Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I want to acknowledge an exciting moment in Oregon's history: the grand opening of the new Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education in Portland. The 15,000-square-foot museum now has a permanent place in our State where anyone can come to learn and experience Jewish culture and history. Jews have lived in Oregon for more than 165 years. Many immigrated here to escape the horrors of the Holocaust; others came with the hope of finding a new life in a new land. I am the son of immigrants who fled Nazi Germany, so this history is especially personal. As a proud American Jew, I know that for each dark chapter in our history, there is a story of perseverance, of hope, of triumph. The rich traditions and culture within the Jewish community must be preserved and taught for generations to come. That is why I am so proud of the work done by the community in Oregon and by the Portland museum staff and board to bring this museum to an even grander scale. The museum has come a long way from its initial beginnings when it was known as the museum without walls. From the first exhibition, ``Jews of Greece,'' at the Multnomah County Central Library in 1990, interest grew-and so has the museum's footprint. Now, with this new state-of-the-art facility, the museum will continue to educate and open the minds of many about the experiences of Oregon's vibrant Jewish community.…”