Last week, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Long Island, Queens) testified before the House Committee on Appropriations in support of increased funding for federal programs which help to provide security and protection for houses of worship across the United States.
Suozzi’s testimony comes after a significant rise in hate crimes across Long Island and America, including a horrific, anti-Semitic attack in Monsey, N.Y. and anti-Semitic graffiti that was found that the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County in Glen Cove, which was founded when Suozzi was Mayor of Glen Cove.
“Across America we are facing record levels of hate and intolerance. While overall crime continues to decline, hate crimes continue to rise… Why is this happening? Divisive rhetoric at the national level, the misuse of social media, and ignorance are major contributors,” Suozzi said in his testimony. “In addition, I believe that our foreign adversaries are using social media to foment hate and civil unrest across our nation. I recently sent a bipartisan letter with my New York colleagues to the head of the CIA, the FBI, Homeland Security and the Department of Justice calling for an investigation of the misuse of social media by our foreign adversaries to insight anti-Semitism and civil unrest. We need to protect our local communities and show perpetrators of hate that an attack against one community is an attack against us all… We must provide immediate protection for our faith-based communities by continuing to support local efforts to enforce our laws and efforts to increase federal funding for law enforcement and security at our synagogues, churches, mosques and other houses of worship.”
Throughout his time in Congress, Suozzi has fiercely fought to prevent anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. As a Member of the bipartisan Congressional Anti-Semitism Task Force, Suozzi helped to secure bipartisan support to pass the “Never Again Education Act,” which passed the House last month by a vote of 393-5. This legislation will provide teachers across America with the resources to teach our children about the Holocaust.
In addition to continuing to speak out against anti-Semitic and hateful attacks, Suozzi also recently published an op-ed in the Long Island Press where he emphasized the importance of combatting anti-Semitism and that “As a nation, diversity has always been our strength. We must embrace our diversity and come together to make our communities safe for those who live, look, love, or worship differently. Ignoring the lessons of history imperils our society. History needs to serve as a tool to navigate our future, ensuring that “Never Again” is assured for future generations.”
Submitted by the Office of U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi
