[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 84 (Thursday, May 18, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                     JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

  Mr. President, I rise today to recognize May as Jewish American 
Heritage Month. My good friend, Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz 
and the late Senator Arlen Specter introduced the first resolution to 
recognize Jewish American Heritage Month in 2006. President George W. 
Bush then recognized the occasion through a presidential proclamation, 
which every subsequent administration has since renewed. I am proud to 
join Senators Rosen, Tim Scott, and Rick Scott in introducing S. Res. 
203, this year's resolution to recognize Jewish American Heritage 
Month.
  Jews have turned to America as a place of refuge for more than 360 
years, from when the first 23 Jews fled the Inquisition in Brazil to 
the pogroms in Eastern Europe, the Holocaust, and many other instances 
of violence and discrimination.
  Jewish American Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to celebrate 
the contributions that American Jews have made to our country. The list 
is long and illustrious: there is Albert Einstein, the theoretical 
physicist who devised the theory of relativity, which expanded our 
understanding of the universe; the trailblazing women's rights 
advocate, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was the second woman to sit 
on the Supreme Court, and the first female Jewish justice; Dr. Jonas 
Salk, who created the polio vaccine, saving countless lives; Emma 
Lazarus, who gave us the poem inscribed on the Statue of Liberty that 
reads, ``Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to 
breathe free.''
  The list goes on and on and includes Nobel Laureates, scientists, 
writers, musicians, entertainers, businessmen, academics, athletes, and 
more.
  As we commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month and celebrate the 
contributions of American Jews, we must also remain committed to 
countering antisemitism both at home and abroad. Last year, we saw a 36 
percent increase in antisemitic incidents nationwide, according to the 
Anti-Defamation League. In my home State of Maryland, the numbers are 
even more alarming, with antisemitic incidents nearly doubling from 
2021 to 2022. That is why I have prioritized addressing the rise of 
antisemitism and hate-fueled violence. As Co-Chair of the U.S. Helsinki 
Commission and as the Special Representative on Antisemitism, Racism, 
and Intolerance for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in 
the European Parliamentary Assembly, I have held hearings on the 
alarming increase in antisemitism and its threat to democracy.
  Last November, I convened a working group of high-level officials 
from across the government and non-profit sector to enhance 
coordination in countering both domestic and international 
antisemitism.
  The Biden administration has also acted to address antisemitism head-
on. In December 2022, the President established an inter-agency group 
led by Domestic Policy Council staff and National Security Council 
staff to increase and better coordinate U.S. Government efforts to 
counter antisemitism, Islamophobia, and related forms of bias and 
discrimination within the United States. The group's first mandate is 
to develop a national strategy to counter antisemitism, which would 
help bring awareness to, address, and prevent antisemitic incidents. I 
look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and the Biden 
administration to ensure that we use every tool available to confront 
this growing threat.
  Awareness through education is a critical component of the effort to 
combat prejudice. We must educate members of the public, especially our 
young people, on the dangers of antisemitism and intolerance.
  One of our best resources for doing this is the U.S. Holocaust 
Memorial Museum. This past April, I led my colleagues in introducing a 
resolution to recognize the 30th anniversary of the Museum's founding. 
This national institution has welcomed over 47 million visitors during 
the past 30 years. It confronts hatred and Holocaust denial and 
preserves the history of the Holocaust. Visitors in person or online 
can hear stories of survivors, victims, and those who tried to help. 
Through teaching about the Holocaust, the Museum challenges the public 
and world leaders to take action against hate in their own communities.
  The history of persecution of Jews and continued violence against 
Jewish communities in the United States and around the world today 
highlight the importance of the Jewish homeland, the State of Israel, 
and the U.S.-Israel relationship. Last month, Israel celebrated its 
75th anniversary as an independent state. To mark this milestone, I am 
leading legislation with Senator Ted Cruz to direct the Treasury 
Department to mint a commemorative coin honoring Golda Meir, the first 
female prime minister of the State of Israel.
  American Jews have had a strong bond with Israel since its inception 
as a Jewish homeland. But all Americans benefit from the special 
relationship between the United States and Israel. Together we face the 
common enemies of terrorism and extremism and are stronger and safer 
because of our relationship.
  We also benefit economically from our partnership. More than 2,500 
U.S. companies do business in Israel. Not only does America invest in 
Israel, but Israel invests in America, creating jobs in the United 
States and spurring innovation. Americans enjoy many technical 
innovations that came from Israel, such as USB drives, instant 
messaging, medical cameras small enough to swallow, irrigation systems, 
and much more.
  To me, one of the most important aspects of being an American Jew is 
the opportunity to apply Jewish values to my daily life. Jewish values 
like Tikkun Olam, which in Hebrew means ``repairing the world,'' have 
helped inspire and guide my life in public service. My Jewish 
upbringing taught me to give back and that I have a responsibility to 
make a difference in the world. It's why I have pursued a career as an 
elected official since I was a law school student.
  This Jewish American Heritage Month, let us honor the values and 
contributions of Jewish Americans who are a vital part of the American 
story and stand together to make clear that evil, hate, and 
antisemitism will not prevail.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. King). The Senator from Connecticut.