[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 117, 108th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY--350TH ANNIVERSARY
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Whereas in 1654, Jewish refugees from Brazil arrived on North American
shores and formally established North America's first Jewish
community in New Amsterdam, now New York City;

Whereas America welcomed Jews among the millions of immigrants that
streamed through our Nation's history;

Whereas the waves of Jewish immigrants arriving in America helped shape
our Nation;

Whereas the American Jewish community has been intimately involved in
our Nation's civic, social, economic, and cultural life;

Whereas the American Jewish community has sought to actualize the broad
principles of liberty and justice that are enshrined in the
Constitution of the United States;

Whereas the American Jewish community is an equal participant in the
religious life of our Nation;

Whereas American Jews have fought valiantly for the United States in
every one of our Nation's military struggles, from the American
Revolution to Operation Enduring Freedom;

Whereas not less than 16 American Jews have received the Medal of Honor;

Whereas 2004 marks the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish
community;

Whereas the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records
Administration, the American Jewish Historical Society, and the
Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives have
formed ``The Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of American
Jewish History'' (referred to in this resolution as the
``Commission'') to mark this historic milestone;

Whereas the Commission will use the combined resources of its
participants to promote the celebration of the Jewish experience in
the United States throughout 2004; and

Whereas the Commission is designating September 2004 as ``American
Jewish History Month'': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) honors and recognizes--
(A) the 350th anniversary of the American Jewish
community; and
(B) ``The Commission for Commemorating 350 Years of
American Jewish History'' and its efforts to plan,
coordinate, and execute commemorative events celebrating
350 years of American Jewish history;
(2) supports the designation of an ``American Jewish History
Month''; and
(3) urges all Americans to share in this commemoration so as
to have a greater appreciation of the role the American Jewish
community has had in helping to defend and further the liberties
and freedom of all Americans.

Agreed to November 21, 2003.


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117 STAT. 2967