Condemning the anti-Semitic attack on the building housing three congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light, honoring the memory of the victims of the attack, and offering condolences to and expressing support for their families, friends, and community.

Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of House Resolution 1138, and I wholeheartedly support its passage.

H. Res. 1138 condemns the heinous anti-Semitic attack on the building housing three congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that resulted in the deaths of 11 innocent people. The resolution honors the memory of the victims of the attack, as well as offers condolences to and expresses support for their families, friends, and community.

I am saddened and outraged by this hateful act. Unfortunately, anti- Semitic incidents have been on the rise--increasing 57 percent in 2017. This horrific shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue is yet another manifestation of this ancient hatred.

Congress stands united in condemning the deadly attack on the Tree of Life synagogue, remembering all who were taken from us on that fateful day, and wishing speedy recovery for those who survived. Last week, Members of Congress passed this bill, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans who oppose intolerance.

The freedom to worship is a core principle of this nation--one that our forefathers enshrined in our Constitution to protect us all from undue prosecution. As a Jewish Member of Congress, I stand ready to fiercely defend the right of all Americans to freely exercise their religious beliefs. With anti-Semitism on the rise, we must redouble our efforts to eradicate it at home and abroad.

I pray for the victims of the Tree of Life shooting and their families, and I know that our community will work to promote religious tolerance and freedom everywhere.

Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, although I don't object, I rise today with a heavy heart.

A few short weeks after a gunman entered the Tree of Life synagogue building in Pittsburgh, my hometown, and took the lives of 11 innocent people and injured 6 others, I ask the House to pause now to remember those who were taken from us: Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose Malinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Cecil and David Rosenthal, Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Daniel Stein, Melvin Wax, and Irving Younger. If we could pause for a moment of silence for these people.

I would also like to honor the law enforcement officers, the first responders, and the medical professionals who heroically responded to the attack. And I continue to wish a full and speedy recovery for those who are wounded.

The attack happened because one man had a dark hatred in his heart for the Jewish people. But the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and the city as a whole have proven to be stronger than hate.

I want to thank the Bipartisan Taskforce to Combat Anti-Semitism for their support and all of the American people who have reached out with their comforting words and support.

We all must do more to combat this hate in our neighborhoods and stop these tragedies from happening. This resolution is just a step in the healing process for our city and our country.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform be discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 1138) condemning the anti- Semitic attack on the building housing three congregations, Tree of Life, Dor Hadash, and New Light, honoring the memory of the victims of the attack, and offering condolences to and expressing support for their families, friends, and community, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the text at the desk.

Mr. Speaker, I have an amendment to the preamble at the desk.