E840 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 17, 2002 game; and Russo giving the elder George wards—went to dinner, played gold, baseball, GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER Bush putting tips on Air Force 2. basketball. Because we were all personal JOSCHKA FISCHER’S REMARK- And one of Russo’s newborn grand- friends, we were able to get a lot more ac- ABLE DISCUSSION OF ANTI-SEMI- daughter. complished.’’ No, Marty Russo doesn’t take his famous TISM AND GERMANY’S UNIQUE Stretching the idea of fraternizing with friends or his family for granted. RELATIONSHIP WITH ISRAEL ‘‘When I sit back and think about where I one’s colleagues to the limits, Russo and grew up, the neighborhood I cam from and three other Democrats lived together five days a week for 10 years. He was the first to HON. TOM LANTOS what a tough struggle my parents had, I am OF CALIFORNIA overwhelmed,’’ the 58-year-old said. ‘‘I am a move into his friend Rep. George Miller’s (D- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES first-generation Italian American, and for Calif.) two-bedroom house at 127 D St. S.E. me to have friends like the president of the in 1982, claiming the last bedroom. Shortly Thursday, May 16, 2002 United States is a pretty big deal.’’ after, then Rep. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) abandoned his basement quarters to inhabit Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to Russo was elected to Congress in 1974 as share with my colleagues a particularly insight- part of the post-Watergate, reform-oriented Miller’s living room. Believing that three class. In a win that Russo himself describes Congressmen in one house just wasn’t ful article by Joschka Fischer, Federal Foreign as ‘‘extremely lucky,’’ the 6-foot-3 native of enough, Miller moved his piano out of the Minister of Germany. He discusses the unique Chicago’s Little Italy section embarked on bay window to make room for then Rep. relationship between the Federal Republic of what would become an 18-year stint in the Leon Panetta (D-Calif.). Germany and the State of Israel. The article House. ‘‘It was the best 10 years ever spent; it was was published on May 13 of this week in the But what Russo deemed the ‘‘best years of like a little fraternity house with the four of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, one of Ger- my life’’ came to a bitter end in the 1992 Illi- us. Now Chuck is a Senator, George is still in many’s most distinguished newspapers. nois primary. Redistricting forced him to the House, and Leon became Clinton’s chief The Federal Republic of Germany is not the run against fellow Democratic incumbent of staff. So I guess the house did all right.’’ Nazi Germany that perpetrated the Holocaust, and commuting friend Rep. William Lipin- ski. After losing the tightest race of his ca- Russo and his wife, Karen, moved to and the democratic and pluralistic government reer, Russo finished out his term while con- McLean, Va., in September 1997, capping off that has emerged in Germany since 1945 is templating the inevitable: What next? 24 years of weekly commutes. rightfully one of our closest and most impor- Following in the path paved by many be- Russo never believed that he would perma- tant allies and friends. Nevertheless, because fore him, Russo entered the realm of lob- nently make the move from his beloved of Germany’s history, the German government bying by accepting a position with Cassidy & hometown of Chicago. When his eldest son, has a special responsibility and a special rela- Associates, a government relations lobbying Tony, moved to Washington to begin work- tionship with the state of Israel. It also has a firm based in Washington. ing with Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) and his special responsibility to fight against intoler- ‘‘Two wonderful things happened to me in youngest son, Danny, was attending George- my life,’’ Russo said recently. ‘‘One was win- ance and racism. town University, both Russo and his wife re- Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to ning an election, one was losing an election. alized it was an easy decision to make. I had the greatest job in the world when I read Foreign Minister Fischer’s perceptive was a Member in Congress, and now I have Now, less than a month after the birth of comments thoughtfully and carefully. His sen- the second-greatest job in the world.’’ his first grandchild, the former lawmaker sitivity to the relationship between Germany Prohibited by law from lobbying Members happily lives just six minutes from his son’s and Israel and his criticism of the atmosphere family. An adoring grandfather, Russo finds for a year, Russo advised clients on political of anti-Semitism welling up in western Europe strategy, while learning the ins and outs of himself stopping by every night on his way business development and lobbying White home from work. reflects the finest of German culture and tradi- tion. I commend Foreign Minister Fischer for House officials. ‘‘I am really enjoying my granddaughter,’’ About making the transition to lobbying, Russo said. ‘‘I saw this bumper sticker a cou- his courageous and outspoken article. I wish Russo said, ‘‘The one thing you have to get ple of years ago that said, ‘If I’d known with all my heart that there were other such good at is learning how to ask.’’ grandkids would be this great, I would have prominent individuals who would be as bold Although Cassidy boasts clients such as had them first!’ And now I feel the same and outspoken and honest as Joschka Fisch- VoiceStream Wireless, Ocean Spray Cran- way!’’ er. I wish there were others who would speak berries Inc. and the Taiwan Studies Insti- out with such clarity and force against the anti- tute, it is the Chicago hospital where he was FIVE QUESTIONS treated as a boy that he holds closes to his Israel hysteria that is fast becoming anti-Se- heart. What are you most proud of from your ten- mitic frenzy in France and elsewhere in west- Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Cen- ure in Congress? ern Europe. ter, located on Chicago’s West Side, has been One of my proudest moments was when I Mr. Speaker, I ask that Foreign Minister the beneficiary of many government dollars introduced the national health care bill in Fischer’s article be placed in the RECORD, and thanks to Russo’s dedicated lobbying efforts. 1991, which then became a major issue in the again I urge my colleagues to read it thought- In a joint effort with Cook County Health 1992 presidential election. fully. Services of Chicago, the two hospitals cre- ated the Core Center, a four-story facility I think it . . . helped Democrats take back The Question Facing Germany: Can We that provides outpatient care to individuals the White House. Criticize Israel? and families with HIV/AIDS. The center fea- What do you miss the most? (By German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer) tures a screening clinic, pharmacy, coun- I miss the friendship on the Hill. Whether seling services and children’s playroom. you were a Democrat or a Republican, we BERLIN.—Germany remained silent, con- ‘‘I’ve seen [Cassidy & Associates] do a lot really got a lot of stuff done, and we did it spicuously silent considering the unspeak- of good for a lot of people,’’ Russo said. ‘‘And together. And I miss doing the policy. It’s an able statements made recently by Jurgen it’s been great working with Jerry Cassidy, enormous responsibility, but what a deal. Mollemann, the chairman of Free Democrats he’s like the Tip O’Neill of the lobbying busi- in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and ness.’’ What do you miss the least? the head of the German-Arab Society, and In 2000, Russo was promoted to vice chair- I don’t miss the travel, being away from those of like mind. man, president and chief operating officer at home. In his statements, Mr. Mollemann showed Cassidy. The key to Russo’s success? Draw- that he was a verbal resistance fighter ing from the many lessons he learned during Was there a particular Member whom you against corporation and bravely announced his days in the House. admired the most? that he, of course, would also attack the ag- ‘‘One of the critical things you learn when The Member I admired most in the House gressor in his own country. The heroic talk in Congress is that your word is very impor- was [then] Speaker Tip O’Neill [D-Mass.]. was directed at Israel, and Mr. Mollemann tant,’’ Russo said. ‘‘It’s all you have around And a close second was Rep. Danny Rosten- was referring to the Palestinian struggle here. So when I talk to Members I tell them kowski [D-Ill.] against the occupation. We, therefore, can the truth, because if you don’t, the next time safely assume that he was not calling on Do you have any advice for current Mem- you come back, they aren’t going to listen to Hamas to distribute leaflets to Israel, but bers? you.’’ justifying their terrorist bomb attacks. Russo advocates bipartisanship, saying a The best advice I can give is to understand There was no national outcry, no resigna- Congressman’s sole purpose is to make the that compromise is very important. As tion, nothing of the kind. Instead, Mr. government function better. Danny Rostenkowski always said, ‘‘You Westerwelle said it should be possible to ‘‘One of the key things was that I had was don’t have to throw a touchdown pass every criticize Israel without being accused of friends on both sides of the aisle. We could time you move legislation. You’ve just got anti-Semitism. argue and battle on the floor as much as we to move it down the field and eventually get Something seems to have changed in Ger- wanted, but then we got together after- it in the end zone.’’ many, and nobody notices this with greater

