[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           EXECUTIVE CALENDAR

  Mr. OSSOFF. Madam President, in just a moment--in just a moment--I am 
going to ask that the Senate do something that we should have done 
months ago.
  In just a moment, I am going to ask that this body confirm Deborah 
Lipstadt to serve as the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-
Semitism on behalf of the United States.
  My great-grandparents, Israel and Annie, arrived in this country in 
1911 and 1913, fleeing anti-Semitism in Eastern Europe. Their story is 
like the story of so many Jewish immigrants and refugees who came to 
the United States because the free exercise of religion is guaranteed 
by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. And when I stood just 
there and was sworn into the U.S. Senate, I held in my breast pocket 
copies of the ships' manifests logging their arrivals at Ellis Island.
  We had a confirmation hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson in the 
Judiciary Committee last week, and I had a discussion with Judge 
Jackson about what that means, the free exercise of religion.
  This country has drawn immigrants and refugees from around the world 
because it is a place where you are protected from persecution, no 
matter how you worship. That is what America stands for.
  It is time for the Senate, at long last, to confirm this nominee to 
fight anti-Semitism around the world on behalf of the United States, 
standing up for those values.
  It was U.S. forces who liberated Dachau and Buchenwald. And Annie and 
Israel, my great-grandparents, they got out of Europe. Many of my 
family did not, and they perished in the Holocaust.
  This isn't ancient history. This is recent history. And, right now, 
as we speak, the scourge of anti-Semitism is rising again in this 
country and around the world.
  If we mean the words ``never again,'' then, at long last, let's 
confirm Deborah Lipstadt to fight anti-Semitism on behalf of the United 
States.
  Deborah Lipstadt comes from my home State of Georgia. She is the 
professor of modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies at Emory 
University--a leading scholar of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.
  It is time for the United States to stand up against anti-Semitism. 
It is time, finally, for the Senate to confirm this nominee.
  So at this time, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate consider the 
following nomination: Calendar No. 845, Deborah E. Lipstadt, of 
Georgia, to be Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, with 
the rank of Ambassador (New Position); that the Senate vote on the 
nomination without intervening action or debate; that the motion to 
reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table; that any 
statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; and that 
the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the nomination.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Deborah 
E. Lipstadt, of Georgia, to be Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat 
Anti-Semitism, with the rank of Ambassador (New Position).
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
nomination.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is, Will the Senate advise and 
consent to the Lipstadt nomination?
  The nomination was confirmed.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Ossoff). The Senator from Wisconsin.

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