Senator John Kerry Receives AJC Congressional Leadership Award

American Jewish Committee
Friday, 5 May 2000

The American Jewish Committee presented Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) with its Congressional Leadership Award this week in recognition of his work as an "independent leader" on issues that concern ethnic and religious minorities.

"Senator Kerry has been extremely active on causes of great concern to the American Jewish Committee," said AJC President Bruce M. Ramer who presented the award. "He has cosponsored legislation to prevent violence against women, including immigrant women and their families, legislation to strengthen hate crimes, and to protect religious freedom worldwide."

The American Jewish Committee has spearheaded an interreligious coalition working closely with Senator Kerry on the Workplace Religious Freedom Act.

"I would like to thank AJC for its advocacy on issues such as the Workplace Religious Freedom Act and on accountability for war crimes," Senator Kerry said.

Senator Kerry spoke about his recent return from Cambodia where he helped create a joint tribunal between Cambodia and the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal. He called this effort a "different type of politics – judging war crimes under the watch of the international community," and cited AJC as a leading organization supporting such endeavors.

"I thank AJC for your passion for these issues," said Senator Kerry, "for your extraordinarily progressive risk-taking, for your involvement in the peace process, for your forward-thinking role in the world and for fighting to make the world a safe and better place."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org