[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H3850]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WELCOMING RABBI BRUCE LUSTIG

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Raskin) is recognized for 1 minute.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Rabbi Bruce Lustig, who just 
led us in this wonderful opening prayer.
  Rabbi Lustig is senior rabbi of the Washington Hebrew Congregation, 
which is Washington, D.C.'s largest and oldest synagogue and where many 
of my constituents worship.
  The son of a refugee from Nazi Germany, his mother, Hedy Lustig, 
Rabbi Lustig grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was often the 
only Jewish child at school. The strong cultural identity instilled by 
his mother, and the emphasis his family placed on engaging with his 
Christian friends and classmates, laid the foundation for his lifelong 
commitment to interfaith work, including his efforts to open dialogue 
and strengthen relationships among Jews, Christians, Muslims, and 
people of all faiths.
  Ordained at the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, 
Rabbi Lustig holds a doctorate of divinity and a master's degree in 
Hebrew letters. He earned his bachelor's with honors from the 
University of Tennessee.

  In delivering today's opening prayer in the House, Rabbi Lustig 
continues a venerable and important tradition. Since the Washington 
Hebrew Congregation was created in 1862, every single one of its senior 
rabbis has delivered an opening prayer before the U.S. Congress. Rabbi 
Lustig now joins that esteemed group.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to welcome Rabbi Lustig to the House today, 
and I would like to extend my thanks for his excellent leadership in 
our community and for offering today's prayer.

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