[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 30, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2658-H2661]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1715
CONDEMNING THE RISE OF ANTISEMITISM AND CALLING ON ELECTED OFFICIALS TO 
IDENTIFY AND EDUCATE OTHERS ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE JEWISH AMERICAN 
                               COMMUNITY

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 382) condemning the rise of antisemitism and 
calling on elected officials to identify and educate others on the 
contributions of the Jewish American community, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 382

       Whereas the Senate and House of Representatives have 
     recognized many heritage months that celebrate the various 
     communities that form the mosaic of the United States;
       Whereas through recognizing and celebrating heritage 
     months, we learn about one another, honor the richness of the 
     diversity of the United States, and strengthen the fabric of 
     society in the United States;
       Whereas Jewish American Heritage Month has its origins in 
     1980, when Congress enacted a Joint Resolution entitled 
     ``Joint Resolution to authorize and request the President to 
     issue a proclamation designating April 21 through April 28, 
     1980, as `Jewish Heritage Week' '', approved April 24, 1980 
     (Public Law 96-237; 94 Stat. 338);
       Whereas on April 24, 1980, President Carter issued the 
     proclamation for Jewish Heritage Week, and in that 
     proclamation, President Carter spoke about the bountiful 
     contributions made by the Jewish people to the culture and 
     history of the United States;
       Whereas Congress has played a central role in recognizing 
     Jewish American Heritage Month since the Senate and the House 
     of Representatives passed resolutions in 2006 and 2005, 
     respectively, urging the President to proclaim the national 
     observation of a month recognizing the Jewish American 
     community;
       Whereas since 2006, Presidents Bush, Obama, Trump, and 
     Biden have all issued proclamations for Jewish American 
     Heritage Month, which celebrates Jewish Americans and 
     encourages all people of the United States to learn more 
     about Jewish heritage and the contributions of Jewish people 
     throughout the history of the United States;
       Whereas we recognize the significance of Jewish American 
     Heritage Month as a time to celebrate the contributions of 
     Jewish Americans to the society and culture of the United 
     States;
       Whereas people of the United States celebrate the rich 
     history of Jewish people in the United States and the more 
     than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to society in 
     the United States;
       Whereas the United States has long served as a haven for 
     Jewish people escaping from oppression in search of liberty, 
     justice, and tolerance;
       Whereas the Jewish American community dates back to 1654, 
     when a group of 23 Jewish people, fleeing persecution at the 
     hands of the Portuguese Inquisition, fled Brazil and found 
     refuge in what is now New York City;
       Whereas Jewish Americans have established deep roots in 
     communities across the United States, and served their 
     neighbors and the United States as loyal and patriotic 
     citizens, always grateful for the safe harbor that the United 
     States has provided for them;
       Whereas the Jewish American community has since grown to 
     over 6,000,000 people, representing approximately 2 percent 
     of the population of the United States in 2023;
       Whereas Jewish Americans have served in government and the 
     military, won Nobel prizes, led universities and 
     corporations, advanced medicine and philanthropy, created and 
     performed in enduring works of performing and visual art, 
     written great novels, become emblems of justice as members of 
     the Supreme Court of the United States, and so much more;
       Whereas Jewish Americans have been subjected to a recent 
     surge in antisemitism as the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) 
     2022 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents tracked 3,697 antisemitic 
     incidents in the United States, representing a 36-percent 
     increase from 2021 and the largest number on record since the 
     Anti-Defamation League began tracking antisemitic incidents 
     in 1979;
       Whereas the rise in antisemitism is being felt by ordinary 
     people in the United States, as a report by the American 
     Jewish Committee revealed that--
       (1) 89 percent of Jewish respondents believe antisemitism 
     is a problem in the United States; and
       (2) 4 in 10 Jewish Americans reported changing their 
     behavior in at least 1 way out of fear of antisemitism;
       Whereas over the course of the past decade, Holocaust 
     distortion and denial has grown in intensity;
       Whereas a 2020 survey of all 50 States on Holocaust 
     knowledge among Millennials and Generation Z, conducted by 
     the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, 
     found a clear lack of awareness of key historical facts, 
     including--
       (1) 63 percent of respondents did not know that 6,000,000 
     Jews were murdered during the Holocaust; and
       (2) 36 percent of respondents thought that ``two million or 
     fewer Jews'' were killed;
       Whereas the Federal Bureau of Investigation has aggregated 
     2021 hate crime data showing that Jewish people remain the 
     single most targeted religious minority in the United States;
       Whereas the most effective ways to counter the increase in 
     antisemitic actions are through education, awareness, and the 
     uplifting of Jewish voices, while highlighting the 
     contributions that Jewish Americans have made to the United 
     States; and
       Whereas as the strength of a society can be measured by how 
     that society protects its minority populations and celebrates 
     their contributions, it is altogether fitting for the United 
     States to once again mark the month of May as Jewish American 
     Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil 
     society leaders to condemn and combat any and all acts of 
     antisemitism;
       (2) takes all possible steps to ensure the safety and 
     security of Jewish American communities; and
       (3) calls on the Executive Branch and civic leaders to 
     identify and educate the public on the contributions of the 
     Jewish American community

