[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 172 (Thursday, November 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     LILLIAN HOFFMAN'S LETTER TO RAOUL WALLENBERG--A HERO TO FOUR 
                              GENERATIONS

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 2, 1995

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, today, on the occasion of the dedication of 
the bust of Raoul Wallenberg in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, two 
tributes stood out as singularly accurate reflections upon the 
extraordinary acts of this Swedish-American hero.
  The first, a letter to Raoul Wallenberg by my granddaughter, Chelsea 
Lantos-Swett, read at the dedication of the Holocaust Memorial Museum 
and again at today's ceremony has already appeared in the Congressional 
Record. The second, which I ask be placed in today's Record, is a 
letter to Wallenberg from Ms. Lillian Hoffman, who donated the bust 
which we unveiled today in the Capitol Rotunda.
  These two letters, which span four generations, are testimony to the 
endurance of Raoul Wallenberg's legacy and lessons. He was an 
inspiration to Lillian Hoffman, of the World War II generation, and, 
four generations later, he is an inspiration to Chelsea. I am confident 
that, four generations from now, our great-grandchildren will look upon 
Raoul Wallenberg's image in the U.S. Capitol, and reflect upon the 
strength of the individual human spirit and the ability of each and 
every one of us to make the world a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to take a moment to read Lillian 
Hoffman's letter and to pause by the bust of Raoul Wallenberg:

          An Open Letter to Our Dear Friend, Raoul Wallenberg

                          (By Lillian Hoffman)

       Dear Raoul:
       No, you are not ``the forgotten hero.'' Wherever you are, 
     we are gathered here to celebrate your unique historic valor. 
     We know that somewhere you are out there and very much aware 
     of the great love and indebtedness we Americans feel for you.
       It is with considerable humility and emotion that we write 
     to you to express our gratitude and admiration for your 
     remarkable feat. The brilliant imagination, daring and 
     compassion that you exerted to rescue over 100,000 Jewish 
     souls was breathtaking and monumental. In the heart of every 
     Jew there is a special memory of this accomplishment.
       You have long deserved this special commemoration for your 
     contribution to all freedom-loving people everywhere.
       Here we stand under the historic roof of the Congress of 
     these United States amidst our nation's leaders and friends. 
     The echoes of the heartbeats of American heroes, whose busts 
     are encircling us, remind us of what an exceptional privilege 
     it is to place your bust among these heroes.
       My children and I are filed with immense pride to donate 
     Mirri Margolin's bust of you to the U.S. Congress. Finally, 
     you are being recognized and lauded for your great spirit and 
     exceptional courage. Only in the United States could 
     decendents of immigrants join with our nation's leaders to 
     herald the life of a leader like you.
       Thank you, Raoul; thank you for showing the world what one 
     determined individual can achieve in a daring battle against 
     the forces of evil; thank you for restoring to so many of us 
     our faith in mankind--the faith which is the first 
     prerequisite, the strongest stimulant, and the greatest asset 
     for all who seek to build a better world.
           With great admiration,
                                                  Lillian Hoffman,
     Denver, CO.

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