1Designating the month of May 2013 as "Jewish American Heritage
2Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, On April 20, 2006, after congressional resolutions
4introduced by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida
5and Senator Arlen Spector of Pennsylvania urged the President to
6recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions
7to American culture, President George W. Bush designated May as
8"Jewish American History Month"; and

9WHEREAS, President George Washington, who knew the importance
10of Jewish contributions to the War for Independence, wrote in a
11letter dated August 17, 1790, "May the children of the stock of
12Abraham who dwell in the land continue to merit and enjoy the
13goodwill of the other inhabitants. While everyone shall sit
14safely under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none

1to make him afraid."; and

2WHEREAS, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina and Georgia
3were first to eliminate barriers to voting and holding office
4for Jewish citizens, steps which were further upheld in the Bill
5of Rights of 1791; and

6WHEREAS, There have been successive waves of Jewish
7emigration to the United States, including people from Germany
8during the 19th century, from Eastern Europe from 1880 though
91914 fleeing pogroms, from Europe after World War II who
10survived the Holocaust, and, most recently, from the Soviet
11Union after 1970, all bringing individuals with talent, skills
12and drive who have enriched American culture; and

13WHEREAS, The Library of Congress, National Archives and
14Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities,
15National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, United States
16Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Pennsylvania Historical and
17Museum Commission have joined in the 2013 efforts to pay tribute
18to the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped form the
19fabric of American history, culture and society, and resources
20for celebration have been provided at
21www.jewishheritagemonth.gov; therefore be it

22RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
23month of May 2013 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in
24Pennsylvania and encourage participation in national, State and
25local observances celebrating the contributions of Jewish
26Americans to life in the United States.