PRINTER'S NO. 1325
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
280
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY COHEN, FRANKEL, BAKER, BARRAR, BROWNLEE,
CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, CUTLER, DAVIS, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI,
DRISCOLL, FARINA, FREEMAN, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE,
HARHART, HARKINS, J. HARRIS, HENNESSEY, KAUFER, KAVULICH,
KILLION, KIM, KIRKLAND, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, MAHONEY, MAJOR,
MARSICO, MATZIE, McCARTER, McNEILL, MILLARD, O'BRIEN,
O'NEILL, C. PARKER, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PETRI, PICKETT, RAPP,
READSHAW, ROZZI, SABATINA, SCHREIBER, SCHWEYER, SIMS,
TALLMAN, THOMAS, VEREB, WATSON, YOUNGBLOOD AND DeLUCA,
APRIL 21, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 21, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2015 as "Jewish American Heritage
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, On April 20, 2006, after congressional resolutions
introduced by Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida
and Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania urged the President to
recognize the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions
to American culture, President George W. Bush designated May as
"Jewish American History Month"; and
WHEREAS, President George Washington, who knew the importance
of Jewish contributions to the War for Independence, wrote in a
letter dated August 17, 1790, "May the children of the stock of
Abraham who dwell in the land continue to merit and enjoy the
goodwill of the other inhabitants. While everyone shall sit
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safely under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none
to make him afraid."; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina and Georgia
were first to eliminate barriers to voting and holding office
for Jewish citizens, steps which were further upheld in the Bill
of Rights of 1791; and
WHEREAS, There have been successive waves of Jewish
emigration to the United States, including people from Germany
during the 19th century, from Eastern Europe from 1880 through
1914 fleeing pogroms, from Europe after World War II who
survived the Holocaust, and, most recently, from the Soviet
Union after 1970, all bringing individuals with talent, skills
and drive who have enriched American culture; and
WHEREAS, The Library of Congress, National Archives and
Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities,
National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Pennsylvania Historical and
Museum Commission have joined in the 2015 efforts to pay tribute
to the generations of Jewish Americans who have helped form the
fabric of American history, culture and society, and resources
for celebration have been provided at
www.jewishheritagemonth.gov; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2015 as "Jewish American Heritage Month" in
Pennsylvania and encourage participation in national, State and
local observances celebrating the contributions of Jewish
Americans to life in the United States.
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