Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 6.djvu/881

 PROCLAMATION 6127—MAY 3, 1990 104 STAT. 5271 Proclamation 6127 of May 3, 1990 Jewish Heritage Week, 1990 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Our Nation has been built by men and women from a variety of cultural backgrounds—people of different races and religions who are united by their love for liberty and opportunity. The character of the United States and our cultural heritage have been enriched immeasurably by this diversity. Members of the Jewish faith have brought to these shores a rich legacy of law and a profound appreciation for freedom and justice. Our Nation's moral tradition—indeed, the development of all Western Civilization—has been deeply influenced by the laws and teachings recorded in the Old Testament and Judaic history. The principles of moral and ethical conduct that form the basis for American civil order and the foundation of any truly free and just society come to us, in large part, from the commandments given by God to Moses. Over the years, Jewish men and women have come to this country in search of liberty and the chance to build a better life for themselves and for their children. Through faith and hard work, they have reaped the rewards of both. Their success—shared generously through a host of philanthropic activities—has been a great blessing to all of us. So, too, has been their love for the arts. The Jewish people have produced, and helped to preserve, priceless masterpieces in music, painting, sculpture, and the theater. Equally dedicated to family life and the diligent pursuit of education, they have set a powerful example for all Americans. The Jewish heritage lends special meaning to the spring season. At this time of year, the observances of Passover, Shavuot, and Holocaust Memorial Day inspire deep reflection and prayer among American Jewry. Recounting the Exodus and the Israelites' triumph over bondage, the Passover story provides a poignant reminder that freedom's holy light can never be extinguished because God has given it a home in every human heart. Shavuot, which recalls the giving of the law on Mount Sinai, underscores the relationship between respect for the Word of God and the preservation of public order and happiness. On Yom Ha- Shoah, Holocaust Memorial Day, Jewish Americans remember the Nazi atrocities that claimed the lives of 6 million of their fellow Jews, as well as the lives of millions of other innocent men, women, and children in Europe. By joining in this commemoration, and in remembrance of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, we renew our determination to defend the dignity and worth of every human life and the rights of every individual, regardless of race or creed. On May 10, we also join our Jewish friends and neighbors in marking the 42nd anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel, and we share in the celebration of the modern Exodus of Jews from the Soviet Union, many of whom are going to Israel. During Jewish Heritage Week, let us recognize the significance of these occasions to American Jewry and acknowledge the many contributions

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