[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 23, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8581-S8582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            LILLIAN HOFFMAN

 Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, Lillian Hoffman was a great lady who 
will be truly missed. She made the world a better place and brought 
energy, commitment, and integrity to every cause

[[Page S8582]]

she supported. Her valiant efforts on behalf of Soviet Jewery I am 
convinced made a real difference in the lives of many.
  As a volunteer for the American Red Cross during World War II, 
Lillian acquired a taste for public service and community work. Lillian 
committed herself to gaining freedom for Jewish refuseniks from the 
former Soviet Union for over 20 years. She was cochairwoman of the 
Colorado Committee of Concern for Soviet Jewry since the group was 
formed in 1970. This committee fought for people that faced oppression 
in their homeland. Lillian spent endless hours writing letters and 
telegrams and making phone calls to Soviet and U.S. officials to help 
gain the release of Jewish families who were refused immigration visas. 
She showed what real determination was.
  In 1974, Lillian went to Washington, DC to lobby for the Jackson-
Vannik amendment, which linked trade with the Soviet Union with the 
emigration of Soviet Jews. The amendment was passed in large part 
thanks to Lillian's efforts.
  In addition to dealing with the oppression of Jews in the Soviet 
Union, Lillian turned her attention to other causes. Lillian began to 
focus on her opposition to Israeli terroritorial concessions and to 
free Raoul Wallenberg. Lillian was a member of the Raoul Wallenberg 
Committee. Mr. Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat, saved 100,000 Hungarian 
Jews during World War II from Nazi death camps. Lillian presented a 
bust of Wallenberg as a gift to the U.S. Government which stands in the 
U.S. Capitol.
  Lillian was well known for her efforts nationally and 
internationally. Her endless contributions to our community in Colorado 
and around the world were truly remarkable and will never be forgotten.
  Those of us who knew Lillian Hoffman will never forget her. She 
taught us what real commitment is all about.

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