[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM ACT OF 2018

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2018

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1911, the 
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2018. This 
important legislation would elevate the position of Special Envoy to 
Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism to the rank of Ambassador, reporting 
directly to the Secretary of State; as the primary advisor and 
coordinator for U.S. government efforts to monitor and combat Anti-
Semitism and Anti-Semitic incitement in foreign countries. Many notable 
groups support this initiative, including the American Jewish 
Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, and The Jewish Federations of 
North America, and I am proud to stand with them to ensure that the 
United States continues to play a leading role in combatting Anti-
Semitism across the globe.
  Those of us who have served on the U.S. Helsinki Commission have 
taken efforts to combat anti-Semitism at the international level. As 
Ranking Democratic Member of the United States Helsinki Commission, I 
have long worked with representatives of governments throughout Europe 
to highlight the resurgence of Anti-Semitism and elevate efforts to 
push back against this despicable resurgence through education, 
outreach, and improved security. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hoyer, Senator Cardin 
and I have all chaired the Helsinki Commission, and together, we have 
worked with several other Members of both the House and Senate, as well 
as with parliamentarians particularly from Germany and Canada, to have 
the Parliamentary Assembly of the 57-country OSCE condemn the 
escalation of anti-Semitic violence in Europe.
  We first did this at the Assembly's 2002 annual session in Berlin, 
Germany, and have kept it on the agenda there ever since, suggesting 
measures to counter anti-Semitic statements and acts of violence alike. 
I pushed it strongly while serving as President of the OSCE 
Parliamentary Assembly from 2004 to 2006, and then as chairman of the 
Commission from 2007 to 2008. We succeeded in getting OSCE 
institutions, officials and diplomatic representatives to incorporate 
efforts to combat anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance into 
their ongoing work. I know Mr. Smith continues to raise the issue in 
the Assembly as the current co-chair of the Helsinki Commission, and 
Senator Cardin serves as the Assembly's Special Representative on Anti-
Semitism, Racism and Intolerance.
  Ensuring that our country continues to lead in the fight against 
Anti-Semitism is a priority that we should all embrace. I fully support 
this measure and urge my colleagues to do the same.

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