[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21]
[House]
[Pages 28369-28371]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           URGING OBSERVANCE OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 315) urging the President to issue 
a proclamation for the observance of an American Jewish History Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 315

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress urges the President to issue each 
     year a proclamation calling on State and local governments 
     and the people of the United States to observe an American 
     Jewish History Month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
     and activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nevada (Mr. Porter) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 315.
  Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Nevada?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I stand in support of H. Con. Res. 315, which would 
urge the President to issue a proclamation for the observance of 
American Jewish History Month.
  The United States Jewish population has made many vital contributions 
in all areas of our society in such ways as helping to develop the 
cultural, scientific, political and economic life of our country. In 
fact, 37 percent of all

[[Page 28370]]

United States Nobel Prize winners in the 20th century have been 
representatives of the Jewish community.
  Jewish immigration in the 20th century was fueled by the Holocaust, 
which destroyed most of the European Jewish community. The migration 
made the United States the home of the largest Jewish population in the 
world. Starting at the beginning of this century, there was a Jewish 
population of about 1 million. By the end of the century, the 
population had grown to almost 6 million Jews residing in the United 
States of America.
  Presently, the Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American 
Jewish History has been brought about to encourage and sponsor a 
variety of historical activities that advance our understanding of the 
American Jewish experience as it marks this milestone anniversary. 
Through this initiative, the deep-rooted culture of the Jewish 
community in our society would be recognized and honored.
  I urge all Members to come together to support this initiative to 
educate and pay homage to the contributions and influence that the 
Jewish community has had on our country.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
Ms. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the sponsor of this legislation, be 
permitted to control the 20 minutes on our side.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, throughout the past year, the 350th anniversary of 
Jewish life in America has been marked by ceremonies and celebrations 
across the United States. As the festivities come to an end, Chairman 
Hyde and I would like to establish a formal recognition of American 
Jewish life by creating American Jewish History Month. This is why I 
have introduced a resolution calling for a Presidential Proclamation in 
order to create an executive order to designate the month of January as 
American Jewish History Month to be observed with appropriate programs, 
ceremonies and activities.
  To date, 252 of our esteemed colleagues have expressed support for 
American Jewish History Month. I wish to thank Chairman Hyde and Mr. 
Cantor for their continued support and assistance.
  American Jewish History Month would honor the contributions of 
American Jews to society. Additionally, creation of this month would 
celebrate the legacy of the American Jewish experience and the rich 
cultural heritage of American Jewish communities.
  Similar to Black History Month in February and Women's History Month 
in March, American Jewish History Month would present educators with 
the opportunity and tools to teach diversity and cultural awareness.
  As Congress continuously strives to promote understanding and 
awareness of the many cultures of American society, we believe 
education is a necessity to combat ignorance and misunderstanding. 
Though support for Jewish communities, Holocaust education and efforts 
to combat anti-Semitism is well-known in Congress, support among the 
American public is not as prevalent.
  Sadly, ignorance about Jews and our history, culture and 
contributions to American society remains widespread in the United 
States. This ignorance leads to hatred and bigotry, and one way to stop 
it is through education. As we all know, education leads to 
understanding.
  American Jewish History Month will educate millions of Americans 
about the rich cultural traditions of the Jewish people, whose 
contributions to medicine, the arts, science and technology have shaped 
the fabric of American society and global history.
  The previous debate demonstrates the need for more education and 
understanding of the traditions, beliefs and history of not just the 
Jewish communities but all minority religions in America. It is clear 
to me after listening to the proponents of the previous resolution that 
an American Jewish History Month would heighten the sensitivity of 
those who simply do not have enough information, exposure or tolerance 
for minority faiths.
  It is my hope that the next generation of Americans, from all faith 
traditions, will have their knowledge, tolerance and understanding 
heightened and enhanced by the creation of American Jewish History 
Month.
  I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the 252 Members of 
Congress from both sides of the aisle who have supported the efforts to 
establish a formal month. While the expression of the House's sentiment 
is meaningful, it is essential that the President formally create 
American Jewish History Month via executive order and put the full 
strength of the White House behind this effort so that we can enhance 
the education and understanding of Americans about Jewish cultural 
traditions.
  Additionally, I would like to thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Cantor), the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), Leader Pelosi, and 
Speaker Hastert for their support and steadfast commitment to helping 
to establish this month. It is my hope that in the future there will be 
a permanent American Jewish History Month in addition to a Presidential 
Proclamation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis).
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentlewoman 
from Florida for yielding me time.
  Madam Speaker, as a Member of the House Government Reform Committee, 
I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H. Con. Res. 315, 
a resolution sponsored by Representative Wasserman Schultz.
  H. Con. Res. 315, introduced today, urges the President to issue a 
proclamation for the observance of an American Jewish History Month. 
The first Jewish History Month was passed by Congress and was 
celebrated in September 2004.
  Observing American Jewish History Month allows us to commemorate the 
many contributions made by Jewish Americans in our society at large and 
in our local neighborhoods and communities. It also allows us the 
opportunity to better appreciate the journey many Jewish Americans have 
faced since they first landed at New Amsterdam, now Manhattan Island.
  Like many events in Jewish history, the arrival of 23 refugees from 
Brazil to the United States in 1654 was the result of a fortuitous 
occurrence. They were blown off course rather than a preplanned 
migration. Since that time, there has been an organized Jewish 
community in our country.
  Also, Madam Speaker, one could talk about the attributes and the 
achievements of Jewish people for the rest of the evening on an 
individualized basis, but I represent a community that has a large 
Jewish population. I am very proud of the relationships and the work 
that we have been able to do over the years with groups like the Jewish 
Council on Urban Affairs, which is headed up by a woman, Jane Ramsey, 
who is one of the most dedicated and committed people that I have ever 
met, and the Jewish Federation of Chicago, which provides resources for 
hospitals, for social service programs, opportunities to help those who 
are less fortunate.
  So I commend the gentlewoman from Florida for her introduction of 
this legislation and urge its passage.
  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  In conclusion, I want to thank again Speaker Hastert and Mr. Cantor 
from Virginia for their efforts to help us bring this resolution to the 
floor. I also want to thank Leader Pelosi and the rest of my colleagues 
for their assistance.
  I do want to recognize Speaker Hastert in particular, because he has

