December 3, 1974
Page 37780
IN ANSWER TO GEN. GEORGE BROWN
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, I call to the attention f my colleagues a letter to the editor, printed in the New York Times of November 21, from the Washington representative of the American Jewish Committee, Hyman Bookbinder.
Mr. Bookbinder wrote in response to the controversy surrounding Gen. George Brown's recent remarks. In his letter, he defends the right of Jewish lobbies to represent the varied interests of the American Jewish community, as well as to support a broad range of issues before Congress. I think he puts the matter in sound perspective, and I ask unanimous consent that Mr. Bookbinder's letter be printed in the RECORD.
There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the RECORD, as follows:
IN ANSWER TO GEN. GEORGE BROWN
To the EDITOR:
Whether or not Gen. George Brown is removed from his critical post as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is perhaps the least important aspect of the ugly incident.
In the long run it will be less important what happens to the George Brown who carelessly came out of the closet recently, than what happens to the who-knows-how-many-other George Browns across the spectrum of American life. Why do presumably intelligent and otherwise civilized Americans continue to hold these distorted views of Jews? Why do they perpetuate calumnies about Jews that have been so thoroughly and frequently refuted and repudiated?
It is shocking enough that because of these lies the Jewish people continue to be threatened in various places around the world with discrimination, suppression and even annihilation. But I find it intolerable that in addition we are accused of seeking to counteract these threats with a "powerful Jewish lobby."
Of course, there are efforts by American Jews to enlighten and persuade and advocate – just as there are by all kinds of groups. And, happy to record, on every issue – "Jewish" issues and "non-Jewish" issues – Jews do not struggle alone. But should there be any wonder that on some issues and under some circumstances there is a special Jewish presence? Can it really be difficult for anyone to understand that when another six million Jews are threatened with physical and or cultural genocide – three million in Israel and three million in the Soviet Union – American Jews will not stand idly by? Should we have to justify efforts in support of our co-religionists' self- defense through the basic American democratic way – public education and advocacy?
As one of the mere handful of professionals involved in these efforts, I am troubled by the fact that we are never "exposed" for our efforts on behalf of social programs or alleviation of world hunger or integrity of the political process. Even with the overwhelming problems of Jewish security, we heed our Judaic admonition to pursue justice for all people.
Two thousand years ago, Hillel said it for all time and for all peoples: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But If I am only for myself, what am I?" And Jews know that Hillel did not speak, then or now, for Jews alone. It is not the Jewish lobby that voted arms for Israel's self- defense or for freer Soviet emigration. It is the vast majority of Congress that acted in the best traditions of American compassion and enlightened self-interest.
American Jews make no apology for trying to make effective use of our democratic processes or trying to invoke our nation's best instincts. Rather, we assert our right to life – and, yes, also to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And we assert our determination to work and "lobby" for these rights.
HYMAN BOOKBINDER.
WASHINGTON,
November 15, 1974.