[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 7]
[House]
[Page 9978]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING CONGREGATION MICKVE ISRAEL

  (Mr. CARTER of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
Congregation Mickve Israel in Savannah, Georgia, as it celebrates its 
incredible 284th anniversary on July 11, 2017.
  Just 5 months after General James Oglethorpe settled the colony, 
Jewish settlers fleeing persecution in Europe arrived in Georgia. They 
sought refuge in Savannah, where they were free to practice their 
beliefs. This brave group soon founded the Congregation Mickve Israel.
  Predating our country by several decades as the first congregation in 
the South, Mickve Israel set an important precedent for the Jewish 
people. As such, wars, plagues, and religious struggles each challenged 
the congregation over the years, yet Mickve Israel has withstood the 
test of time. It continues to be a beacon for the faithful and now 
welcomes 380 families inside its walls.
  The story of Mickve Israel is special to the people and has been 
recognized for its achievement since its early years. President George 
Washington sent a personal letter to the congregation to honor its 
members and wish them well.
  Since then, numerous Presidents over the years have made similar 
gestures, each one acknowledging the congregation's longevity and 
importance to the Jewish community.
  I would also like to acknowledge the congregation's importance and 
congratulate Congregation Mickve Israel in reaching this impressive 
milestone. I know this religious community will continue to serve a 
caring, faithful, and integral role in Savannah, Georgia.

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