WASHINGTON - Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin has joined with Helsinki Commission leaders in introducing a Resolution condemning anti-Semitism and related violence which has sharply increased in Europe, Russia and the former Soviet Republics.

As a Commissioner on the Helsinki Commission, the Congressman has been outspoken in urging the 55 member states of the Commission and the U.S. Congress to condemn all forms of anti-Semitism. The Helsinki Commission monitors economic security and human rights throughout Europe.

"Anti-Semitism, xenophobia, and racial or ethnic hatred have been the scourge of the 20th Century. We as a nation should join other international organizations in condemning anti-Semitism and in working to educate all people to the harmful, lasting results of such hatred," said Rep. Cardin.

In recent years, there has been a sharp increase of anti-Semitism in Europe. Jewish cemeteries, synagogues, and cultural institutions have been vandalized. There also have been fire bombings, gunfire and mob assaults, including the stabbing a a Jewish rabbi in Paris.

"The Helsinki Commission members have been outspoken in urging member states to take aggressive action to stop anti-Semitism. It's important that members of the U.S. Congress also show the world that anti-Semitism and racial and ethnic hatred are unacceptable."

The Congressman recently attended a parliamentary session of the Helsinki Commission and voted on passage of a similar resolution condemn anti-Semitism.

In addition to Rep. Cardin, co-sponsors for the Senate and House Resolutions are Helsinki Commissioners Sens. Gordon H. Smith, R-OR, Hillary Clinton, D-NY, Reps. Frank Wolf, R-VA, Steny Hoyer, D-MD, Zach Wamp, Lousie M. Slaughter, D-NY, Robert Aderholt, R-AL, Alcee Hastings, D-FL and Tom Lantos, D-CA.