Washington - South Floridians Push For A Presidential Proclamation Of Jewish Heritage Month

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Washington - Hoping to highlight the contributions of Jewish culture to the nation, a determined band of South Floridians is leading a campaign to create an American Jewish History Month.

With backing from Congress and President Bush, their dream appears headed for reality. This month and every January, schoolchildren throughout Florida study the long, sometimes painful, but always productive Jewish history of their state. An American Jewish history month would expand that cross-cultural experience on a national scale.

Prompted by U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Weston, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution urging the president to proclaim an American Jewish History Month. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., plans to push the same resolution through the Senate.