[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE CHILDREN OF CONGREGATION SHIR SHALOM OF SONOMA, 
                               CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 18, 2005

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
the children of Congregation Shir Shalom in Sonoma, California, who are 
deeply concerned about the tragedy taking place in Darfur, Sudan. These 
children recognize that the world cannot stand by while whole 
populations are slaughtered because of their race or religious beliefs. 
In the children's own words:

       We are Jewish children at Congregation Shir Shalom in 
     Sonoma, California, who have learned about tikkun olam, about 
     making the world a better place. We have learned that Jews 
     cannot be just for ourselves. We must be for others, too.
       In our synagogue's school, we have learned there are other 
     children we do not know, but who are living in danger in 
     Darfur, Sudan. We know that bandits and other bad people are 
     killing them and their families. Many people have died in 
     Darfur, including many children. Also, children in Darfur and 
     their mothers and fathers have had their things stolen from 
     them. Because of all this millions have run away from their 
     homes in Darfur.
       As Jewish children, we know about the Holocaust, when Jews 
     were killed just for being Jews. We know that there are 
     people in Darfur who are now being killed just for being who 
     they are.
       Knowing this, we know we cannot stand by and let it happen. 
     We know we are only children, so we need the help of grown-
     ups in our city, our state, and national governments to take 
     action to protect the children in Darfur and their families.
       We ask our government to make it safe for families living 
     in Darfur. We ask for bandits and other bad people to be 
     stopped from robbing and killing the children, women, and men 
     living in Darfur. That way maybe all the food that is being 
     sent to the people in Darfur might get through. Books might 
     get through, too, and then children in Darfur can get to go 
     to school like we do.
       We ask all this because we are all human, and it is 
     important to not just think of ourselves. It is important to 
     make the world a better place for children like us who just 
     want peace and maybe a chance to play and have fun like we 
     can do in Sonoma, California.
       Please listen to what we are asking and do what you can do 
     to help those living in Darfur, Sudan have a chance to be 
     happy.

  Mr. Speaker, these words are profound and they will echo through 
history. We owe it to the children of Congregation Shir Shalom and to 
the children of Darfur to do everything in our power to resolve this 
grave humanitarian crisis.

                          ____________________