IV
House Calendar No. 54
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 62
[Report No. 107–143]
Expressing the sense of Congress that the George Washington letter to
Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, which is on display at
the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum in Washington,
D.C., is one of the most significant early statements buttressing the
nascent American constitutional guarantee of religious freedom.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 14, 2001
Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island (for himself and Mr. LANGEVIN) submitted the
following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary
JULY 17, 2001
Reported with an amendment, referred to the House Calendar, and ordered
to be printed
[Insert the part printed in italic]
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the George Wash-
ington letter to Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode
Island, which is on display at the B’nai B’rith Klutznick
National Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., is one
of the most significant early statements buttressing the
nascent American constitutional guarantee of religious
freedom.
•HCON 62 RH
Whereas George Washington responded to a letter sent by
Moses Seixas, warden of Touro Synagogue in Newport,
Rhode Island, in August 1790;
Whereas, although Touro Synagogue, the oldest Jewish house
of worship in the United States, and now a national his-
toric site, was dedicated in December 1763, Jewish fami-
lies had been in Newport for over 100 years before that
date;
Whereas these Jews, some of whom were Marranos, came to
the United States with hopes of starting a new life in this
country, where they could practice their religious beliefs
freely and without persecution;
Whereas they were drawn to the Colony of Rhode Island and
the Providence Plantations because of Governor Roger
Williams’ assurances of religious liberty;
Whereas the letter from Touro Synagogue is the most famous
of many congratulatory notes addressed to the new presi-
dent by American Jewish congregations;
Whereas Seixas articulated the following principle, which
Washington repeated in his letter: ‘‘For happily the Gov-
ernment of the United States, which gives to bigotry no
sanction, to persecution no assistance; requires only that
they who live under its protection, should demean them-
selves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their
effectual support’’;
Whereas the text of George Washington’s letter to Touro Syna-
gogue states:
‘‘Gentlemen:
‘‘While I receive with much satisfaction, your Address
replete with expressions of affection and esteem, I rejoice
in the opportunity of answering you, that I shall always
•HCON 62 RH
retain a grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I ex-
perienced in my visit to Newport, from all classes of Citi-
zens.
‘‘The reflection on the days of difficulty and danger
which are past, is rendered the more sweet, from a con-
sciousness that they are succeeded by days of uncommon
prosperity and security. If we have wisdom to make the
best use of the advantages with which we are now favored,
we cannot fail, under the just administration of a good
Government, to become a great and a happy people.
‘‘The Citizens of the United States of America have
a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind
examples of an enlarged and liberal policy: a policy wor-
thy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and
immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that tolera-
tion is spoken of, as if it was by the indulgence of one class
of people, that another enjoyed the exercise of their inher-
ent natural rights. For happily the Government of the
United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to perse-
cution no assistance, requires only that they who live
under its protection, should demean themselves as good
citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual sup-
port.
‘‘It would be inconsistent with the frankness of my
character not to avow that I am pleased with your favor-
able opinion of my administration, and fervent wishes for
my felicity. May the Children of the Stock of Abraham,
who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the
good will of the other inhabitants, while every one shall sit
in safety under his own wine and fig tree, and there shall
be none to make him afraid. May the father of all mercies
scatter light and not darkness in our paths, and make us
House Calendar No. 54
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 62
[Report No. 107–143]
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the George
Washington letter to Touro Synagogue in New-
port, Rhode Island, which is on display at the
B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum
in Washington, D.C., is one of the most signifi-
cant early statements buttressing the nascent
American constitutional guarantee of religious
freedom.
JULY 17, 2001
Reported with an amendment, referred to the House
Calendar, and ordered to be printed