A resolution expressing Congressional indignation at desecration of places of worship will be voted today in the House. The resolution was initiated by Rep. Barratt O’Hara, Illinois Democrat. A Senate version of the same resolution was introduced this weekend in the Senate by Senator Jacob K. Javits, New York Republican.
Senator Javits said in a speech on the Senate floor that the bombing of a synagogue this weekend in Kansas City was evidence that “bigoted elements” would not hesitate to use violence “to bring fear to members of one religious faith.” He emphasized that this is only the latest manifestation of religious hatred in this country and abroad. The bombing indicated that those who thought the recent swastika episodes were “little pranks by young boys,” were seriously mistaken, he added.
Bernard Abrams, national commander of the Jewish War Veterans, commenting on the bombing of the synagogue in Kansas City, today sharply criticized Congress for failing in its responsibility to the American people in its inadequate attention to legislation that would make the bombings of places of worship and other public buildings federal offense.
“With each new outrage, it becomes more and more apparent that Congressional paralysis has kept the United States from mustering all of its national police resources to ferret out the perpetrators of these crimes,” he said. He urged the Congress to enact legislation immediately directing the FBI to enter into these cases.
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.
