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House passes bill lauding contributions of Einstein, Sandy Koufax, other Jews

“From the arts to science to politics and more, our Jewish community has left an indelible impact on our country,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.), who led the bill.

Sandy Koufax
Baseball pitcher Sandy Koufax on June 1, 1963. Credit: Leigh Wiener via Wikipedia.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill unanimously on Monday that celebrates American Jewish achievements in science, sports, entertainment and government, among other areas.

“Just a few days after the conclusion of Jewish American Heritage Month, I proudly helped lead and pass this bipartisan legislation, which honors the great contributions our Jewish American community has made to our entire country,” stated Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D.N.J.), who led the legislation.

“From the arts to science to politics and more, our Jewish community has left an indelible impact on our country,” he said. “I am immensely proud to represent the Jewish American community—my community—in Congress.”

H.R. 1215 singles out Albert Einstein, polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk, astronomer Vera Rubin, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Jewish baseball players Sandy Koufax and Hank Greenberg.

It also notes Prag Kahn, the first Jewish woman to serve in Congress, and Julius Rosenwald, “who partnered with Booker T. Washington to invest in the education of black students and built thousands of schools for black students in 15 states in the South.”

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