Recognizing the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United States and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to urge the passage of H. Res. 493, which recognizes the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United States and around the world. The Hillel program was founded at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1923 and has become the world's largest Jewish campus organization, serving Jewish college students on over 500 campuses worldwide. Since its inception, Hillel has been an important partner to universities by providing resources, programs, and other forms of support to the entire campus community. For over 80 years, Hillel has been at the forefront of breaking down discriminatory barriers to students of all backgrounds on college campuses. Hillel has sought to promote racial tolerance and equality, and for its accomplishments in this arena, Hillel should be recognized.

Moreover, Hillel has been at the forefront in contributing to the Nation's achievements in science, industry, and the humanities by helping generations of students attain the dream of higher education. This incredible and multi-faceted program has made its mark on United States history by providing armed service personnel with counseling prior to World War II, welcoming GIs back to campus following the war, and sponsoring European refugees on campuses during and after the war, including the late Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos.

In the realm of social justice issues, Hillel has educated students and has helped them to provide leadership for the civil rights movement, the campaign to free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the genocide in Darfur. As a Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, I have worked tirelessly to pass legislation that will halt the genocide in Darfur. The crimes being committed against the people of Sudan are unimaginable, and we must not for a moment forget that they are ongoing. This is an issue I hold near to me, and I commend Hillel

for taking on this important and necessary reform.

Hillel has continued to promote AIDS Awareness and interfaith understanding, and has been at the forefront of educating campuses about Israel, an ally of the United States. Such wide reaching tenets of social reform are to be commended, applauded and recognized. H. Res. 493 achieves all three.

In further promulgation of tolerance and respect, Hillel has helped to provide students with the tools to combat anti-Semitism on campus; and Hillel continues to contribute enormously to civil society by providing service-learning opportunities for thousands of students in the United States and abroad.

I stand here today, as a supporter of Hillel's mission of service and education to Jewish college students and beyond, and as a partner with college campus communities, and I congratulate the students, lay leaders, and professionals who are part of the Hillel movement on reaching its milestone 85th birthday.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 493) recognizing the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life to college campus communities in the United States and around the world.

Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which Members may revise and extend and insert extraneous material on H. Res. 493 into the Record.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the significant contributions that Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life has made towards colleges and universities around the United States.

Hillel began as an organization 85 years ago at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Benjamin Frankel developed the organization as an opportunity for Jewish students to affirm their heritage during a time of anti-Semitism. The advent of World War II, and the horror of the Holocaust, only further justified the need for Hillel as a campus organization.

During the war, Hillel counseled soldiers, welcomed GIs back to campus, and sponsored European refugees. One of these refugees was the late chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Tom Lantos.

Today Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. Hillel's mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. The organization helps students grow spiritually, intellectually, and socially throughout their college years. Hillel prepares thousands of young adults to enter the world upholding the important ideals of the Jewish faith.

In addition to serving the Jewish community, Hillel serves as a beacon for social justice causes that extend far beyond the Jewish community. The organization champions civil rights, ending the genocide in Darfur, AIDS awareness, and interfaith dialogue and understanding. Hillel is also an important campus advocate for Israel, educating college students about their country's important relationship with Israel. Through these outreach and advocacy efforts, Hillel communicates to our Nation and the world the highest values of the Jewish community.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage everyone to take a moment and appreciate the contributions made by Hillel. I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, does the gentlewoman from Washington have any further speakers?

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Washington also for her fine statement and support of H. Res. 493.

I have no further speakers. I encourage our Members to support H. Res. 493.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 493, recognizing the significant contributions of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life on college campus communities in the United States and around the world. I would like to thank my colleague Congressman Klein for introducing this important resolution and for all of his work to celebrate Jewish life and fight anti-Semitism.

This past weekend, Hillel marked its 85th anniversary. Every day, for the past 85 years, Hillel has worked to fulfill its mission of enriching the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students, helping them to become leaders in their communities.

Founded at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1923 by Rabbi Benjamin Frankel, Hillel has grown to over 500 campuses around the world. Today, Hillel of Illinois is active on 17 campuses across the state, including three in my district alone, providing opportunities for Jewish students to explore their Jewish identity and create vibrant Jewish life on campuses.

Hillel plays a critical role in encouraging students to be leaders in their communities, championing causes including human rights and social justice. Hillel students have been active on issues ranging from civil rights to freeing Soviet Jewry; from halting genocide in Darfur to promoting the U.S.-Israel relationship. Hillel provides students with the opportunity to engage in their communities and around the world.

Today, 85 years after its founding, Hillel is the largest Jewish campus organization in the world. The organization has supported the broader Jewish community during times of trouble and tragedy and has celebrated the community's triumphs. For the past eight decades, Hillel has helped Jewish students connect with their history, culture, and identity at a crucial moment of self-discovery in their own lives.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to recognize Hillel on its 85th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the passage of H. Res. 493, a resolution to honor the 85th anniversary of Hillel: the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life.

I would like to thank Congressman Tim Johnson for co-authoring this resolution with me. Congressman Johnson's district is the home of the first Hillel, founded in 1923.

As my colleagues know well, Hillel is the world's largest Jewish college campus organization, serving students on over 500 campuses around the world.

Last night, with dozens of house parties and celebrations, Hillel celebrated its 85th anniversary.

Hillel has been an important partner to universities by providing resources, programs and other forms of support to the entire campus community. Hillel members, professional staff and lay leaders have educated students about American values and have helped them to provide leadership for causes, including the civil rights movement, the campaign to free Soviet Jewry, the effort to stop the genocide in Darfur, and the promotion of the U.S.-Israel relationship.

I would like to recognize Wayne Firestone, the President of Hillel, originally from South Florida and a University of Miami Hillel alumnus, for his tireless work on behalf of the many causes that Hillel students advance. I would also like to commend Josh Kram, originally from South Florida and a Hillel alumnus at the University of Florida, for helping to coordinate a successful birthday celebration.

Hillel is an important institution that has provided numerous benefits to young people and their communities. It is only appropriate that on this anniversary, Congress recognize Hillel's achievements in giving back to this country and the world.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.