Four-day Convention of American Zionist Organization Opens Today

The Zionist Organization of America will open its four-day annual convention here tomorrow to discuss the future program of its work together with a program of action embracing youth, aliyah, education, community relations, and the furtherance of Hebrew. Some 1,500 delegates representing 600 ZOA districts and regions from all parts of the country will attend the sessions.

Leaders of both Houses of Congress, together with governors of 15 states, today hailed the ZOA in messages to the convention. The messages saluted the organization on its record of 60 years of achievements toward the creation and building of the State of Israel and stressed the challenge of its future tasks in behalf of a secure Israel and for the enrichment of Jewish life in this country.

Tomorrow’s opening session will be addressed by Governor Averell Harriman of New York, Federal Judge Simon E. Sobeloff and Dr. Emanuel Neumann, who will deliver the presidential message. Principal speakers at the remaining sessions include former President Harry S. Truman, Lord Russell of Liverpool, Herve Alphand, Ambassador of France, Israel Ambassador Eban, Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, James G. McDonald and Israel Rokach, Deputy Speaker of the Israel Parliament.

Leading in the Congressional tributes, House Majority Leader John W. McCormack, in a statement, lauded the ZOA endeavors as having been “of enormous importance in strengthening the friendly ties which exist between the government of the United States and Israel.” Senator Paul H. Douglas in his statement in salute of the ZOA said that “today the free world is stronger because there is a democratic Israel in the Middle East.” He added that American Zionists “may take pride in the creation of a living bond between a people of Israel and the United States, partners in freedom.” Other messages were in a similar vein.