PRINTER'S NO. 1005
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
161
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SOLOMON, FRANKEL, KAUFER, PHILLIPS-HILL, FREEMAN,
SCHLOSSBERG, W. KELLER, DEAN, READSHAW, SAMUELSON, ENGLISH,
CALTAGIRONE, HAHN, CORBIN, DERMODY, J. HARRIS, HILL-EVANS,
PICKETT, RABB, DONATUCCI, SCHWEYER, LONGIETTI, BAKER, TOEPEL,
BIZZARRO, GODSHALL, RYAN, DeLUCA, BARRAR, MURT, D. MILLER,
D. COSTA, BULLOCK, KINSEY, DiGIROLAMO, MACKENZIE, SIMS,
O'BRIEN, MILLARD, McNEILL, ROTHMAN, GROVE, CHARLTON,
A. HARRIS, WATSON, NEILSON, KLUNK, SAYLOR, McCLINTON,
V. BROWN, WARREN, MENTZER, REED, TURZAI, STAATS, DUSH,
GOODMAN, DeLISSIO, BRIGGS, DRISCOLL, WARD, CEPHAS,
FITZGERALD, HELM, CUTLER, TAYLOR, SACCONE, WHITE, MARKOSEK,
KIM, MASSER, STURLA, BERNSTINE, ZIMMERMAN AND LAWRENCE,
MARCH 20, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 20, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Condemning acts of hate and vandalism against the Jewish
community.
WHEREAS, Individuals who show cultural insensitivity and an
animus to a particular group of people are harming all
Pennsylvanians; and
WHEREAS, Recently, there has been an alarming increase in the
number of acts of hate directed toward members of the Jewish
faith and this increase cannot be ignored; and
WHEREAS, Recent acts of hate number 154, including bomb
threats and acts of vandalism against museums, houses of
worship, advocacy groups and cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, This disturbing trend has occurred in this
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Commonwealth and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, In late February of this year, vandals toppled more
than 100 gravestones at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia, a
historic cemetery that dates back to the mid-1800s; and
WHEREAS, Families and loved ones have had to endure the
emotional trauma of seeing the desecrated headstones and come to
terms with the challenges brought about by the vandalism; and
WHEREAS, The perpetrators of the vandalism have not been
apprehended, and the families affected continue to suffer from
these acts of cowardice and hate; and
WHEREAS, In early March 2017, multiple Jewish community
centers across the country, including one in York and one in
Harrisburg, were evacuated after receiving threats; and
WHEREAS, Staff at the York Jewish Community Center (JCC)
received a call from a man who claimed there was a bomb in the
building; and
WHEREAS, The JCC staff evacuated the building and allowed the
authorities to sweep the building with bomb-sniffing dogs; and
WHEREAS, As children in the JCC's day care were being
evacuated their parents were contacted and reacted with panic;
and
WHEREAS, The families who endured threats continue to remain
on guard, fearful about whether a similar act will follow; and
WHEREAS, The community in York, the York authorities, the
Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
continue to investigate these acts and remain determined to
bring those responsible to justice; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the country, police have reported threats
to Jewish institutions; and
WHEREAS, Over the recent Purim holiday, the Louis S. Wolk
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Jewish Community Center in Rochester, New York, was evacuated
Sunday morning for the second time in less than a week during
its hosting of a "warming center" for people whose homes had
lost power; and
WHEREAS, These acts represent a continuing and disturbing
pattern of intimidation and hate; and
WHEREAS, We all stand united against such cowardly acts; and
WHEREAS, Our Commonwealth cannot be defined by these acts,
but rather should be defined by our residents' response to these
acts; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives condemn acts of
hate and vandalism that have been committed against the Jewish
community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
Pennsylvanians to remain steadfast in rejecting cultural
insensitivity and use this as a moment when we can come together
to educate young people and adults on understanding and
appreciating all members of our community and residents of this
Commonwealth.
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