THE WORD IS JEW or in this case JEWS

"In any discussion of the problems in our world today, racism must rank high. Not because we are soft-minded liberals obsessed with countless crimes throughout history induced by colour, religion, tribalism or chauvinism of one kind or another. But because the poison which we hoped and believed had been eradicated in our own time by the knowledge of the ultimate evil- the gas-chamber murders committed by the Nazis--is in fact still present, not in any one area of discrimination or racism, or in a restricted number of specific rulers or governments, but in all humankind. I call it "Inner Racism."-

Gitta Sereny, "The Healing Wound"

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

THE WORD IS JEW or in this case JEWS

I know, I know, I have often been reproached for being a rather grumpy and annoyingly impetuous old fart but then again thats why I invented blogging (I was blogging way long before Al Gore invented the Internet Machine). On occasion we have perused our nation's lawmakers in their daily posturings as recorded in "the Record" and have been always surprised whenever we come across a truly awful or inspiring bit of verbiage that sort of transcended the commonplace of their petty politicking; and then there are the moments -if you will-

that leave us despondently disappointed. We found ourselves thus this morn when we came across Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's comments anent the 70th(!) anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. I know Rep. Lee - who hails from Queens, NY as yours truly - and now is an outstanding representative from the Houston area - was only expressing how she saw the heartfelt significance of the day. In attempting a sort of unified field theory on atrocity and suffering she, unfortunately, left out much. And to a similar extent so did her fellow representative from Texas, Marc Veasey, whose words were a little awkward to bear but I bet he too spoke with heartfelt consideration . To commemorate such an event as this taking place at such a place and, yet, to leave out of one's remarks, however well-intended, the word Jews, is benumbing at best. As for Rep. Lee's sloppy terminology and regrettable mutuality I feel that I, if I were to go too strongly into this right now, would perhaps be doing more harm than good. It is sufficient-in these times-to, hopefully, bring these thoughts to someone's kind attention. SPEECH OF HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE OF TEXAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp.

It is fitting today to remember those who experienced the depth of human cruelty in that camp and all other Nazi concentration camps.

It is estimated that over one million prisoners perished at the Auschwitz concentration camp over the five years that it was operational.

I grieve for those lost souls, but I give thanks for the 7,500 prisoners who were liberated 70 years ago today.

The stories of those survivors ensure that we remain vigilant and dedicated to combating hatred and oppression in all its forms.

For that reason, I would also like to bring attention to the ongoing massacres and human rights violations being carried out by the militant terrorist organization Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Just like the actions of the Nazis during World War II, the actions of Boko Haram today are an affront to human life and dignity.

From their first violent uprising in 2009, to the massacre in Baga less than one month ago, Boko Haram has been waging a war that has cost an estimated 10,000 lives, and displaced more than one million people.

I thank Secretary Kerry for his active role in supporting the Nigerians in their efforts to combat Boko Haram.

I also thank the United States military, for providing the Nigerian military with trainers and specialists to aid them.

But there needs to be more.

These atrocities must not be permitted to continue, and we must do everything within our power to stop the kidnapping and killing of innocent men, women, and children across Nigeria.

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE -- (House of Representatives - January 27, 2015)

[Page: H621]  GPO's PDF
---

(Mr. VEASEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. VEASEY. Mr. Speaker, ``Work makes you free.''

Today, I was thinking about that sign and about the psychological impact and the sadness that it must have had on millions of Holocaust survivors and on victims of the Holocaust as they walked into the concentration camps 70 years ago in Auschwitz and saw that sign, knowing they would never make it out free.

I rise today

in remembrance of the 10th anniversary of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

On this day, we must take a moment to honor the memory of the millions who lost their lives and of those who survived but experienced unspeakable horrors. We must always remember the tragedy of the Holocaust in order to ensure that this dark time in human history is never repeated. Injustices and violence against any person because of one's faith, race, or ethnic background should never be tolerated. Today and every day, we must honor the memory of the Holocaust victims and ensure we renew our commitment to ``never again.''

 AND TWO YEARS LATER:

 INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Ms. JACKSON LEE:

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, for anchoring this Special Order and rise to remember and mourn the millions of souls lost in the Holocaust, the worst instance of man's inhumanity to man in human history.

Nearly 72 years have passed since the end of World War II but for those who survived, and the descendants and relatives of those who perished, the Holocaust is not ancient history but a reminder of the evil that can be unleased when humans give into their worst instincts and appetites. The Holocaust's magnitude of destruction numbered more than 12 million deaths, including 6 million Jews and 1.5 million children (more than 2/3 of European Jewry), and the ramifications of prejudice, racism and stereotyping on a society.

A haunting quote in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum refers to the story of Cain and Abel: The Lord said, ``What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground (Genesis 4:11).

The Holocaust forces us to confront uncomfortable questions such as the responsibilities of citizenship and the consequences of indifference and inaction, and the importance of education and awareness. The Holocaust is a testament to the fragility of democracy. We must resolve to resist prejudice and intolerance in any form. It fills me with grief to know that the leaders of nations can destroy their own, as did the Nazi regime. Yet I hope that we can continue to strengthen the means by which we can pursue justice.

And I am saddened, outraged, and embarrassed that the current President of the United States could think it appropriate to issue a statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day that fails to make any mention of the defining crime of the 20th Century, the murder of 6 million persons for no reason other than they were Jews. But the vast majority of Americans remember and are united in this prayer and promise: Never Again. Thank you, Congresswoman Kaptur, for holding this important special order.

I include in the Record the following statement from the President regarding International Holocaust Remembrance Day: The White House Office of the Press Secretary [For Immediate Release--January 27, 2017] Statement by the President on International Holocaust Remembrance Day It is with a heavy heart and somber mind that we remember and honor the victims, survivors, heroes of the Holocaust. It is impossible to fully fathom the depravity and horror inflicted on innocent people by Nazi terror. Yet, we know that in the darkest hours of humanity, light shines the brightest.

As we remember those who died, we are deeply grateful to those who risked their lives to save the innocent. In the name of the perished, I pledge to do everything in my power throughout my Presidency, and my life, to ensure that the forces of evil never again defeat the powers of good. Together, we will make love and tolerance prevalent throughout the world. ____________________

The White House

                     Office of the Press Secretary

               [For Immediate Release--January 27, 2017]


 Statement by the President on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

       It is with a heavy heart and somber mind that we remember 
     and honor the victims, survivors, heroes of the Holocaust. It 
     is impossible to fully fathom the depravity and horror 
     inflicted on innocent people by Nazi terror.
       Yet, we know that in the darkest hours of humanity, light 
     shines the brightest. As we remember those who died, we are 
     deeply grateful to those who risked their lives to save the 
     innocent.
       In the name of the perished, I pledge to do everything in 
     my power throughout my Presidency, and my life, to ensure 
     that the forces of evil never again defeat the powers of 
     good. Together, we will make love and tolerance prevalent 
     throughout the world.

                          ____________________