[inaudible conversations]. Ladies and gentlemen, a very good morning. Welcome to your nations capitol, the subcommittee on Early Childhood and secondary information will come to order. And the chair is authorized to call a recess at anytime. The holocaust ended in 1945, the hate behind it has not. Antisemitism is repugnant in all its forms, but the topic of the hearing is troubling. Its hard to grasp that antisemitism has become in our k through 12 schools. And some of the young minds, who has conditioned them to attack the jewish people. The very need for this hearing is a travesty. The aftermath of october 7th has the ugliest ideas, once marginalized, and failed to stop it. Its not just antiisrael, its antiamerica, its antidemocracy. Three of our witnesses represent some of the Largest School districts in the nation where theres been some vile antisemitism in their districts. Just a few minutes ago we heard from communities, parents and even a teacher who said this is happening without an appropriate or any response at all. Jewish students in their districts fear riding the bus. Wearing kippa to school or eating and breathing as a jewish student. Today we get to hear from the leaders to tell us what are you doing, what are they doing to keep your students safe and new york the most vibrant Jewish Community. And reports are harrowing, that students are marching through the halls saying kill the jews. And one was there were swastikas drawn on the walls. And its just 15 mimes from here, mpsc schools, featuring calls, kill the jews, bring hitler back and administrators excused absences for the walkout and Berkeley Unified School district was thrust into the National Spotlight in perhaps the most public spotlight of the group. The allegations are most serious. While not exhaustive, the details of the piece includes kids playing nazi salute songs, chants of kill israel and kkk and telling jewish students to pick up pennies. Ill tell you what my questions are to the witnesses, what are you doing to keep students safe and how can we stop this . How can we stop this . Youve been accused of doing nothing and turning a blind eye. Were going to give you a chance to say exactly what youre doing and what are you doing to keep students safe. Middle and High School Students are hard enough. Its just hard enough being a kid in middle and high School Without the added fear of being jewish. I can hardly fathom sending one of my kids to school with discreme nation and hatefilled threats. This is a stand against hate and indoctrination of the future leader. With that ill yield to the Ranking Member for the owning statement. Thank you, mr. Chairman. And we must do everything to combat antisemitism, not just in schools, but more. And for students that are threatened, harassed and attacked because of who they are. Every student deserves to feel safe and be safe at school. At the same time, we must do more to address the rise in islamophobia and other forms of discrimination and hate as well. Ive said multiple times, i hope the committee will work to address the scourge of antisemitism. And we Seek Solutions that recognize the seriousness and the scope of the challenge, the importance of keeping students safe at schools. And the need to balance the civil rights of students to be free from discrimination under title six of the Civil Rights Act with the First Amendment right to free speech and expression. This is the Education Committee and i hope we will discuss the Important Role of education and importantly, prevention. In fact, at the top of the list on the biden administrations u. S. National strategy to combat antisemitism is to increase School Age Education of antisemitism and including the holocaust. Antisemitism is not a new problem, and theyve been working on it for decades. The American Judiciary Committee has an action plan with a tool kit and lesson plans and teaching materials are widely available for like the u. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. And requiring studies with age appropriate curriculum available. And i remember thanking lie late friend who when he was in his 80s and early 90s, told survival to hundreds of awed audiences, and places of worships, prisons and clubs, and personally from his book, from a name to a number. Thats the unforgettable education that made a difference, made his memory be a blessing. I want to emphasize strongly its important for leaders to stand up to antisemitism no matter where it comes from. Many of my colleagues claim to care about the rise of antisemitism in this country, but when White Supremacists marched in charlottesville, jews will not replace us, the president said there were fine people on each side. And nick fuentes, has denied the holocaust, while comparing jews killed in concentration camps it cookies baked in an oven. And president trumps then chief of staff said that the president spoke favorably about hitler, including that hitler had done some good things and a few moments ago, any jewish person that votes for democrats, hates their religion. Despite the persistent examples of comments that others have called antisemitism and relationship for antisemites, ive not heard one word of concern from my colleagues across the aisle, if wii colleagues care about antisemitism, they would condemn these comments by leaders of the party. And i will offer to them to