[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONDEMNATION OF SHOPPING CENTER OUTSIDE AUSCHWITZ

                                 ______


                       HON. ROBERT G. TORRICELLI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 1996

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to condemn, in the 
strongest possible terms, a proposed shopping mall to be located just 
outside the Auschwitz death camp in Poland.
  The Auschwitz death camp has left a scar in our minds and hearts that 
can never be removed. It is a reminder of the depths of evil human kind 
is capable of. And it serves as a warning that we must never let it 
happen again. For anyone to commercialize Auschwitz or develop its 
immediate surroundings would be an affront to all of us, and to the 
memories of the millions of victims of the Holocaust.
  Approximately 1.5 million people were killed at Auschwitz during 
World War II. The 50,000 people who visit the camp sites every year are 
there to understand the monstrous inhumanity that took place. To 
exploit the camps for economic gain is an insult to everyone who has 
worked to ensure the Holocaust's unique place in the world's history 
and culture.
  The Polish Government recently announced that it would temporarily 
halt further development of the shopping center outside the Auschwitz 
death camp and set up a special government commission to examine the 
legality of the planned supermarket. The First Secretary also noted 
that Poland's President Aleksander Kwasniewski ``strongly criticized 
the proposed construction.'' The final decision on whether to proceed 
with the shopping center lies with the town council of Oswiecim-
Brzezinka.
  There must be no equivocation on termination of this shopping center. 
The construction must stop permanently. A commercial endeavor so close 
to Auschwitz would be offensive not just to the memories of those who 
were murdered there but to the sense that Auschwitz stands as one of 
the most prominent symbols of the lesson of the Holocaust, ``Never 
Again.''

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