Rep. Wasserman Schultz learned first hand how many insurance companies discriminate against people who indicate that they might travel to Israel when she was turned down for life insurance herself.  "I had no reservations, no specific plans---I received a letter that said to contact them when my travel plans no longer included Israel, because it was considered too high of a risk," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. "My research has shown me that I am not the first person to whom this happened, but I can assure you, I will work hard to make sure I am the last." 

National Jewish History Month was modeled after Black History Month to address the ignorance about Jewish culture that is pervasive in America.  "Though we deal with a number of issues affecting the Jewish people, ignorance about Jews, our history, culture and contributions to American society remains widespread in the U.S.  Ignorance leads to hatred and bigotry, and one way to stop it is through education."

Her speech also highlighted the importance of Israel to the United States foreign policy and how this translates into strong bi-partisan support in Congress for Israel, especially in this time of increased hostility in the Middle East.

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, is a volunteer women's organization, whose members are motivated and inspired to strengthen their partnership with Israel, ensure Jewish continuity, and realize their potential as a dynamic force in American society.

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July 17, 2005

Opening Assembly Speech

Hadassah Annual Convention

Good afternoon.  I am delighted to be here with you today.  Thank you Joyce and Judy for that kind introduction and thank you to the phenomenal women of Hadassah - I was humbled and honored by your invitation.

I am proud to stand before you as one of three women in Congress today under the age of 40, a proud mother of three beautiful children and as the first Jewish woman to represent the state of Florida in the United States Congress!

More importantly, I thank you for coming to Washington to let your voices be heard on Capitol Hill on some of the most crucial, complex and controversial issues of our time. 

Two thousand Jewish women lifting their voices on the Hill and standing face to face with power and speaking truth ---- there's something so amazing

about that all by itself.

As a long-standing member of Hadassah, I look across this room, into the sea of Hadassah sisters and I am filled with so much pride ---what a beautiful sight! 

We are, in the words of our founder Henrietta Szold, "part of a strong and effective force that can, "dream great dreams and then take the practical steps to make them a reality."  

Not only do I commend each and every one of you for taking the time to enrich your lives by improving the lives of others---I stand with you.

Your work is so important and without you, thousands of people around the world would be without shelter, without a meal, without their health.... to put it simply, without the support to carry on.  You act in the true spirit of Tikkun Olam.

I have been a member of Hadassah for the past 10 years.  The goals and values of this organization are a core part of my being. 

Personally, Hadassah has enhanced my connection to American Jewry and to Israel, giving me the knowledge and confidence to pursue with passion Jewish ideals in politics.

So I stand before you today as a daughter of Hadassah, an active participant in the Jewish community, a mother and a Jewish Member of Congress with all of the privileges, rights and responsibilities that each of these roles affords me.

I realize that I stand on the shoulders of so many and I don't take any of that for granted. But even today, there are still challenges that women face.

There is so much work for us to do that we can't afford to be divided. No matter our age or background, as women we share a common thread.

And on Tuesday, when you visit Capitol Hill to meet with your elected Representatives--YOU MUST STAND STRONG!!! 

Let them know that Hadassah has always worked on issues and policies that are consistent with the values we cherish - family, fairness and faith just to name a few. 

In Washington, it takes courage to take a stand on certain issues these days --- I know that all too well from my experience with the Terri Schiavo matter.  

It is said that "the greatest test of courage on the earth is to bear defeat without losing heart."

I stood on the courage of my convictions during the Schiavo debate and although the position I advocated was defeated, I was not.

I didn't take a poll, I didn't do a survey, I stood on my principles and spoke with my heart and millions of Americans agreed that such personal and private family decisions should not be decided by the United States Congress.

Women of Hadassah, I am pleased to know that you have chosen to speak with your heart and stand for issues such as health care, education, poverty, social security, stem cell research, domestic violence, church/state issues, women's reproductive rights, affordable housing, homeland security and much more.

Your advocacy can and will make a difference.

We need your advocacy to help carry the day for The Stem Cell Research Bill, H.R. 810 which passed the House of Representatives by a resounding 238-194 margin on May 24th. Incredibly, President Bush is threatening to veto this vital legislation.  The Senate is poised to vote on this bill any day now. I urge you to lobby the Senate this week to pass the House bill without amendments. 

With Stem Cell research, we may be able to find a cure for many genetic diseases and conditions, but until we do, discrimination based on these genetic conditions must not be tolerated.  I commend your endeavor to appeal to Congress to pass the Genetic Nondiscrimination Information Act. 

Discriminating in hiring or employment of workers or denying health insurance coverage is illegal and wrong, whether it's sickle cell anemia, Tay-Sachs or any other genetic conditions.

That's why I've joined many of my colleagues in supporting bi-partisan legislation ---the Genetic Information Non- Discrimination Act of 2005. The bill establishes a national standard to fully protect the public from discrimination and allows individuals to take advantage of genetic tests that could save their lives and that of future generations. This type of legislation is already part of Florida law and this protection should be afforded to all Americans.