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Issa) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on H. Res. 382, the bill now under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Jewish American Heritage Month, first proclaimed by 
George W. Bush in 2006 and by each successive President since, 
recognizes the great contribution that the Jewish community has given 
to this country since its founding. Recognizing this month is 
particularly important because of the rise of anti-Semitism over the 
last few years.
  Recently, Mr. Speaker, the Judiciary Committee heard testimony 
regarding anti-Semitism and the violence that has now erupted.
  In our hearing, Barry Borgen told the committee about attacks on his 
son in New York City. Joseph Borgen was targeted simply for wearing his 
yarmulke and was beaten by several individuals for nothing other than 
being recognized as an observant Jew. He was kicked, punched, hit, and, 
in fact, pepper sprayed by his attackers in a horrific attack simply 
because of his faith.
  At this time around the world, we see the rise of anti-Semitism. 
America for more than half a century, for almost a century, has become 
the beacon of freedom for the world. In that time, we have had to show 
the world that anti-Semitism has no place in America and should have no 
place in the rest of the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, recognizing 
Jewish American Heritage Month and the important contributions that 
Jewish Americans have made to our history, our society, and our 
culture. I thank Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz for introducing this 
resolution and for her tireless work on this topic.
  We, in the House of Representatives, have been marking Jewish 
American Heritage Month since 2005. Of course, Jewish contributions to 
the mosaic of the United States began centuries ago.

[[Page H2659]]

