116

96-S 3345

Passed in Senate

May 16, 1996.

SENATE RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE JEWISH WAR VETERANS

WHEREAS, Throughout their history, the Jewish people have been subject to a level of persecution and death that stands as a hideous, indelible stain upon the history of the human race. From the violent programs in Russia, to the near extermination of European Jews at the merciless hands of the Nazis, to the destruction of Jewish life and traditions in the post-war Soviet Union and its satellites, Jews throughout most of their history have never really been allowed to live their lives on their own terms. Only in the United States have Jews enjoyed the opportunities afforded by freedom and equality; and

WHEREAS, With freedom and opportunity comes responsibilities, and American Jews have always eagerly embraced their civic obligations. Whenever the nation has called upon its citizens to serve in the military, American Jews have readily answered the call to arms in every conflict in which the United States has been involved. Records prove that from the Revolution, through the Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and many smaller conflicts, more than 1,000,000 Jews have honorably served in this country's armed forces; and

WHEREAS, Organized in 1896 by veterans of the American Civil War, the Jewish War Veterans, the oldest active veterans organization in the United States, can look back with pride on a century of distinguished service to the nation, both on and off of the battlefield. During the turbulent 1930s, it was the Jewish War Veterans who sponsored economic boycotts of German goods and services and led effective anti-propaganda measures against Nazi barbarism abroad and Bund sympathizers at home; and

WHEREAS, The Jewish War Veterans was the first organization to fully recognize and speak out against the treacherous Communist ideology and take steps to rouse the nations to the defense of its liberty. The Jewish War Veterans have also aggressively championed the cause of fair and proper treatment for disabled and needy veterans of all creeds, fostered greater educational opportunities, group integration, community welfare projects and constructively promoted the ideals of freedom that are the bedrock upon which this noble nation is founded; and

WHEREAS, This Senate and all of Rhode Island is pleased to welcome to the Ocean State Mr. Neil Goldman, National Commander of the Jewish War Veterans. A distinguished veteran of the U.S. Air Corps, a respected businessman and the initiator of the Super Sunday fundraising program for the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, the museum which chronicles Jewish participation in the defense of this nation, Mr. Goldman personifies the very highest ideals of his organization; new, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations is hereby honored to recognize a century of sacrifice and devotion to Rhode Island and the nation by the members of the Jewish War Veterans. From Francis Salvador of South Carolina, the first Jew to fall in the American Revolution, to today's devoted war veterans, it is only fitting and proper that all Americans become aware of the innumerable contributions of Jewish war veterans to the defense and security of the United States in the hope that this knowledge may foster in others the respect and esteem that these selfless patriots deserve; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Mr. Neil Goldman, National Commander of the Jewish War Veterans.



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