Dear Representative Grayson:

On behalf of the Anti-Defamation League, I am writing to object and raise concerns about your comparison of deficiencies in America's health care system to a "holocaust in America."

No matter how dire one's objections to health care or any other policy, invoking the Holocaust, the Nazi effort to exterminate the Jewish people, is offensive and has no place in a civil political discourse. We are aware that last night on the Rachel Maddow show you stated that referencing the Holocaust "may not have been the best choice of words." But it is worse than a poor choice of words. Using the Holocaust as an analogy for flaws in the current health care ystem is inappropriate and serves only to trivialize the murder of six million Jews and millions of others. Suggesting an equivalence between government inaction or a policy failure and the Holocaust demonstrates a profound lack of understanding of this unique tragedy in human history and is an affront to Holocaust survivors and to the memory of its victims.

We respect your right to engage in vigorous debate about the current health care system. However, we urge you to retract your statements and reject such odious comparisons in the future.

Sincerely,

Andrew L. Rosenkranz
Florida Regional Director
Anti-Defamation League 

Dear Andrew:

I enjoyed our conversation yesterday.  I just wanted to re-iterate my thoughts regarding people's concerns over my recent statement on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

I am Jewish and have relatives who died in the Holocaust.  In no way did I mean to minimize the Holocaust.  I regret the choice of words, and I will not repeat it.  I am a staunch supporter of Israel and on numerous occasions, I have said that Iran must be restrained to avoid another Holocaust.  I personally support the Anti-Defamation League and its work.
With Regards,
 
Alan Grayson
Member of Congress