In fact, the Jewish-American community dates back to the mid-17th 
century when 23 Jews fleeing the Portuguese Inquisition found refuge in 
what we now call New York City in 1654.
  Jewish families have put down roots across this country, and 
thousands and thousands more have crossed oceans to seek security, 
freedom, and religious liberty. That small Jewish community, which 
began with 23 individuals fleeing the inquisition, has grown into more 
than 6 million people. Jewish Americans have become part of the central 
fabric of the United States.
  As the most senior Jewish Member of Congress, I am proud to represent 
a district with one of the largest Jewish communities in the United 
States and one that is home to so many historic Jewish institutions 
that represent the rich diversity of this community. This includes 
Congregation Shearith Israel, which was founded by those 23 Jews in 
1654, as well as the first Reconstructionist synagogue, the Society for 
the Advancement of Judaism, which hosted the first bat mitzvah in the 
United States and the first Ashkenazic synagogue in the United States, 
Congregation B'Nai Jeshurun, which split off from Shearith Israel in 
1829.
  This May, during Jewish American Heritage Month, while we celebrate 
that history and the contributions of Jewish Americans, we also 
recommit ourselves to fighting anti-Semitism in all its forms.
  Anti-Semitism is not a new presence in our society. It is a scourge 
that has plagued Jewish communities around the world for millennia. 
Still, the harrowing recent uptick in anti-Semitic attacks across the 
country means that we must redouble our efforts to combat this hatred.
  I applaud the White House for developing the first-ever National 
Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which was released just last week. 
This historic effort includes concrete steps that we can all take, 
including civil society, local government, Congress, and the executive 
branch, to bring to life the priorities brought forth by this strategy.
  This month and every month, we fight against anti-Semitism and 
celebrate the countless contributions made by Jewish Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I want to associate myself with the ranking member's statements. I 
have served, as long as I have served, with the gentleman from New 
York. Mr. Nadler has been a leader on this, and this is a bipartisan 
issue, one that each year we are honored to come before this Congress 
and renew our statement of solidarity with this community that has, in 
fact, as the gentleman said, grown in numbers, mostly because they have 
been persecuted around the world.
  This year is no exception. As we speak, the President of Ukraine is 
being called a Nazi in order to diminish who he is and his faith. It is 
only in this kind of a world where you can use terms like that as a 
Russian head of state in order to try to diminish somebody duly 
elected.
  As I said in my opening statement--and I will say it again and again 
every chance I get--if America does not lead in crushing anti-Semitism 
and denouncing it, the rest of the world will take it as it is okay to 
do. We cannot ever again allow what we saw in World War II. We cannot 
ever again turn a blind eye to the growth of anti-Semitism here or 
around the world. I stand with my colleague from New York in saying 
that is more essential this year than ever before.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the chief sponsor of this legislation.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York for yielding and his support of the resolution, along with his 
decades of work supporting the Jewish-American community.
  Before I speak on this resolution, Mr. Speaker, I am compelled to 
mention the tragic shooting that took place in my district last night 
in Hollywood Beach. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, 
and everyone affected by this tragic act of gun violence.
  I thank Mayor Josh Levy, the first responders, dispatchers, hospital 
staff, and local leaders that are working around the clock to take care 
