be on the
front lines.
AJC has partnered with governments all over the world to promote
tolerance and understanding and successfully worked to restore and
preserve Jewish historical and cultural centers from India to Morocco
to Argentina. This work is critical not only for supporting Jewish
communities and historical memory abroad, but also for the broader goal
of promoting intercultural and interreligious understanding in the face
of hatred and violence.
On a more personal level, as a young legislator in the Florida House,
the American Jewish Committee took me on my first trip to Israel in
1995. That mission was nothing short of transformative. Although I felt
a connection to the land of Israel as a Jew, that trip was the first of
many that has deepened my connection to the land, to the history and
reinforcing my steadfast commitment to supporting the state of Israel
and the U.S.-Israel relationship. With threats coming from across and
within her borders, our support for this relationship has perhaps never
been more important.
So again, I commend the American Jewish Committee for its work on
behalf of the Jewish community, on behalf of Israel, and on behalf of
all the people its work impacts.
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