VerDate 112000 04:26 May 18, 2002 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A16MY8.041 pfrm01 PsN: E17PT1 May 17, 2002 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E841 authority and distress than German Jews. identity debate, but for coordinated action Jewish communities in Germany have They feel alone, again, and that ought not be by the international community, led by the grown perceptibly since German unification so. Not in Germany. United States and supported by Europe, to in 1990, largely as a result of immigration ‘‘Given anti-Semitism in Germany and Eu- break the spiral of violence and lead the par- from the former Soviet Union. New Jewish rope that is becoming more manifest in the ties of the conflict back to the negotiating schools are being built, German-speaking context of the Middle East conflict, the old table step by step. rabbis are once more being trained at the Damocles sword question once again hangs So why is there such fierce criticism of Jewish University in Heidelberg and the over the heads of Jews living in Germany: Israel here in Germany and in Europe? Why Abraham-Geiger College in Potsdam. And Was it right to stay in Germany?’’ When this is there such widespread bias? This is exactly still Mr. Korn calls the Jews in Germany a kind of warning comes from the pen of such what Mr. Korn’s warning addresses, and an attentive and sensitive observer of Ger- quite rightly. Given Germany’s history, crit- ‘‘source of continuing unease that is hard to man-Jewish relations as Solomon Korn icism of Israel always also reflects the men- define.’’ An unease, that some possibly try to (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung on May 6), tal state of our country. overcome by unconsciously—on the issue of it raises a question for each and every one of Fifty years ago, West German Chancellor the Middle East crisis—turning the descend- us and, indeed, the question of whether Ger- Konrad Adenauer and Israel’s first prime ents of the victims into perpetrators, believ- man democracy is credible. minister, David Ben Gurion, laid the founda- ing this could salve one’s conscience. But Mr. Korn, the leader of the Jewish commu- tions for relations between Israel and a this is a dangerous misconception, that, nity in Frankfurt, notes that many German democratic Germany that still apply today. under the slogan of presumed ‘‘normaliza- Jews have felt abandoned in recent months. Since then, German democracy has—occa- tion,’’ can end only in the abyss of anti-Sem- He describes how it feels to be viewed as sionally in the face of some resistance—ac- itism. ‘‘collectively liable’’ for any action taken by cepted Germany’s continuing historical re- The unconscious mechanism of transfer- Israel against the Palestinians. And he also sponsibility for the genocide of German and refers to the very understandable ‘‘old trau- European Jewry, and this responsibility is ring guilt to Israel’s policy in the Middle mas’’ and ‘‘barely healed emotional wounds’’ the firm and central founding stone of Ger- East will not release Germany from responsi- that German criticism of Israel never ceases man democracy after 1945. bility for its history. One should not even at- to evoke there. ‘‘Were the same criticisms of This was the only way for trust to grow be- tempt that, for it will end in disaster. The Israel expressed by Americans, for instance, tween the former perpetrators and victims. only response to our history must be a posi- it would hurt far less than when expressed by Only on this basis could a chance for new co- tive one: a growing Jewish community in the Germans . . .’’ Why do such obvious existence emerge from what historian Dan Germany with Jewish people who can live things need to be explicitly stated again Diner called the ‘‘negative symbiosis.’’ No here in freedom and safety as citizens—and today? line can be drawn under Germany’s histor- not as ‘‘fellow citizens!’’—of our republic. ical and moral responsibility for the destruc- Strictly speaking, what is at issue is the The extent to which we succeed in sup- tion of European Jewry. It forms the basis of conflict between Israel and its Arab neigh- porting and promoting the life and well- bors. But on a different level, whenever Germany’s social obligation to uphold the right of existence and security for Israel and being of Jewish communities in Germany is Israel is discussed in Germany, the funda- also a yardstick of our ability to create an mental debate about German identity is its citizens. This responsibility is not a mat- ter of current political constellations, but a open and tolerant society. For that reason, never far behind. ‘‘Can we criticize Israel?’’ each and every instance of anti-Semitism is The mere question raises suspicion because, permanent principle of German policy. Israel can rely on democratic Germany as not only a threat to Jews in Germany, but of course, we can and indeed sometimes must a partner and friend, now and in the future. also to our society and our democracy as a criticize the politics of the Israeli govern- Our obligations, our ties and the fact the ice whole. ‘‘Is it right to stay in Germany?’’ The ment. Nowhere is this done more forcefully remains thin even after 50 years must be re- than in Israel itself. Every democratically ease or difficulty with which our Jewish spected by all criticism in Germany that elected government makes mistakes and is, compatriots are able to answer yes to this does not aim to destroy what has been built by definition, subject to criticism. question depends crucially on whether they since Konrad Adenauer and David Ben In the Middle East, a tragic conflict is es- can live perfectly ‘‘normally’’ as Jews in Gurion began. calating. Two peoples are fighting for the Germany and as Germans. Otherwise, criticism not only would cause same land, and only a historical compromise harm, but also increasingly compromise Ger- Nevertheless, the German-Jewish relation- based on the formula ‘‘two states, one many’s capacity to help the search for a just ship will always remain a very special thing. peace’’, will be able to solve this conflict. peace in the Middle East. Or, to put it dif- This is why there is a need for sensitivity The current situation inspires little hope. ferently: Criticism is possibly only on the and unrelenting self-scrutiny. Only once Israel feels threatened by continuing Pales- firm foundation of indelible solidarity—and there is natural togetherness can there be tinian terror. At Camp David in the summer there have been things in recent months that criticism that does not attack the precarious of 2000, so the Israeli view, Israel offered the do compel Israel’s friends to express criti- Palestinians a state of their own and was German-Jewish relationship at its roots. And cism in the interest of Israel itself. hence, silence about current events in the given the second Intifada in return. Since But there is a second issue that weighs just Middle East, Germany and Europe, which then, Israel has been fighting for its survival as heavily as Germany’s special relationship rightly distresses many Jews in Germany, is once again, for a life in safety and in recog- with Israel. It concerns ourselves, Germany nized borders. The Palestinians finally want and us Germans. Do we actually comprehend impossible. an end to the Israeli occupation, to the con- what Nazi barbarism and its genocidal anti- Are the Jews in our own country strangers tinued building of Israeli settlements and to Semitism did to us, to Germany, its people to us? Even today? What can we do against the loss of territory. They are fighting for and its culture? What Hitler and the Nazis this mixture of unsparing frankness and their own state, for a life in dignity. How- did to Germany’s Jews they did first and speechlessness that Mr. Korn complains of ever, after the Camp David talks broke foremost to Germans, to Germans of the between Jews and non-Jews in Germany? down, the agonizing question in Israel re- Jewish faith! Albert Einstein was as much a This challenge cannot be turned into a his- mains whether the Palestinian leadership in German as was Max Planck. The Nazis ex- torical issue; it will not fade with time. On the end does not want more and indeed some- cluded an entire group of our own people, de- the contrary, criticism of Israel that is thing entirely different. prived them of their rights, dispossessed founded on the obligation imposed on us by The right of pre-1967 refugees to return to them, humiliated and then finally expelled Israel, the terror deployed to force Israel to or murdered them. our history, on trust and friendship is not accept false compromises, the demographic This is why the question whether German anti-Semitism—and it does not force German factor that works against Israel, the fear for Jews feel secure in our democracy and, Jews to unconditionally support everything the Jewish character of Israel and the fear of though even today this can only be a hope, that is democratically decided in Israel. a bi-national Palestine and the dissolution of might one day be able to feel ‘‘at home’’ in Under no circumstances can we permit the Israel as a Jewish state as the long term goal it again, is not a minor one, but a question tragic conflict in the Middle East that pits of Yasser Arafat’s Palestine Liberation Orga- par excellence about the credibility of Ger- the legitimate aspirations and rights of two nization—these are Israeli fears right across man democracy. peoples apparently irreconcilably against When Germany sent its Jewish citizens to the political spectrum. each other to be used as an instrument for The Palestinians fear that Israel wants to Auschwitz and other extermination camps force them to make further territorial con- from platform 17 of the Berlin-Grunewald domestic political ends. Those who practice cessions, though in their view, by accepting station and countless other ramps and en- such methods to capture a mood and votes, the borders of June 4, 1967, they are riched itself with their worldly good, it those who wish to dispose of German history, contenting themselves with 22 percent of the robbed itself, its culture and society. Ger- as it were, by a detour to the Middle East, land. Land for peace is the only possible many has been unable to close this wound in- and those who hit the wrong note by mis- compromise formula. Radical Israelis want flicted by the Nazis to the present day. The conceived reaction must be opposed by all peace and land, while radical Palestinians Holocaust monument will be a symbol of this those who perceive German unity as freedom want land without peace. Neither will work. loss that Germany inflicted on itself through to accept responsibility and not act as an es- This tragic and extremely dangerous situa- its barbarity to its own citizens, the effects cape into a supposedly harmless ‘‘nor- tion is not really appropriate for a German of which are still being felt today. mality.’’

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