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Roosevelt Hails Catholic Body’s Fight on Anti-semitism; Warns Racism Perils All Americans

August 5, 1940
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Racial and religious discrimination imperils the fundamental rights of all Americans, President Roosevelt declared in a statement to the Committee of Catholics for Human Rights made public today.

the President, who sent the message on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Committee’s foundation, praised the organization for “its mobile work” and expressed the hope that it would continue to be successful in its fight against anti-Semitism.

“Freedom of conscience, as written into the Federal constitution, through the wisdom and foresight of the Fathers has been a guarantee of peace and happiness during all our life as a nation,” the President said. “Any selfish group which would discriminate against any of our fellow citizens because of race or religion would thereby endanger the fundamental rights of all.

“Only by common recognition of the principle that all men are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness can we attain the national unity which is essential to the maintenance of the democratic way of life and those cherished institutions which it fosters and encourages.”

The Committee was formed last year by a group of prominent catholic to oppose propaganda spread in the interests of systems and theories antagonistic to the principles of democracy and the teaching of Christianity. Since its organization the Committee has distributed 1,000,000 copies of its official publication, The Voice for Human Rights, throughout the country.

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