Yvette Clarke: “In light of the undeniable spikes in hate speech and hate crimes and conversations we have had in the House over the…”

“In light of the undeniable spikes in hate speech and hate crimes and conversations we have had in the House over the past few days, I rise today in memory of Ari Halberstam, a young neighbor of mine whose life was taken 25 years ago this week when anti-Semitic hatred morphed into terrorism. Tragically, on March 6, 1994, Ari passed away at age 16 due to gunshot wounds to the head after a terrorist attack on the ramp leading to the Brooklyn Bridge. Mr. Speaker, we must confront hatred in all of its manifestations, be it anti-Semitic attacks that took our beloved Ari's life or the hate- fueled neo-Nazi march through Charlottesville that took the life of Heather Heyer. Devorah Halberstam, Ari's mother and my dear friend, is a crusader for justice and a forceful advocate in New York State for the passage of Ari's Law as part of a comprehensive gun control bill prohibiting interstate gun trafficking. Determined to bring about something symbolic of resilience, tolerance, and beauty, in 2004 Ms. Halberstam established Brooklyn's iconic Jewish Children's Museum in my district in memory of Ari. The award-winning children's museum is Ari's legacy. It is our legacy. The uptick in acts of anti-Semitism targeting Jewish communities are truly alarming, but must be confronted. Let us remember that these acts are in no way reflective of who we are as a Nation and/or our core values of tolerance, respect, and human decency.…”