[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, it is an honor to join my colleagues in 
observing the third annual Jewish American Heritage Month, JAHM, which 
takes place over the entire month of May.
  As you know, Jewish American Heritage Month allows us to annually 
recognize the historic contributions of the Jewish community to our 
Nation. The Jewish community has a rich history in the growth of 
America as we know it today, dating back nearly four centuries to the 
founding of our country, and it is essential that Congress along with 
local and State officials work together to promote greater awareness 
about the contributions of this multifaceted group of people to the 
fabric of America.
  While American Jews make up only a small percentage of our Nation's 
population, their contributions have been significant in a number of 
arenas including technology, literature, entertainment, politics, and 
medicine, as well as many other parts of our society and culture. In 
celebration of these contributions, communities across the Nation--
including many in South Florida, which I am privileged to represent--
have scheduled creative programming and discussion to honor these great 
Jewish Americans who have helped build this Nation.
  The programming, which will take places across the country, will also 
provide an important platform for the discussion of Judaism and Jewish 
culture in areas of our Nation where Americans have had little or no 
interaction with members of the Jewish community. Given that anti-
Semitism unfortunately remains prevalent throughout the country, it is 
more important than ever that we work to break down barriers and 
address ignorance and intolerance, which too often leads to anti-
Semitism, xenophobia, and hate.
  I am proud to stand with the American Jewish Community during the 
month of May to highlight past achievements and the ongoing 
contributions of a community that cares deeply about the well-being and 
future of this Nation. I urge all of my colleagues as well as the 
American people to join me in recognizing the myriad of contributions 
of the American Jewish community throughout this month and to take 
concrete steps to observe JAHM.

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