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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E35]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SPECIAL ENVOY TO MONITOR AND COMBAT ANTI-SEMITISM ACT
______
speech of
HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
221, the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2019,
important and bipartisan legislation that will ensure we continue
addressing anti-Semitism across the globe. I was proud to cosponsor
this bill last Congress, and I am proud to cosponsor it again this
year, in the hope that the Senate will this time act to send it to the
President for signature.
The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act would
elevate the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-
Semitism to the rank of Ambassador, reporting directly to the Secretary
of State; as the primary advisor and coordinator for U.S. government
efforts to monitor and combat Anti-Semitism and Anti-Semitic incitement
in foreign countries. In short, it will ensure that the United States
continues to play a leading role in combatting Anti-Semitism across the
globe.
We have seen a dramatic increase in anti-Semitism in recent years. It
is ugly. It is tragic. It must be addressed. High attacks like the one
at the Hyper Cacher kosher supermarket in Paris and the horrific
shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh captured the
world's attention and forced the issue into the international
spotlight. Other incidents, including the stabbing of Holocaust
survivor Mireille Knoll in Paris, the shattering of windows at the
HaCarmel kosher restaurant in Amsterdam, and countless other daily
occurrences of harassment or physical assaults against Jews do not
garner as much attention. Europe is facing a growing number of right-
wing, nationalist, extremist political movements, and across the globe,
the growing trend of anti-Semitism masked as anti-Zionism threatens
Jewish communities and delegitimizes the existence of Israel.
Those of us who have served on the U.S. Helsinki Commission have
taken efforts to combat anti-Semitism at the international level. As
the incoming Chairman of the Commission, I intend to continue
prioritizing this work with representatives of governments throughout
Europe to highlight the resurgence of Anti-Semitism and elevate efforts
to push back against this despicable resurgence through education,
outreach, and improved security. Mr. Smith, Mr. Hoyer, Senator Cardin
and I have all chaired the Helsinki Commission, and together, we have
worked with several other Members of both the House and Senate, as well
as with parliamentarians particularly from Germany and Canada, to have
the Parliamentary Assembly of the 57-country OSCE condemn the
escalation of anti-Semitic violence in Europe. We first did this at the
Assembly's 2002 annual session in Berlin, Germany, and have kept it on
the agenda there ever since, suggesting measures to counter anti-
Semitic statements and acts of violence alike. I pushed it strongly
while serving as President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly from 2004
to 2006, and then as chairman of the Commission from 2007 to 2008. We
succeeded in getting OSCE institutions, officials and diplomatic
representatives to incorporate efforts to combat anti-Semitism and
other forms of intolerance into their ongoing work.
Ensuring that our country continues to lead in the fight against
Anti-Semitism is a priority that we should all embrace. I fully support
this measure and urge my colleagues to do the same.
____________________
