Remarks by the President to a Jewish American Heritage Reception
Posted By richards on May 31, 2012
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 30, 2012
East Room
5:17 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! (Applause.) Well, welcome to the White House, everybody. I hope you're having fun. Excellent.
I want to recognize Ambassador Michael Oren, and thank him for his work representing our great friend, the state of Israel. I want to recognize and thank all the members of Congress and the members of my administration who are here today. I want to thank our musical guests, Rak Shalom. (Applause.) I was just meeting with all of them back there -- they said they did quite a few numbers. And they were outstanding, I know.
This year, we celebrate Jewish Heritage Month -- Jewish American Heritage Month, and we're also commemorating an important anniversary. One hundred-fifty years ago, General Ulysses Grant issued an order - known as General Orders Number 11 - that would have expelled Jews, as a class, from what was then known as the military department of the Tennessee. It was wrong. Even if it was 1862, even if official acts of anti-Semitism were all too common around the world, it was wrong and indicative of an ugly strain of thought.
But what happened next could have only taken place in America. Groups of American Jews protested General Grants decision. A Jewish merchant from Kentucky traveled here, to the White House, and met with President Lincoln in person. After their meeting, President Lincoln revoked the order -- one more reason why we like President Lincoln. (Laughter and applause.)
See more here:
Remarks by the President to a Jewish American Heritage Reception