of their community. We wish the speediest of recoveries to all of those 
injured.
  Tonight, I rise in strong support of my resolution to properly 
recognize Jewish American Heritage Month and condemn the rising scourge 
of anti-Semitism that Jewish Americans face. It is also not lost on me 
that today marks the first day of the trial for the domestic terrorist 
alleged to have carried out the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Our 
hearts are with the victims, their families, and the entire Pittsburgh 
community today.
  I am not sure there are words that could encapsulate the pride that I 
have for this year's historic Jewish American Heritage Month. For the 
first time, the House and the Senate will both mark Jewish American 
Heritage Month, or by its nickname JAHM, by considering and passing 
bipartisan resolutions with the support of House Members and Senators 
from across the country.
  In 2005, during my first term in office, I introduced the legislation 
that passed the House, and with the assistance of the late Arlen 
Specter in the Senate, urging then-President Bush to proclaim the 
national observation of a month recognizing Jewish Americans' 
contributions to the rich tapestry that comprises diversity that makes 
our Nation truly great.
  Since 2006, each May, every President, including Presidents Bush, 
Obama, Trump, and Biden, have issued JAHM proclamations.
  While this month is a time of celebration, we must also never forget 
that JAHM is a critical tool in countering anti-Semitism. The FBI 
reports that even though Jewish Americans account for only a little 
over 2 percent of the population in the United States, they are victims 
of 63 percent of reported religiously motivated hate crimes.
  In addition, the Anti-Defamation League's Audit of Antisemitic 
Incidents in 2022 tracked 3,697 anti-Semitic incidents in the United 
States, representing a 36 percent increase from 2021 and the largest 
number on record since the ADL began tracking anti-Semitic incidents in 
1979.
  However, one of the most effective ways to combat anti-Semitism is 
through education and awareness, which is a paramount reason why JAHM 
is so important; so much so that the Biden administration recently 
released the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, 
which specifically directs Federal agencies to organize and participate 
in Jewish American Heritage Month events and calls on State and local 
leaders to use JAHM to raise awareness of anti-Semitism while 
celebrating the contributions and impact of Jewish Americans on our 
society.
  We need Jews and non-Jews alike to learn about all the remarkable 
Jewish Americans who served in government or the military, or those who 
won Nobel Prizes, led universities and corporations, or made lifesaving 
medical discoveries.
  Unfortunately, it is not widely known that so many significant 
contributions to American success were led by Jewish Americans. In 
fact, due to our small numbers, there are still pockets of this country 
where some Americans have never met a Jewish person. I have witnessed 
that here in this building with some of our colleagues representing 
districts with either no or few Jewish Americans. That is why I have 
encouraged my colleagues and community leaders at large to embrace JAHM 
as a chance to share stories and host events or conversations in your 
own districts and communities.
  I hope that each year, JAHM continues to grow to become a widely 
celebrated heritage month, joining the ranks of the other rightfully 
important heritage months that highlight our strengths and diversity.
  America would not be what it is today, or what it someday can be, 
without such a rich mosaic of people. No other nation has that.
  While this resolution will not stop hate or anti-Semitism in its 
tracks, it uses the full voice of Congress to say that there is more 
that unites us than divides us. It says that whether your culture or 
religion makes up 20 percent or 2 percent of the population, you belong 
and should be safe here. It says 

[[Page H2660]]

hate will have no space here, no matter who it targets.

  I know that the concept of JAHM and the anti-hate messages it 
represents are worthy of this House's support.
  In closing, I would be remiss if I did not thank my co-leads on this 
resolution, Congressman Kustoff of Tennessee, the distinguished 
Democratic leader, Mr. Jeffries of New York, and Congressman 
Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.
  I also thank Majority Leader Scalise, Democratic Whip Clark, 
Judiciary Committee Chairman Jordan, and Ranking Member Nadler, as well 
as their staff, and especially my staff, for their work to bring this 
timely resolution to the floor during Jewish American Heritage Month.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this important resolution.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Manning).
  Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York, 
Ranking Member Nadler, for yielding and for his leadership.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 382, an 
important bipartisan resolution condemning the rise of anti-Semitism 
and highlighting the importance of Jewish-American heritage.
  I start by recognizing my friend, Representative Debbie Wasserman 
Schultz, the author of this resolution, for her leadership in making 
Jewish American Heritage Month a reality and in leading so many efforts 
to stand up for the Jewish community and speak out against anti-
Semitism. I am proud to join her and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick 
and   David Kustoff, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and many others, as an 
original cosponsor of this legislation.

                              {time}  1730

  Mr. Speaker, this month is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to 
recognize and celebrate American Jews and their many important 
contributions to our society.
  For centuries, since the first arrival of Jews in 1654, Jewish 
Americans have enriched communities in every part of our country, 
forming an indelible part of our national fabric. Jews have contributed 
to every facet of American life, from science and medicine to 
education, business, technology, music, theater, art, sports, 
philanthropy, the labor movement, the fight for civil rights, and the 
pursuit of justice.
  The history of the Jews, time and time again, has been about 
resilience and achievement in the face of adversity.
  It is deeply meaningful for us to have a month dedicated to telling 
the rich and remarkable story of the American Jewish experience.
  Yet, as we celebrate the contribution of Jews to America, we cannot 
ignore the alarming rise of anti-Semitism here in the United States and 
around the world. According to the FBI, anti-Semitic hate crimes rose 
by nearly 20 percent in 2021. The data also shows that Jews are the 
single leading targets of religiously motivated hate crimes in this 
country.
  It is clear that we need a better, stronger, and national-level 
commitment to counter this steep rise in anti-Semitism.
  That is why, last year, more than 125 members of the House and Senate 
Bipartisan Task Forces For Combating Anti-Semitism, which I am proud to 
co-chair, signed a letter to President Biden calling for a unified 
national strategy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.
  Last week, the White House did just that, releasing the first-ever 
``United States National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism,'' a truly 
comprehensive, whole-of-society effort to combat hatred of Jews.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina.
  Ms. MANNING. This important plan recognizes that we all have a role 
in this fight. It highlights the importance of raising awareness and 
understanding of anti-Semitism. It requires education both inside and 
outside the classroom and the workplace. It calls on Members of 
Congress individually and in a bipartisan group to speak continually 
about the evils of anti-Semitism and to share this message with our 
constituents.
  I am committed to working with my colleagues to further combat anti-
Semitism and other forms of hate which threaten our values and the 
foundation of our democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank all of those who helped us be able to recognize 
Jewish American Heritage Month, and I urge my colleagues to join in 
supporting this important legislation.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, much will be said on this floor today about anti-
Semitism, and it should be, but let us not fail to expand the 
deliberation on why we have a Jewish American Heritage Month. We don't 
just have it to combat anti-Semitism. We have it as an awareness of the 
great contribution that the Jewish community has given to this country 
from before its birth through today in education and culture, and of 
that culture, how much the American people do not know about the 
richness of the family traditions and the like that the Jewish 
community brings to us.
  It is often said, maybe just in passing, that we are a Judeo-
Christian society, but many people miss that that small minority 
represents a great part of who we are as a nation.
  As we observe this month, we need to observe this month recognizing 
the amazing contribution that, as Representative Debbie Wasserman 
Schultz said, we, in fact, are talking about 2 percent of the 
population who does far more than you would begin to believe 2 percent 
can do, Mr. Speaker.
  I want to make sure that we all understand that the importance of 
this month is the importance of the contribution of this community to 
our society for over 200 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Landsman).
  Mr. LANDSMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 382, 
condemning the rise of antisemitism and calling on elected officials to 
identify and educate others on the contributions of the Jewish American 
community. I also thank my colleague, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, for her 
leadership on this and many other issues.
  As a member of the Jewish community, this is deeply personal for me 
and my family. Like all parents, I want my children to be safe no 
matter where they go. I also want them and their culture, their 
Jewishness, to be understood and appreciated by others.
  Unfortunately, we are not there yet. Last year, an individual in our 
community, who went by the name ``Paleface'' online, was arrested just 
moments after he announced that he would soon drive with his many 
assault weapons to local synagogues to kill as many Jews as he could. 
He was, fortunately, stopped.
  I am also the Representative of the First Congressional District in 
Ohio, which is home to the city of Cincinnati and the Nancy and David 
Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center, which is dedicated to the work of 
this resolution: providing learning experiences that touch hearts and 
change minds. It was founded by local Holocaust survivors, and it is 
committed to education that inspires action, not only in Cincinnati, 
but around the entire Nation.
  I want to lift up the Holocaust and Humanity Center and Cincinnati 
and encourage my colleagues to seek them out to identify and educate 
others on the contributions of the Jewish-American community and to end 
anti-Semitism now and forever.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens).
  Ms. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the very significant 
resolution of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), one 
of our leaders in the Congress, calling on elected officials to 
identify and educate others on the contributions of the Jewish 
community as we condemn the rise of anti-Semitism.
  History's oldest hatred is on the rise. Synagogues, children, and 
neighborhoods are being targeted.
  This is tragically and palpably present in Oakland County, Michigan.

[[Page H2661]]