condemn the previous comments, doing anyone have the courage to stand up against this . Let the record show that no one spoke up at this time. I look forward to the testimony and conversation today again with the hope that we can have a constructive dialog how to fight back against antisemitism so all students can be safe and feel safe, whether thats a k12 school, a college or a university. Thank you very much. Committee members who wish to insert written statements am i do so submitting them to the committee clerk, electronically and microsoft word format and may 22nd, 2024. The hearing record will remain open for 14 days to allow such statements after the materials following the hearing be recorded for the official record. For the subcommittee there are members of colleagues that are not a permanent part of the subcommittee who may be waving on for the purposes of the days hearing. Now lets get to the introduction of our distinguished panel. Our first witness is mr. David banks, chancellor of the new york city Public Schools for the new York City Department of education in new york, new york. The new york the new york city Public Schools is the largest, the largest system in the nation. He was appointed by mayor eric adams on january 1st, 2022, but started his career as a School Safety officer after which he began his first teaching job at ps, Public School 167. Chancellor banks served as assistant principal before he was for law, and justice. And hes a native new yorker and graduate of the new york Public School system. And has a bachelor, and from st. Johns law. And our second witness, is the president of the Montgomery County board of education for the Montgomery CountyPublic Schools in rockville, maryland. Elected to a second fouryear term on november 8th, 2022. Currently serving a second term as the board of education. And she worked as a collaborative in pennsylvania, working loor handson Science Education in West Philadelphia schools. She served as vicepresident for children and youth for a large nonprofit managing prevented school year and summer youth programs, and graduated from Florida State university with a bachelors degree in biology and received her masters degree in education from the university of pennsylvania. Greetings from the sunshine state, were glad to see where you are, lets yield for introduction of a witness. Welcome to the committee. Emerson sikes, the staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties union who works on the project. Focuses on First Amendment free speech protections and a Legal Advisor for africa at the International Center for nonprofit law and serves as assistant general counsel to the new york city council. Holds a Political Science degree, a masters from princeton studies and juris doctor. And our next we will break away from this moment momentarily to bring you a brief Senate Session and well have more from an antisemitism hearing in just a moment. The presiding officer the senate will come to order. The clerk will read a the clerk will read a assume come to the senate under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3, of the standing rules of the senate, i hereby appoint the i hereby appoint the the clerk will be signed patty murray, president pro tempore. President pro tempore. Indication stands adjourned until 10 30 a. M. , tuesday, lawmakers will be back next month to resume legislative work. We take it back now to the hearing on antisemitism on campus. I want to recognize you of your responsibility to provide Accurate Information to the subcommittee. With that, lets get started. Its now play should recognize mr. Banks force fiveminute testimony. Welcome. You are recognized. [inaudible] okay. Hope i didnt lose my time. [inaudible] [laughing] thank you sok much again. Good morning, chairwoman fox, chairman bean, Ranking Member scott, Ranking Member bonamici, and distinguish memories of the committee and subcommittee. Thank you for inviting me to address the horrific ricin at the semitism, the number one religious base hate crime in america. Also want to thank rabbi joseph, michaeljo cohen and the reverend for joining me here today. Today i will share how we are confronting discourage of antisemitism in a new city Public Schools. The New City School system which earned nations largest is a a kindred of over 1 Million Students and staff. We speak over 180 different languages in our schools. Our diversity however means our classrooms are not insulated from the global stage. Since october 7 our students and staff, jewish and muslim, israeli and palestinian, have suffered immensely. I, too, have felt deep pain reflected on my own two trips to israel with theps jewish communy relations council. Again and again my mind has returned to my visit, i profoundly moving experience for me. In the immediate aftermath of october 7, new york city mayor adams made remarks condemning the terrorrf attacks. I sent messages to our School Community strongly condemning the heinous acts of hamas. But words are not enough. There have been unacceptable incidents of antisemitism in our schools. When jewish students or teachers feel unwelcome or unsafe, that should sound the alarm for us all. By recognize the urgency of addressing this crisis fromng my seat. As an educator of 30 plus years, as the leader of the system nurturing the next generation of new yorkers. It is not only