[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 48 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 48

  Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Anne Frank.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 5, 2005

   Mr. Israel (for himself, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Wexler, Mr. Chabot, Mr. 
   Berman, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Pence, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Ms. 
Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Wolf, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Hastings of Florida, Mr. King of New York, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Crowley, Mr. 
Al Green of Texas, Mr. Franks of Arizona, Mr. Wynn, Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Van 
   Hollen, Mr. Platts, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Fossella, Mrs. McCarthy, Mr. 
   McCotter, Mr. Bishop of New York, Mr. Otter, and Ms. Schwartz of 
  Pennsylvania) introduced the following joint resolution; which was 
               referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
  Conferring honorary citizenship of the United States on Anne Frank.

Whereas the United States has conferred honorary citizenship on only 5 occasions 
        in its more than 200 years, and honorary citizenship is and should 
        remain an extraordinary honor neither lightly conferred nor frequently 
        granted;
Whereas one of the reasons the United States was at war with Nazi Germany in 
        World War II was because the Nazis persecuted and killed millions of 
        innocent Jews, Slavs, Gypsies, homosexuals, political opponents, and 
        members of other minority groups;
Whereas the Nazis put to death approximately 1,500,000 Jewish children, 
        including the young diarist, Anne Frank;
Whereas Anne Frank's diary, published by her father after the war, has sold more 
        than 31 million copies worldwide, has been translated into more than 67 
        languages, and is one of the most widely read memoirs of the Holocaust;
Whereas generations of Americans of all faiths have read ``The Diary of Anne 
        Frank'', learned of her struggle and great courage, and been inspired by 
        her story;
Whereas ``The Diary of Anne Frank'' is the ideal tool for Holocaust education, 
        and is the first educational encounter with the Holocaust for many 
        American students;
Whereas ``The Diary of Anne Frank'' has helped many young people in dealing with 
        issues of discrimination and bigotry, and continues to serve as an 
        enduring beacon of bravery, hope, and tolerance in the face of brutal 
        conditions;
Whereas Anne Frank has come to represent the victims of the Holocaust, the 
        1,500,000 Jewish children denied the chance to leave a lasting mark on 
        the world, and all of the children throughout the world faced with 
        situations of war, subjugation, and oppression;
Whereas the legacy of Anne Frank serves as a reminder that Americans must be 
        informed, committed citizens of this Nation and the world in order to 
        prevent future genocides and similar atrocities; and
Whereas by virtue of this resolution, Anne Frank becomes the first young adult 
        to be granted honorary citizenship, and is recognized as a great hero, 
        an inspiration, and an example for all, especially for the young people 
        of this Nation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,  That Anne Frank is proclaimed 
posthumously to be an honorary citizen of the United States.
                                 <all>