At the end of last year, when I gathered at the menorah lighting in 
Detroit, lovingly known as Menorah in the D, we gathered to call for 
our love of neighbors, to call for our love of the Jewish community, 
and to call on the Jewish community to say: Be proud of who you are.
  That is exactly what this resolution accomplishes: celebrating Jewish 
heritage just as we call out the evils of anti-Semitism.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider).
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, the first Jews arrived in New York in 
1654. This month, we honor the innumerable contributions and storied 
history of Jewish Americans.
  I rise today in support of H. Res. 382, honoring Jewish American 
Heritage Month. I thank my colleagues--my dear friend Debbie Wasserman 
Schultz, Brian Fitzpatrick, Leader Hakeem Jeffries,   David Kustoff, 
Jerry Nadler, and so many others--who join in making this resolution 
possible.
  Back before we had even gained our independence from England, Jewish 
Americans like Haym Salomon were financing our American Revolution and 
saving our young Nation from economic collapse. American heroes like 
Hyman Rickover gave birth to America's nuclear Navy.
  Jews are active in every aspect of American life, with contributions 
in the military, STEM, law, medicine, and entertainment. Jews are fully 
part of the American story, and the American story is fully interwoven 
into our identities as Jews.
  For more than 350 years, Jews have found refuge and welcome in 
America. Sadly, we have also seen periods of anti-Semitism, and, today, 
at this moment, anti-Semitism is on the rise across the country. From 
verbal assaults to physical attacks, Jews are facing scary and 
difficult moments. Even in communities without Jews, anti-Semitism is 
raising its head.
  That is why I am so grateful and proud that this month President 
Biden's White House put out the whole-of-society strategy to fight 
anti-Semitism.
  Standing up to the rising tide of hate is one essential step to 
putting America back together again. Together, I know we can stamp out 
anti-Semitism, and together this month, I am proud that we are 
celebrating Jewish-American heritage.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the distinguished 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green).
  Mr. GREEN of Texas. And still I rise, Mr. Speaker, proud to support 
H. Res. 382, with its clarion call to condemn and combat all acts of 
anti-Semitism. I do so, Mr. Speaker, because those who tolerate anti-
Semitism perpetuate anti-Semitism and racism, just as those who 
tolerate racism perpetuate it.
  Mr. Speaker, I will neither tolerate nor will I perpetuate either.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. NADLER. Mr. Speaker, during Jewish American Heritage Month, we 
celebrate the rich history and many contributions of Jewish Americans. 
We also recognize that anti-Semitism continues to be a scourge on our 
society that we must combat in all its forms.
  I thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz) for 
bringing forward this important resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, this should be the kind of resolution that would be a 
given, but it is never a given until you say it and say it and say it 
again.
  We say--and we must say--``never again'' about the Holocaust, but we 
also must say that anti-Semitism has no place in this great country of 
freedom.
  Mr. Speaker, you cannot have freedom of religion unless you have 
freedom of all religions, and freedom of religion isn't simply that I 
can practice my religion and denounce the other or that I can have 
slurs about the other. Religious freedom is the acceptance that we have 
a God or the right to not have a God, and in so doing, we must accept 
the other person's limited changes.
  There is so little difference between the beliefs of the Jewish 
community and the beliefs of all of America that those differences 
should unite us in their smallness rather than divide us.
  America, like every country in the world, needs to get to know its 
neighbor. This is the month in which we get to know our neighbor.
  Mr. Speaker, if you are fortunate enough to have a Jewish neighbor or 
a Jewish friend or someone who can help you understand the richness of 
their culture and their religion, then you are very fortunate. If you 
are not, then you need to seek one out.
  That is why we are doing this here today, because it doesn't happen 
without being said and said again. We say, one last time, never again 
to anti-Semitism in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge support for this resolution, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 382 the 
Recognizing of the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month as a 
time to celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans to the society 
and culture of the United States.
  This resolution condemns the rise of antisemitism and calls on 
elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to condemn 
and combat antisemitism, and to identify and educate others on the 
contributions of the Jewish American community.
  The passage of this legislation is essential for people in my home 
state of Texas and the constituents of the 18th Congressional District.
  2022 was one of the worst years to date when it comes to recorded 
incidents of hate toward the Jewish community.
  There were around 3,700 reported incidents towards individuals.
  73 of those reports were in the southwest region and more than half 
of those reports were in Houston alone.
  Earlier this year two neighborhoods in northeast Harris County were 
littered with hundreds of racist and antisemitic flyers.
  H. Res. 382 will help to spread awareness about the hateful acts of 
antisemitism and to spread recognition of the importance of Jewish 
American Heritage Month.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 382, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________