Joe Morelle: “I thank my friend and colleague, Chairman Steil, for his comments. I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 25. Historically…”

“I thank my friend and colleague, Chairman Steil, for his comments. I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 25. Historically, this resolution authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall for a ceremony to honor victims of the Holocaust has been considered and agreed to by the House with unanimous consent because there was universal agreement that debate on this issue was unnecessary. I don't know what has changed necessitating the debate in the 118th Congress, but I fully support the measure, nonetheless. We are considering this legislation at a time when acts of hatred and anti-Semitism are on the rise, not just around the world but here in the United States. Perhaps even more troubling, anti-Semitism has begun an insidious creep into what was once considered mainstream ideologies and institutions. On January 6, in a failed attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power and to subvert democracy and the rule of law, violent insurrectionists stormed the halls of the Capitol, some wearing clothing emblazoned with vile anti-Semitic slogans and imagery. This is not some distant memory that happened in a faraway country. It happened right here in this very building, in this very Chamber, just 2 years ago. That is why it is so important we reject hate and authoritarianism at every turn to prevent its malignant spread.…”