[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 96 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]

  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 96

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Whereas on May 12, 2008, Irena Sendler, a living example of social justice, died 
        at the age of 98;
Whereas Irena Sendler repeatedly risked her life during the Holocaust to rescue 
        over 2,500 Jewish children who lived in the Warsaw ghetto in Poland from 
        Nazi extermination;
Whereas Irena Sendler was inspired by her father, a physician who treated poor 
        Jewish patients, to dedicate her life to others;
Whereas Irena Sendler became an activist at the start of World War II, heading 
        the clandestine group Zegota and driving an underground movement that 
        provided safe passage for Jews from the Warsaw ghetto who faced disease, 
        execution, or deportation to concentration camps;
Whereas Irena Sendler became 1 of the most successful workers within Zegota, 
        taking charge of the children's division and using her senior position 
        with the welfare department in Warsaw to gain access to and from the 
        ghetto to build a network of allies to help ferry Jewish children from 
        the Warsaw ghetto;
Whereas Irena Sendler was arrested by the Gestapo on October 20, 1943, tortured, 
        and sentenced to death by firing squad;
Whereas Irena Sendler never revealed details of her contacts, escaped from 
        Pawiak prison, and continued her invaluable work with Zegota;
Whereas in 1965, Irena Sendler was recognized as ``Righteous Among the Nations'' 
        by the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel;
Whereas in 2006, Irena Sendler was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize;
Whereas Irena Sendler was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, the highest 
        civilian decoration in Poland;
Whereas ``Tzedek: The Righteous'', a documentary film, and ``Life in a Jar'', a 
        play about the rescue efforts made by Irena Sendler, chronicle the life 
        of Irena Sendler;
Whereas Irena Sendler, a woman who risked everything for the lives of others and 
        whose bravery is unimaginable to many, expressed guilt for not being 
        able to do more for the Jewish people; and
Whereas the story of Irena Sendler reminds citizens of the United States and the 
        world community not only of the horrible cruelty at the time of the 
        Holocaust, but also the incredible difference 1 person can make: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) mourns the loss of Irena Sendler, a woman whose bravery 
        and heroic efforts saved over 2,500 Jewish children during the 
        Holocaust;
            (2) pays respect and extends condolences to the Sendler 
        family;
            (3) honors the legacy of courage, selflessness, and hope 
        that Irena Sendler exhibited; and
            (4) remembers the life and unwavering dedication to justice 
        and human rights of Irena Sendler.

            Passed the Senate September 22 (legislative day, September 
      17), 2008.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
110th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                            S. CON. RES. 96

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 Commemorating Irena Sendler, a woman whose bravery saved the lives of 
 thousands during the Holocaust and remembering her legacy of courage, 
                        selflessness, and hope.