PRINTER'S NO. 563
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
44
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY WAGNER, SCARNATI, EICHELBERGER, RESCHENTHALER,
LEACH, REGAN, LANGERHOLC, MARTIN, SCAVELLO, FONTANA,
SABATINA, DiSANTO, ARGALL, GREENLEAF, AUMENT, BROWNE,
McILHINNEY, BROOKS, MENSCH, VOGEL, KILLION, VULAKOVICH,
FOLMER, STEFANO, HUTCHINSON, RAFFERTY, BARTOLOTTA AND COSTA,
MARCH 22, 2017
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 22, 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, There has been a recent alarming increase in the
number of acts of hate toward members of the Jewish faith and
this increase cannot be ignored; and
WHEREAS, Recent acts of hate number more than 150, since the
beginning of 2017, and include bomb threats or acts of vandalism
against museums, houses of worship, advocacy groups and
cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, This disturbing trend has occurred both in this
Commonwealth and across the nation; and
WHEREAS, In late February 2017, vandals toppled more than 100
gravestones at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Philadelphia, a historic
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cemetery that dates back to the 1890s; and
WHEREAS, Families and loved ones had to endure the emotional
trauma of seeing desecrated headstones and come to terms with
such horrific acts of hate; and
WHEREAS, The perpetrators of these acts have not been
apprehended and the families affected continue to suffer from
these acts of cowardice and hate; and
WHEREAS, In early March, 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, Children in the JCC's day care were evacuated as
parents were contacted and felt a sense of panic; and
WHEREAS, The families who endured threats remain fearful of
the possibility of another similar act; 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 for these acts to justice; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the country, police have reported threats
to Jewish institutions; and
WHEREAS, Most recently over the Purim holiday, the Louis S.
Wolk Jewish Community Center in Rochester, New York, was
evacuated on the morning of Sunday, March 12, for the second
time in less than a week as the Rochester JCC served as a
warming center for people whose homes had lost power due to a
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windstorm; and
WHEREAS, These acts reflect 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 Senate condemn acts of hate and vandalism
that have been committed against the Jewish community; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Senate encourage all Pennsylvanians to
remain steadfast in rejecting cultural insensitivity and use
this time as a moment when we can come together and begin
educating young people and adults on understanding and
appreciating all members of our community and residents of this
Commonwealth.
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