Celebrating the First Jewish American Heritage Month

CELEBRATING THE FIRST JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH -- (Extensions of Remarks - May 19, 2006)

* Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in solidarity with Jewish Americans from Maine to Hawaii to celebrate the designation of this May as the first ever Jewish American Heritage Month.

* On Thursday April 20th, President Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month. I was a proud cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 315 when it unanimously passed the House of Representatives on December 15th, 2005, urging the President to do just that. Now for the first time there will be a national month recognizing the 352-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture.

* As a first generation Jewish American, I have witnessed firsthand Jewish immigrants who have come to this Nation in order to create a better life for themselves, their families, and future generations. Since the first Jews settled here over 300 years ago, Jewish Americans have made endless contributions to our country through technology, the economy, entertainment, academia, politics, art, medicine, military service, and more. Like other important immigrant communities, the Jewish experience in the United States represents the ideal of freedom and the promise and opportunity of America.

* Through educational programming, Jewish American History Month will help raise the awareness of a people, their history and contributions. It will help combat anti-Semitism, a phenomenon that is on the rise and that unfortunately still exists in our Nation. At no time in recent history has the need for this observance been greater. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) most recent Hate Crimes Statistics, 67.8 percent of criminal incidents motivated by religions bias stemmed from anti-Jewish prejudice.

* The 1essons from the Holocaust have taught Jewish Americans that we must never turn a blind eye to terror or discrimination. It is necessary to combat hate wherever it exists. As a Jew I cannot sit idle while genocidal atrocities continue to unfold in Darfur, Sudan. I was proud to witness American Jewish organizations found the Save Darfur Coalition in June 2004 to mobilize a coordinated interfaith response to the ongoing humanitarian disaster. I hope every American will lend their support to this critical effort.

* I look forward to the celebrations that will take place each May for years to come and I encourage everyone to help make this inaugural year's observance memorable by developing educational and celebratory programs in your communities.

* And I wish you a happy Jewish American Heritage Month.

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