Political Quotes

“I come to the floor to honor a great New Yorker, a great American, and one of the greatest Jewish leaders in our country's history: Rabbi David Saperstein. This year marks his 50th anniversary at the Religious Action Center, a milestone of immense distinction and honor. It is not possible to summarize in a single statement the breadth and depth of Rabbi Saperstein's accomplishments. He is, of course a rabbi. But he is also an advocate at heart. He is a lawyer. A teacher. A diplomat who served as ambassador. He is a religious leader and a mentor to countless people over the years, of all faiths and persuasions. But if we had to pick just one thing, it would be this: Rabbi Saperstein has always been a voice for justice and progress and decency for people around the world. As the director of the Religious Action Center for over 40 years, he was one of Reform Judaism's greatest champions in the Halls of Congress and within the Federal Government. In his own words, he carried out this role with a mission to ``make real the Jewish prophetic ideals of justice, peace, freedom, equality and compassion, in America, in Israel, in the lives of human beings everywhere.'' Rabbi Saperstein is also the first rabbi in American history to serve as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, selected by President Obama in 2014. He advised both the President and Secretary Kerry on promoting the rights of religious minorities around the world.…”