my job to produce good readers and writers. Our schools must also build good people, people who demonstrate respect and appreciation for our shared humanity. When it comes to rooting out antisemitism, our Public Schools must be part of the answer appear. Let me tell you about a work tor meet this moment which i will focus on safety, education, and education. Number one, safety is a precondition for learning. I started my career as a School Safety officer, and my father was a proud decades long officer of the new city leased department. Keeping the school safe in my dna. When at the semitism rears its head, i believe we r must respo, and we have. We have removed, disciplined, or are in a process of disciplining at least a l dozen staff and School Leaders, including removing a principal in the middle of the school year. We have suspended at least 30 students. Weve involve the nypd when hate crimes are committed, and we retrained all 1600 vegetables on our discipline code to ensure that it is enforced properly. Secondly, weve engaged dozens of partners to help us design longerterm solutions. My instinct as a leader in moments of crisis is never to shy away from at issue, rather to lean into it, to understand it better. New york city is home to the largest jewishmu community outse of israel, and many of the nations foremost jewish hinstitutions so we have strengthened our relationships with his partnerse which include the uj federation, the j. C. Rc, the Antidefamation League, the Simon Wiesenthal center, museum of tolerance, the Jewish Childrens Museum, project witness, and many more. I also launched for the first time in ourd history and interstate Advisory Council because we must model for our students how to build bridges, engage in genuine dialogue, and share each others pain in challenging times. And finally education. We cannot simply discipline our way out of this problem. The true antidote to ignorance and buys is to teach. My own children about at the semitism firsthand from our nextdoor neighbors who were Holocaust Survivors in teaneck, new jersey. Yet as survivors pass on and the light of current events, the need for education becomes even more pressing. Our students cannot group toos view anyone as the other. So in addition to covering the holocaust and eight, ten, anh, grade were crating a robust holocaust educator guide with the museum of jewish heritage and building a brandnew curriculum highlightli and the culture and contributions of the Jewish Community. Because the history of the jewish people extends far beyond the holocaust. Weve also partner with the office of the prevention of hate crimes and then you hate crimes curriculum. Weve expanded our at the semitism resources and workshops. Finally, let me just say this. At new york city Public Schools where focus on our charge to fight hate and foster inclusion through safety, engagement and education. Were working hard and grab a long way to go. Theres always more to do. I hope inpe new york we can be candle in the darkness. Thank you. Thank you very much, mr. Banks. Ms. Silvestre, youre recognize for five minutes. Welcome. Chairman bean, Ranking Member bonamici, members of the subcommittee, good morning. My name is carlos silva screen and im the president of the board of education for Montgomery CountyPublic Schools in maryland. Appreciate the oppo speak with you today about our efforts to address antisemitism in our School System. Let me begin by assuring the Committee Board of education is committed to combating antisemitism, hate speech and racism wherever and whenever we see it. I cant tell you weve gotten it right every time, but as a board, we are committed to working with our administrators and our communities to constantly improve the processes and outcomes. Montgomery county Public Schools are the largest in the country with 160,000 students and nearly 25,000 employees. We are one of the most diverse districts in the nation and our families and students come from every major religion and ethnicity and to speak over 162 languages. More than a third of the county residents are foreignborn. In Montgomery County we have elected our time with of the the governance and oversight role. At the standard for the achievement and accountability. Our core mission is education. This is the lens through which we approach the relationship of Student Employees and the committee. This is the perspective i bring to todays hearing. I also bring the perspective of my history when i was just eight i came to this country to escape the violence stemming from guatemala civil war. I became a proud u. S. Citizen in 2007 and went on to be elected to serve on the board of education by the citizens of Montgomery County. Im also the parent of a student in our School System and incidents of antisemitism and hate based language are extremely important to me. With that in mind i know the committee is aware of recent press reports and public complaints around antisemitic imagery, language and vandalism in the district. Let me be clear we do not shy away from imposing consequences for hatebased behavior including antisemitism. Our policies to initiate an investigation each time the School System receives a complaint or we witness particular racist language or actions. There are a range of consequences for teachers and staff and as our investigation blamed as a staff member cannot