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RECOGNIZING THE TZEDEK ASSOCIATION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a proud American. In 1776, our Founding Fathers proposed e pluribus unum, ``Out of many, we are one,'' for the first Great Seal of our country. It can be found on our currency, on buildings, and in the seal of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sadly, this fundamental value is rarely seen in today's day and age. I am proud because I have come across an American faith-based organization that should serve as an example to all of us and this principle of e pluribus unum.
I am referring to the Tzedek Association. Recently, though they are of a completely different faith, and though this is really outside the purview of what they normally do, Tzedek has dedicated itself to saving the people from Afghanistan.
The Tzedek Association is a Jewish national nonprofit that advocates for criminal justice reform and religious liberty and fights for humanitarian cases throughout the globe.
Tzedek championed the First Step Act, as well as other commonsense criminal justice reforms. In fact, the president and founder of Tzedek, Rabbi Moshe Margaretten, was honored by former President Trump and the First Lady with the lighting of the menorah at the White House Hanukkah party in recognition of Tzedek's contribution to prison reform.
After the Taliban took over Kabul, it came to Tzedek's attention that the last remaining Jew of Afghanistan was in danger of being killed. They were requested to utilize their political connections to save his life. One thing led to another, and this led to Tzedek coordinating the escape of dozens and dozens of Afghans.
Let me stress the novelty of this: An Orthodox Jewish organization, led by Orthodox rabbis, is working day and night to save the lives of Muslims, Christians, and people of other faiths--mostly many women and children--because they clearly live by the value ``out of many, we are one.''
Tzedek has thus far coordinated the rescue of female judges, orphans, translators, and other individuals who helped the United States and the U.K. in the war on terror. They also saved the lives of female soccer players, who are at risk of being killed by the Taliban simply because they have chosen to play this global sport.
They recently led an effort to save two pregnant women who were high-
risk targets, one of whom gave birth to a healthy baby girl just 3 days after being rescued. And yes, they also saved the last remaining Afghanistan Jew, Zebulun Simantov.
But along with him, they rescued 30 other people, religious minorities who were at risk of persecution just because of their faith. To accomplish all of this, Tzedek has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars, all of which has come from the Jewish community. It is awe-
inspiring and a lesson to us in Washington and to those all across the world that we must come together more often for the greater good.
Despite our differences, we must unite as creations of an Almighty God and do what we can together to make this world a better place.
Recognizing Troop 60 of Papillion
Mr. BACON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Boy Scout Troop 60 of Papillion, Nebraska, for their efforts to partner with the city of Papillion to preserve the community's historic 100-year-old Boy Scout cabin.
Originally formed in 1913 as Troop 1, they began building the log cabin in 1921 under the leadership of Scoutmaster Reverend B. Johansen to be used as the troop's headquarters. In June 1922, the Papillion community dedicated the Scout cabin, and it has been in continuous use ever since.
The cabin is an iconic local landmark in Papillion's City Park, celebrating pride in both Scouting and the community. It is believed that this Scout cabin could be one of the oldest Scout cabins in continuous use west of the Mississippi. Troop 60 recently finished renovation of the historic cabin, preserving it for another 100 years and for generations to come.
This restoration was part of the Papillion 150 celebration. Papillion 150 was a community movement that recognized the city of Papillion's 150th anniversary, having grown from an 1870s railroad town that was on the mainline of the Union Pacific Railroad to now being one of the fastest growing cities in Nebraska.
I also recognize the troop's longtime sponsor, the Harry Bossard American Legion Post 32, which has mentored Troop 60 to be the shining example of positive impacts of Scouting. Throughout Troop 60's history, it is estimated that over 200 individuals have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and many of those have gone on to become leaders throughout the community of Papillion, the State of Nebraska, the military, and even in the Halls of Congress with our own chief of staff, Mark Dreiling.
Madam Speaker, I salute Troop 60 of Papillion.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 188
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