[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Rules 
Committee be discharged from further consideration of S. Res. 546, and 
the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The clerk 
will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 546) recognizing the National Museum 
     of American Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian 
     Institution, as the only museum in the United States 
     dedicated exclusively to exploring and preserving the 
     American Jewish experience.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to 
reconsider be laid upon the table en bloc, and that any statements 
relating to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 546) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 546

       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History 
     serves to illustrate how the freedom present in the United 
     States and its associated choices, challenges, and 
     responsibilities fostered an environment in which Jewish 
     Americans have made and continue to make extraordinary 
     contributions in all facets of American life;
       Whereas the mission of the National Museum of American 
     Jewish History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, 
     is to connect Jewish people more closely to their heritage 
     and to inspire in individuals of all backgrounds a greater 
     appreciation for the diversity of the American experience and 
     the freedoms to which all Americans aspire;
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History was 
     founded in 1976 by members of the historic Congregation 
     Mikveh Israel, which was itself established in 1740 and known 
     as the ``Synagogue of the American Revolution'';
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History has 
     attracted a broad audience to its public programs, which 
     explore American Jewish identity through lectures, panel 
     discussions, authors' talks, films, activities for children, 
     theater, and music;
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History is 
     the repository of the largest collection of Jewish Americana 
     in the world, with more than 25,000 objects; and
       Whereas the National Museum of American Jewish History will 
     soon be relocated to a 100,000-square-foot, 5-story, state-
     of-the-art facility on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, 
     Pennsylvania, standing just steps from the Liberty Bell and 
     Independence Hall, which shall serve as a cornerstone of the 
     American Jewish community and a source of national pride: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) acknowledges the importance of the continuing study and 
     preservation of the unique American Jewish experience; and
       (2) recognizes the National Museum of American Jewish 
     History, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, as the 
     only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to 
     exploring and preserving the American Jewish experience and, 
     as such, designates it as the national museum of American 
     Jewish history.

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