[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 68 (Thursday, May 26, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           FERENC KOSZORUS: A HERO OF THE HUNGARIAN HOLOCAUST

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 1994

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the 
Hungarian holocaust. I rise today to recognize one of the great heros 
of the Hungarian holocaust. Ferenc Koszorus, who at great personal 
sacrifice to his own life, saved thousands of Hungarian Jews from 
deportation to Nazi death camps.
  During the turbulent time in the summer of 1944, advancing Allied 
forces were closing in on Berlin while Hitler was racing to implement 
the final solution, the destruction of the Jewish race. There were many 
acts of heroic compassion and humanitarianism during this period. I 
would like to recount the story of Col. Ferenc Koszorus, one of the 
most remarkable examples of bravery and courage of the time.
  By June 1944, the Nazis had incarcerated and liquidated most of the 
Jewish population of Europe. In the capital of Hungary, Budapest, there 
remained approximately 250,000 Jews still alive. Budapest was still 
under control of the Hungarian police force. The Nazis believed that 
this force was not ruthless and brutal enough to deal adequately with 
the complete destruction of the large remaining Jewish population of 
Budapest.
  Ferenc Koszorus was a colonel in the Hungarian Army in charge of the 
First Magyar Armored Division stationed in and around Budapest. He 
learned that Laszlo Baky, Secretary of State and director of all 
security forces, with the exception of the army, had planned a coup 
d'etat to install a police force completely subservient to the Nazis. 
They would see to it that Hungary was purged of all remaining Jews.

  With the help of the Gestapo, Baky formed several battalions of 
``gendarmerie'' forces loyal to him. Orders from the Regent to disband 
the gendarmerie went unheeded. Colonel Koszorus controlled the last 
remaining active army unit in Hungary. At a time when few others would 
stand up to the Nazi occupation, Colonel Koszorus took the initiative 
to resist.
  Realizing the severity of the situation, Colonel Koszorus consulted 
with the Regent and began preparations on his own to stop Baky and the 
gendarmerie battalions. On July 5, 1944 at 11:30 p.m., Colonel Koszorus 
ordered the units of the 1st Armored Division to take up positions at 
strategic points in Budapest, sealing off all road leading into the 
city. By 7:00 a.m. on July 6, 1944 all the units were in place and 
Colonel Koszorus informed Baky that if his gendarmerie did not leave 
and disband they would be destroyed. On July 7, 1944 Baky capitulated 
and evacuated his forces.
  Colonel Koszorus' unparalleled action was the only case known in 
which an Axis power used military force for the purpose of preventing 
the deportation of the Jews. As a result of his extraordinarily brave 
efforts, taken at great risk in an extremely volatile situation, the 
eventual takeover of Budapest by the Nazis was delayed by 3\1/2\ 
months. This hiatus allowed thousands of Jews to seek safety in 
Budapest, thus sparing them from certain execution. It also permitted 
the famous Raoul Wallenberg, who arrived in Budapest on July 9, 1994, 
to coordinate his successful and effective rescue mission.

  In October 1944, after the Germans had taken Budapest, Colonel 
Koszorus was forced into hiding to avoid certain execution by the 
Gestapo. While alive, Colonel Koszorus never received recognition of 
his actions. In 1991, Ferenc Koszorus was posthumously promoted to the 
rank of general by the Hungarian Government. His memory is honored with 
a plaque placed in the famous Dohany Street Synagogue in Budapest.
  Therefore it is with great honor and pride that I rise today in 
recognition valiant, patriotic efforts of Ferenc Koszorus. Many 
thousands of families are alive today as a result of the heroic actions 
of one man who stood up for his beliefs in a very uncertain and 
dangerous time. His loyalty to his country and love of humanity are an 
inspiration to all who struggle against oppression and the vile bigotry 
of racism.
  Too often the efforts of those who struggle against the Nazi 
oppression go unrecognized. This year, the 50th anniversary of 
Hungarian holocaust, the world reflects on the lessons learned. I am 
proud to honor Colonel Koszorus, a patriot, a humanitarian, and a hero.

                          ____________________