President Truman today demanded legislation “to reduce discrimination based on prejudice” in an address before the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The Conference met here to map plans for Brotherhood Week, to be held in February, 1950.
President Truman said he asked the Federal Government to participate actively in efforts to achieve greater justice for minority groups. He stated: “I do not see how we can do otherwise than adopt such legislation. If we look at ourselves in the true spirit of brotherhood, we must acknowledge that in the United States there are instances of discrimination and injustice because of difference in color, religion, or national origin. But we are working diligently to overcome these violations of the fundamental faith which holds us together. It is encouraging to see that Americans all over the country are growing more and more aware of the importance of this problem.
“The first step of every enemy of this country has always been to separate the different strands of faith and belief out of which this nation had been woven. Our enemies have tried to set group against group, faith against faith to create prejudice and distrust among our people. All the faiths represented here claim as a common heritage the great thoughts of the Hebrew Prophets. The Prophets were among the first of men who saw that the concept of the Fatherhood of God required men to do justice to one another.
“The great service of the National Conference of Christians and Jews is to fight against the forces of intolerance, to bring light to the dark byways of prejudice, and to spread the spirit of tolerance and brotherhood which unites our country. With the help of your organization and others like it, we have been able to play an important part in the United Nations in developing such historic international documents as the Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on Genocide.”
The Conference later reelected its national officers and approval drive for $3,500,000 to finance the expanded program planned for 1950.
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