[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 89 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 89

    Supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference on 
                         Holocaust Era Assets.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 30, 2009

  Mr. Wexler (for himself, Mr. Berman, Mr. Gallegly, Mr. Hastings of 
    Florida, Mr. McMahon, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and Mr. Waxman) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference on 
                         Holocaust Era Assets.

Whereas the Government of the Czech Republic will host a Conference on Holocaust 
        Era Assets in Prague from June 26, 2009, through June 30, 2009;
Whereas the Prague Conference will facilitate a review of the 1998 Washington 
        Conference on Holocaust Era Assets, which had participation of 44 
        nations, 13 nongovernmental organizations, scholars, and Holocaust 
        survivors;
Whereas a high level United States delegation participated in the Washington 
        Conference on Holocaust Era Assets led by Undersecretary of State Stuart 
        Eizenstat, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel, Federal Judge Abner Mikva, 
        senior diplomats, and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress;
Whereas then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright delivered the key note 
        address at the Washington Conference on Holocaust Era Assets, 
        articulating the United States commitment to Holocaust survivors and 
        urging conference participants to ``chart a course for finishing the job 
        of returning or providing compensation for stolen Holocaust assets to 
        survivors and the families of Holocaust victims.'';
Whereas the Prague Conference is expected to take stock of issues agreed on at 
        the Washington Conference, including financial assets, bank accounts, 
        insurance issues, and other financial property;
Whereas the Prague Conference is expected to include a special session on social 
        programs for Holocaust survivors and other victims of Nazi atrocities;
Whereas the Prague Conference is expected to include working groups on Holocaust 
        education, remembrance and research, looted art, Judaica, Jewish 
        cultural property, and immovable property, including both private, 
        religious, and communal property;
Whereas United States participation and leadership at the highest level is 
        critically important to ensure a successful outcome of the Prague 
        Conference;
Whereas Congress supports further inclusion of Holocaust survivors and their 
        advocates in the Prague Conference planning and proceedings;
Whereas the United States strongly supports an immediate and just restitution or 
        compensation of property illegally confiscated during the last century 
        by Nazi and Communist regimes;
Whereas many Holocaust survivors lack the means for even the most basic 
        necessities, including proper housing and health care;
Whereas the United States and the international community has a moral obligation 
        to uphold and defend the plight and dignity of Holocaust survivors and 
        to ensure their well-being;
Whereas for the Prague Conference is a critical forum to effectively address the 
        increasing economic, social, housing, and health care needs of Holocaust 
        survivors in their waning years;
Whereas President Barack Obama, during his visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust 
        Memorial in Israel in July 2008, stated ``Let our children come here and 
        know this history so they can add their voices to proclaim `never 
        again.' And may we remember those who perished, not only as victims but 
        also as individuals who hoped and loved and dreamed like us and who have 
        become symbols of the human spirit.''; and
Whereas the Prague Conference may represent the last opportunity for the 
        international community to address outstanding Holocaust-era issues: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) supports the goals and objectives of the 2009 Prague 
        Conference on Holocaust Era Assets;
            (2) applauds the Government of the Czech Republic for its 
        decision to host the Prague Conference and its unwavering 
        commitment to address out standing Holocaust-era issues;
            (3) expresses strong support for the decision to make the 
        economic, social, housing, and health care needs of Holocaust 
        survivors a major focus of the Prague Conference;
            (4) urges the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, 
        which have not already done so, to return looted and 
        confiscated properties to their rightful owners or, where 
        restitution is not possible, pay equitable compensation to the 
        rightful owners in accordance with principles of justice and in 
        an expeditious manner that is just, transparent, and fair;
            (5) calls on the President to send a high-level official, 
        such as the Secretary of State, to represent the United States 
        at the Prague Conference; and
            (6) urges other invited nations to participate at a 
        similarly high level.
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