So was the USA founded on Christian principles or Jewish principles? I'm confused.

[struggle4progress]

15. HJ RES 104 in the 102nd Session "designated March 26, 1991 as Education Day"

In the 102nd House, HJ RES 104 "Passed without objection" on 3/5/1991. It strikes me as 20 years too late to object to the designation of March 26, 1991 as "Education Day" -- but of course on this point we shall defer to the loudest in our midst. So here is the Congressional Record of the exciting House discussion at H1387, for those who enjoy reading such matters:

Mr. SAWYER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 104) to designate March 26, 1991, as `Education Day, U.S.A.' and ask for its immediate consideration.

The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?

Mr. RIDGE. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do so simply to acknowledge the work of the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Michel] who is the chief proponent of this legislation, and to yield to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].

(Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

[Page: H1388]

Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of House Joint Resolution 104 designating March 26, 1991, as `Education Day, U.S.A.', and I commend my colleagues, our distinguished minority leader, Mr. Michel and our distinguished majority leader, Mr. Gephardt for introducing this measure.

Mr. Speaker, the future of our Nation, our very way of life, and our democratic system of government is dependent on a highly educated citizenry, a citizenry that must be fully equipped to compete with other nations of the world. We must nurture our desire for learning and to motivate students and teachers to assure that we maintain leadership to continue our American democracy.

The quality of education is essential to our Americna heritage of cultural and political freedom. Our schools are instrumental in providing our scientific and technical competence. Education holds the key to the future. By designating March 26, 1991, as `Education Day, U.S.A.' we will call the attention of the American people to the necessity of improving our educational system, which pomotes good moral and ethical.

House Joint Resolution 104 also calls attention to the Lubavitch movement, which promotes many of our ethical values and principles upon which the educational system of our great Nation was founded.

Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join in supporting this resolution.

Mr. MICHEL. Mr. Speaker, I welcome this opportunity to say a few words about House Joint Resolution 104, requesting the President to designate March 26, 1991, as `Education Day, U.S.A.'

Along with the distinguished majority leader, Richard Gephardt, I am sponsoring this resolution. The majority leader and I joined forces 2 years ago, and I am happy to be a part of this worthy venture today.

As I said last year, I think it is fitting that the majority and the minority leaders cosponsor such a resolution. Education is an issue that transcends partisan consideration.

Today, we are seeing a rebirth of the time-honored ideal of progress through education. This resolution draws to the attention of the American people the importance of education to our country. Education is the cornerstone to maintaining our quality of life and national security and is the basis upon which this country will rise to meet the challenges of the future.

March 26 also happens to be the 89th birthday of the internationally renowned and respected religious leader, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

It is only fitting that we pay tribute to this great educator as 1991 marks the Bebbe's 90th year of his ascension to the world leadership of the Lubavitch movement. The Lubavitch movement actively promotes educational programs at more than 150 centers in the United States and many more worldwide.

The Lubavitch movement, founded in the 18th century, has as its philosophical foundation three basic elements: wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

It is, therefore, appropriate that the movement, under the inspirational leadership of the man called the Rebbe, has been so active in promoting education.

Looking over my remarks from last year, I came upon a fact I want to share with you today.

The movement which the Rebbe heads takes its name from the Russian city, Lubavitch, which, translated into English means, city of love.

In the final analysis it is love of one's religious heritage, love of learning--that is at the heart of the Lubavitch movement and at the heart of this resolution.

I am pleased once again to honor a great man and to support such a noble idea.

Mr. RIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Ohio?

There was no objection.

The Clerk read the joint resolution, as follows:

H.J. Res. 104

Whereas Congress recognizes the historical tradition of eithical values and principles which are the basis of civilized society and upon which our great Nation was founded;

Whereas these ethical values and principles have been the bedrock of society from the dawn of civilization, when they were known as the Seven Noahide Laws;

Whereas without these ethical values and principles the edifice of civilization stands in serious peril of returning to chaos;

Whereas society is profoundly concerned with the recent weakening of these principles that has resulted in crises that beleaguer and threaten the fabric of civilized society;

Whereas the justified preoccupation with these crises must not let the citizens of this Nation lose sight of their responsibility to transmit these historical ethical values from our distinguished past to the generations of the future;

Whereas the Lubavitch movement has fostered and promoted these ethical values and principles throughout the world;

Whereas Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, leader of the Lubavitch movement, is universally respected and revered and his eighty-ninth birthday falls on March 26, 1991;

Whereas in tribute to this great spiritual leader, `the rebbe,' this, his ninetieth year will be seen as one of `education and giving,' the year in which we turn to education and charity to return the world to the moral and ethical values contained in the Seven Noahide Laws; and

Whereas this will be reflected in an international scroll of honor signed by the President of the United States and other heads of state: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That March 26, 1991, the start of the ninetieth year of Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, leader of the worldwide Lubavitch movement, is designated as `Education Day, U.S.A.'. The President is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

The joint resolution was ordered to be engrossed and read a third time, was read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on the table.