And speaking of future generations, I want you all to know that I stand with many of my colleagues in the fight to ensure that we don't allow the proud legacy of the New Deal to turn into a Raw Deal for millions of Americans.

In true Hadassah spirit, many of us in Washington are fighting for seniors, the disabled, widows, and orphans when we insist that any changes to Social Security must not add to the deficit, must be fair, and must not slash benefits. Privatization of Social Security meets none of these tests and should not be included in any reform proposal.

I realize that Social Security will need to be strengthened over the years, but I believe we must meet these challenges with ideas that are entrepreneurial, innovative, and will indeed strengthen Social Security. We cannot withdraw the safety net that Social Security has provided to our senior citizens for 70 years.

As Jews, our advocacy and participation in government has always been important and our struggle against anti-Semitism and the pursuit of peace and security for Israel are, and will always be a priority. 

As we are all aware, Israel is at a crucial moment in history as it prepares to evacuate all its settlements from Gaza and four from the West Bank.

This sacrifice for Israel is a testament to the lengths she is willing to go in pursuit of peace.  There are those who contend that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is all about the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, but in truth, the history of the conflict has NEVER been about the occupation: it is over the fundamental right for Israel to exist. 

I am hopeful that this moment of opportunity will not be lost and I am confident that Israel will have no friend more steadfast than the United States.

I can tell you that it is refreshing to see tremendous bi-partisan support for Israel in a Congress where nearly every other issue is divided bitterly among party lines.  There is good news to report: I am proud to tell you that the House of Representatives approved $2.52 billion dollars in aid to Israel in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.

And, while international support is vital, above all, President Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority must take steps to reform the security services and crack down on the terrorist infrastructure. 

If a future Palestinian state is to be a democracy, then terrorists must have no place in government, and there should be no tolerance for a terrorist organization's division into military and so-called political wings.

Indeed, this will be a challenging time for our sisters and brothers in Israel.  But Jews have faced many tests over time, indeed, sometimes it feels that our lives are one big test: of our will, of our patience, of our devotion and our commitment. I believe the peace will prevail and Israel will emerge stronger than ever.

Since her birth, Israel has continually beaten back every conceivable roadblock placed in her way. She has prevailed over hostile neighbors during war, and now she endures the physical and emotional challenges of terrorism and the economic hardship that comes with it.

One of my goals in Congress is to eliminate one more roadblock. 

Let me tell you, I know about this roadblock first hand.  Just recently, when I applied to increase my life insurance, I was turned down.

I was turned down because in my application, without being specific, I indicated that international travel was a possibility. 

When the life insurance company followed-up to inquire where my travel might take me, when Israel was indicated as a possibility, my application was rejected.

You heard it right, my life insurance application was rejected because I might travel to Israel.

I had no reservations, no specific plans---I received a letter that said to contact them when my travel plans no longer included Israel, because it was considered too high of a risk.

Since then, as a member of the Financial Services Committee, I have been working to stop this discrimination from ever happening again.  My research has shown me that I am not the first person to whom this happened, but I can assure you, I will work hard to make sure I am the last.

Before Congress' August recess, I intend to file the Life Insurance Fairness for Travelers Act (LIFT Act), which will prohibit discrimination in life insurance based on potential future travel.

I hope to have Hadassah's support for this significant legislation.

I began today by expressing my appreciation and enthusiasm for Hadassah taking a stand on critical domestic issues and your support of Israel. However, we cannot afford to limit our attention to only these matters and thankfully, Hadassah has shown the way on so many issues.

Though we deal with a number of issues affecting the Jewish people, ignorance about Jews, our history, culture and contributions to American society remains widespread in the U.S.  Ignorance leads to hatred and bigotry, and one way to stop it is through education.

This is why I am sponsoring legislation that would establish American Jewish History Month, a law which would designate the month of January to honor and acknowledge the contributions and history of the Jewish people. 

Currently we have over 200 bipartisan cosponsors and I am seeking the support of others.

On Tuesday, ask your Representative, if he or she has agreed to cosponsor American Jewish History Month and if they haven't, please encourage them to call my office to add their name.

The bill is modeled after Black History Month and would educate millions of Americans from the classroom to the boardroom about the rich tapestry that Jews have provided this country and the world. 

As we all know, education leads to understanding, and greater understanding of our culture will lead to greater support of the Jewish community and ultimately a greater understanding of our homeland, Israel.

I am a firm believer that one voice can make a difference. 

If that holds true, just think of what the 2,000 voices here today can do!

And when you return to your local communities:

Continue to speak for those who cannot speak out for themselves! 

If something remains undone-DO IT!

Help create the society we should become! 

And most of all, pass on our ideals and sense of social responsibility to our children - L'Dor V'Dor - from generation to generation.  As Jews, we know this is what keeps us strong and maintains our vibrant community.

Again, thank you for your dedication to the welfare of the Jewish people in the U.S., Israel, and across the globe and society as a whole.

I wish you a successful conference and lobby day on the Hill. Thank you so much.

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