The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE JEWISH WAR VETERANS (JWV) DEPARTMENT OF MINNESOTA
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HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 22, 2021
Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) Department of Minnesota as members celebrate their 75th anniversary year. For three quarters of a century, the Minnesota JWV has been the premier voice for Jewish uniformed service members and veterans in Minnesota, upholding the national organization's mission to affirm the heroic and honorable service of Jewish veterans and fight against anti-Semitism.
The national organization, Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, was founded by a group of 63 Jewish veterans of the Civil War in 1896 in response to a series of anti-Semitic comments made about Jewish service in the war. JWV is the oldest congressionally chartered veterans' organization and has grown to include over 15,000 members across the country. Saint Paul Post 162 is led by Commander Jim Hassing and was founded in 1938 by World War I veterans as the first Jewish War Veteran Post in Minnesota. In the following years, the official Jewish War Veterans Department of Minnesota was created and today is home to two other posts; the Nilva-Dansky-Neff Post 331, led by Commander Ben Weisbuch, and the Abrahamson-Biglow-Spector Post 354, led by Commander Stewart Mednick.
Throughout its history, the JWV has gone above and beyond fighting anti-Semitism through their many avenues of service to veterans and their families. They helped to establish the Jewish chaplaincy within the military and fought for the inclusion of grave markers, including the Star of David, in veteran's cemeteries. They have stood up against the rise of Nazi Germany, campaigned for religious and racial protections in the 1944 GI Bill, and helped pass multiple bills that awarded Medals of Honor to Jewish service members. The JWV has also supported active duty servicemembers by sending care packages to troops during World War II, the Vietnam War, and after 9/11, during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also established the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in Washington, D.C. to serve as a tribute to the long and proud history of Jewish American military service. More recently, the JWV has been an active supporter for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation which would honor the sacrifices made by all those who have served in the nation's longest conflict.
As a congressionally chartered veterans service organization, the Jewish War Veterans Department of Minnesota is one of nine organizations that make up the Minnesota Commanders' Task Force, a group created in 1988 that meets regularly to discuss issues affecting veterans and their families across the state. The Minnesota JWV provides an important voice to this group as they act as advisory board to the Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and work to develop a unified Minnesota Veterans Legislative Agenda and establish Veterans programs throughout the state. It has been my distinct pleasure to work with this great organization over the years as a lifetime Auxiliary member of the VFW and the American Legion, and as a State Representative and now as a Member of Congress.
Led today by Commander Lou Michaels, the Jewish War Veterans Department of Minnesota continues to be a valuable advocate for Jewish servicemembers and their families in the state of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognizing all members of the Jewish War Veterans Department of Minnesota as they celebrate their 75th year of service to the community.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 186
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