Not too long ago, President Donald Trump appointed Paul Packer, a prominent member of the New York Jewish community, as chairman of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad.

The commission was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1985, to encourage and facilitate the preservation and restoration of monuments, cemeteries, historic buildings and other important sites associated with US history.

Recently, President Donald Trump declared May as Jewish American Heritage Month, continuing a tradition that first began in 1980 as a week dedicated to American Jewry, and in 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed May as Jewish American Heritage Month, an initiative led by Representative Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and the late Senator Arlen Specter. A month-long series of events has been held annually, with exhibits and talks at museums and other cultural institutions highlighting the contributions of Jews to American culture, including the arts, science, medicine, sports, business, government, and military service.

Congress too, hosts an annual celebration focused on Jewish Heritage where several prominent Jewish–Americans are recognized for their service. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Tim Kaine and Congressman John Faso in a bi–partisan fashion praised Paul Packer, chairman of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad for his accomplishments associated with preserving the foreign heritage of United States citizens.

Mr. Packer aptly capsulized the sentiments of Jewish Heritage month and the role of the United States in preserving America’s Heritage Abroad: “The fact is many of us have been lucky, I’ve lived my entire life in a country that not only allows one to celebrate my heritage, but it includes it as a part of the Nation’s mosaic” reiterating his pledge to continue to provide the leadership required to fulfill the mandate and mission of the Commission.