Tracing the contributions of the Jews to the spiritual, cultural and industrial development of America, Rep. James M. Curley, Massachusetts Democrat, yesterday appealed for an end to hatred and persecution “not in the name of tolerance, but in the name of justice and fair play” for the Jewish people throughout the world. “The persecution and oppression of the Jewish people by the Germans under Hitler must not be permitted in America,” he declared in his twenty minute speech on the floor of the House.
“They have contributed freely of time, energy, money and life itself both in hours of peace and in hours of crisis, and as beneficiaries of their contribution, it is clearly our duty at this time to voice our protest against further persecution of the Jewish people whether it be in Germany or any other portion of the world,” Curley said. “In every war in which the American nation has participated from the beginning of our Government,” he continued, “they have been a potent factor, not only for the establishment of the Government-but for its preservation and perpetuation.”
“The record of achievement by the people of Jewish faith in the present war,” he said, “is now being written in their blood.” Curley presented figures to prove that charges “levelled by propagandists” that Jews are to be found largely in non-combat service are false. He also inserted in the Congressional Record the names of more than 2,500 Jewish boys who have been given honors and awards.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
