[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 183 (Tuesday, November 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1546-E1547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          H. RES. 1138 PASSAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 20, 2018

  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of 
House Resolution 1138, and I wholeheartedly support its passage.
  H. Res. 1138 condemns the heinous anti-Semitic attack on the building 
housing three congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light in 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that resulted in the deaths of 11 innocent 
people. The resolution honors the memory of the victims of the attack, 
as well as offers condolences to and expresses support for their 
families, friends, and community.
  I am saddened and outraged by this hateful act. Unfortunately, anti-
Semitic incidents have been on the rise--increasing 57 percent in 2017. 
This horrific shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue is yet another 
manifestation of this ancient hatred.
  Congress stands united in condemning the deadly attack on the Tree of 
Life synagogue, remembering all who were taken from us on that fateful 
day, and wishing speedy recovery for those who survived. Last week, 
Members of Congress passed this bill, not as Republicans or Democrats, 
but as Americans who oppose intolerance.
  The freedom to worship is a core principle of this nation--one that 
our forefathers enshrined in our Constitution to protect us all from 
undue prosecution. As a Jewish Member of Congress, I stand ready to 
fiercely defend the right of all Americans to freely exercise their 
religious beliefs. With anti-Semitism on the rise, we must redouble our 
efforts to eradicate it at home and abroad.
  I pray for the victims of the Tree of Life shooting and their 
families, and I know that our community will work to promote religious 
tolerance and freedom everywhere.

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