[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15092-15094]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING HILLEL FOUNDATION

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 493) recognizing the significant contributions of 
Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus 
communities in the United States and around the world.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 493

       Whereas Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life was 
     founded at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 
     1923 and has become the world's largest Jewish campus 
     organization, serving Jewish college students on over 500 
     campuses across the globe;
       Whereas Hillel has been an important partner to 
     universities by providing resources, programs, and other 
     forms of support to the entire campus community;
       Whereas Hillel has been at the forefront of breaking down 
     discriminatory barriers to students of all backgrounds on 
     college campuses for 85 years;
       Whereas Hillel has contributed to the Nation's preeminence 
     in science, industry, and the humanities by helping 
     generations of students attain the dream of higher education;
       Whereas Hillel has contributed to United States history by 
     providing armed service personnel with counseling prior to 
     World War II, welcoming GIs back to campus following the war, 
     and sponsoring European refugees on campuses during and after 
     the war, including the late Chairman of the House Foreign 
     Affairs Committee Tom Lantos;
       Whereas Hillel has educated students about American values 
     and has helped them to provide leadership for social justice 
     causes, including the civil rights movement, the campaign to 
     free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the genocide in Darfur, 
     and the promotion of AIDS Awareness and interfaith 
     understanding;
       Whereas Hillel has been at the forefront of educating 
     campuses about Israel, an ally of the United States;
       Whereas Hillel has helped to provide students with the 
     tools to combat anti-Semitism on campus; and
       Whereas Hillel continues to contribute enormously to civil 
     society by providing service-learning opportunities for 
     thousands of students in the United States and abroad: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports Hillel's mission of service to Jewish college 
     students and partnership with the campus community; and
       (2) congratulates the students, lay leaders, and 
     professionals of the Hillel movement on reaching its 
     milestone 85th birthday.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from the 
Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) and the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Mrs. McMorris Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which 
Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 
493 into the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significant contributions 
that Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life has made towards 
colleges and universities around the United States.
  Hillel began as an organization 85 years ago at the University of 
Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Benjamin Frankel developed the organization 
as an opportunity for Jewish students to affirm their heritage during a 
time of anti-Semitism. The advent of World War II, and the horror of 
the Holocaust, only further justified the need for Hillel as a campus 
organization.
  During the war, Hillel counseled soldiers, welcomed GIs back to 
campus, and sponsored European refugees. One of these refugees was the 
late chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos.
  Today Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. 
Hillel's mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and 
graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the 
world. The organization helps students grow spiritually, 
intellectually, and socially throughout their college years. Hillel 
prepares thousands of young adults to enter the world upholding the 
important ideals of the Jewish faith.
  In addition to serving the Jewish community, Hillel serves as a 
beacon for social justice causes that extend far beyond the Jewish 
community. The organization champions civil rights, ending the genocide 
in Darfur, AIDS awareness, and interfaith dialogue and understanding. 
Hillel is also an important campus advocate for Israel, educating 
college students about their country's important relationship with 
Israel. Through these outreach and advocacy efforts, Hillel 
communicates to our Nation and the world the highest values of the 
Jewish community.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to take a moment and appreciate the 
contributions made by Hillel. I urge my colleagues to pass this 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 493, which 
would recognize the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation 
for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United 
States around the world.

[[Page 15093]]