[[Page 28371]]

committed to personally contact the President to urge him to take this 
resolution and to go ahead and create the executive order. So I look 
forward to working with him towards that end.
  Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, again, I think one of the great things about America 
and the House floor is we are able to talk about our diverse country 
and the respect we have for the different organizations, different 
religions and different groups. Certainly this is another example of 
this House of Representatives recognizing a very, very important part 
of our culture and our country and our future.
  Again, I urge that all Members support the passage of this particular 
concurrent resolution.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am here today to urge 
President Bush to issue a proclamation for the observance of an 
American Jewish history month. I further urge all Americans to share in 
this commemoration to have a greater appreciation for the role the 
Jewish American community has had in helping to defend and further the 
liberties and freedom of all Americans.
  In 1654, Jewish refugees from Brazil arrived on North American shores 
and formally established North America's first Jewish community in New 
Amsterdam, now New York City. America welcomed Jews among the millions 
of immigrants that streamed through our Nation's gates. The waves of 
Jewish immigrants arriving in America helped shape our great Nation.
  Jewish immigration to America throughout the last 350 years brought 
with it legions of notable researchers, lawyers, statesmen, inventors, 
entertainers, artists, scientists, authors, musicians, doctors, 
ethicists, entrepreneurs and spiritual leaders--men and women who 
substantially transformed this nation and its urban communities.
  In this month of observance of American Jewish history, I think it is 
also important that we also focus on our country's relationship with 
Israel. Israel has been one of our strongest and most committed allies 
since its conception in 1948. For 50 years, the United States and 
Israel have worked closely to pursue peace in the Middle East. I 
strongly believe that the dream of peace and stability in the Middle 
East can become a reality within our lifetime.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution and urge President 
Bush to issue a proclamation for the observance of an American Jewish 
history month. A proclamation by the President will honor the 
contributions of American Jews throughout our nation's history, but 
also reiterate the continued importance of our taking an active role in 
the peace process in the Middle East. We have both an obligation and a 
vested interest in supporting Israel in its road to secure itself in 
peaceful, stable, and democratic region. I will leave you with a quote 
from one of the most famous Jewish American immigrants, Albert 
Einstein. He said ``He who cherishes the values of culture cannot fail 
to be a pacifist.'' Let's urge the President to reaffirm the value of 
the Jewish American Culture to the United States, and in doing so take 
one small step towards peace in the region.
  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Porter) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 315.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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