  Hillel is a Jewish Campus Life organization that has provided support 
and education to Jewish and non-Jewish students around the world. It 
was originally named after a sage who moved from Babylonia to Palestine 
in the first century. His wisdom is the foundation upon which this 
organization was built.
  It was founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois Urbana-
Champaign. It provided support to Jewish students throughout the 
Depression, World War II, and the Holocaust. In 1988 Hillel was 
reorganized, adopted a new mission statement, and became the 
organization we recognize today.
  For 85 years, Hillel has supported Jewish expression and helped to 
break discriminatory barriers. Its mission is to enrich the lives of 
Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the 
Jewish people around the world. It provides resources to college 
students, including grants, educational peer-organized trips and Jewish 
content. It also educates non-Jewish students to help break down 
religious and cultural barriers. Hillel is open to any interested 
college student.
  Today, Hillel foundations are found in Israel, South America, and the 
former Soviet Republics. Affiliated organizations are found in 
Australia, Canada and Great Britain. Hillel students around the world 
connect Jewish people and understand Jewish life. Over 600 Hillel 
professionals are at work around the world engaging Jewish students.
  By engaging Jewish students and promoting understanding of non-Jewish 
students, Hillel has been in the forefront of combating anti-Semitism. 
In light of recent occurrences at the Holocaust Museum, we are reminded 
of how important organizations such as Hillel are. Organizations that 
encourage today's young people to understand each other and to fight 
discrimination are invaluable to future generations.
  I ask my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, does the gentlewoman from Washington have 
any further speakers?
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. I have no additional requests for time. I urge 
my colleagues to support the legislation, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from 
Washington also for her fine statement and support of H. Res. 493.
  I have no further speakers. I encourage our Members to support H. 
Res. 493.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. 
Res. 493, recognizing the significant contributions of Hillel: The 
Foundation for Jewish Campus Life on college campus communities in the 
United States and around the world. I would like to thank my colleague 
Congressman Klein for introducing this important resolution and for all 
of his work to celebrate Jewish life and fight anti-Semitism.
  This past weekend, Hillel marked its 85th anniversary. Every day, for 
the past 85 years, Hillel has worked to fulfill its mission of 
enriching the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students, 
helping them to become leaders in their communities.
  Founded at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1923 by 
Rabbi Benjamin Frankel, Hillel has grown to over 500 campuses around 
the world. Today, Hillel of Illinois is active on 17 campuses across 
the state, including three in my district alone, providing 
opportunities for Jewish students to explore their Jewish identity and 
create vibrant Jewish life on campuses.
  Hillel plays a critical role in encouraging students to be leaders in 
their communities, championing causes including human rights and social 
justice. Hillel students have been active on issues ranging from civil 
rights to freeing Soviet Jewry; from halting genocide in Darfur to 
promoting the U.S.-Israel relationship. Hillel provides students with 
the opportunity to engage in their communities and around the world.
  Today, 85 years after its founding, Hillel is the largest Jewish 
campus organization in the world. The organization has supported the 
broader Jewish community during times of trouble and tragedy and has 
celebrated the community's triumphs. For the past eight decades, Hillel 
has helped Jewish students connect with their history, culture, and 
identity at a crucial moment of self-discovery in their own lives.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to 
recognize Hillel on its 85th anniversary.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to urge the 
passage of H. Res. 493, which recognizes the significant contributions 
of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus 
communities in the United States and around the world. The Hillel 
program was founded at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 
1923 and has become the world's largest Jewish campus organization, 
serving Jewish college students on over 500 campuses worldwide. Since 
its inception, Hillel has been an important partner to universities by 
providing resources, programs, and other forms of support to the entire 
campus community. For over 80 years, Hillel has been at the forefront 
of breaking down discriminatory barriers to students of all backgrounds 
on college campuses. Hillel has sought to promote racial tolerance and 
equality, and for its accomplishments in this arena, Hillel should be 
recognized.
  Moreover, Hillel has been at the forefront in contributing to the 
Nation's achievements in science, industry, and the humanities by 
helping generations of students attain the dream of higher education. 
This incredible and multi-faceted program has made its mark on United 
States history by providing armed service personnel with counseling 
prior to World War II, welcoming GIs back to campus following the war, 
and sponsoring European refugees on campuses during and after the war, 
including the late Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom 
Lantos.
  In the realm of social justice issues, Hillel has educated students 
and has helped them to provide leadership for the civil rights 
movement, the campaign to free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the 
genocide in Darfur. As a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and 
Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, I have worked tirelessly to 
pass legislation that will halt the genocide in Darfur. The crimes 
being committed against the people of Sudan are unimaginable, and we 
must not for a moment forget that they are ongoing. This is an issue I 
hold near to me, and I commend Hillel for taking on this important and 
necessary reform.
  Hillel has continued to promote AIDS Awareness and interfaith 
understanding, and has been at the forefront of educating campuses 
about Israel, an ally of the United States. Such wide reaching tenets 
of social reform are to be commended, applauded and recognized. H. Res. 
493 achieves all three.
  In further promulgation of tolerance and respect, Hillel has helped 
to provide students with the tools to combat anti-Semitism on campus; 
and Hillel continues to contribute enormously to civil society by 
providing service-learning opportunities for thousands of students in 
the United States and abroad.
  I stand here today, as a supporter of Hillel's mission of service and 
education to Jewish college students and beyond, and as a partner with 
college campus communities, and I congratulate the students, lay 
leaders, and professionals who are part of the Hillel movement on 
reaching its milestone 85th birthday.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the passage of 
H. Res. 493, a resolution to honor the 85th anniversary of Hillel: the 
Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.
  I would like to thank Congressman Tim Johnson for co-authoring this 
resolution with me. Congressman Johnson's district is the home of the 
first Hillel, founded in 1923.
  As my colleagues know well, Hillel is the world's largest Jewish 
college campus organization, serving students on over 500 campuses 
around the world.
  Last night, with dozens of house parties and celebrations, Hillel 
celebrated its 85th anniversary.
  Hillel has been an important partner to universities by providing 
resources, programs and other forms of support to the entire campus 
community. Hillel members, professional staff and lay leaders have 
educated students about American values and have helped them to provide 
leadership for causes, including the civil rights movement, the 
campaign to free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the genocide in 
Darfur, and the promotion of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
  I would like to recognize Wayne Firestone, the President of Hillel, 
originally from South Florida and a University of Miami Hillel alumnus, 
for his tireless work on behalf of the many causes that Hillel students 
advance. I would also like to commend Josh Kram, originally from South 
Florida and a Hillel alumnus at the University of Florida, for helping 
to coordinate a successful birthday celebration.
  Hillel is an important institution that has provided numerous 
benefits to young people and their communities. It is only appropriate 
that on this anniversary, Congress recognize

[[Page 15094]]

Hillel's achievements in giving back to this country and the world.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. SABLAN. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from the Northern Mariana Islands (Mr. Sablan) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 493.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________