[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 LEARNING THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JERROLD NADLER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 1997

  Mr. NADLER, Mr. Speaker, recently, NBC aired the film ``Schindler's 
List,'' which dramatizes an important piece of Holocaust history in a 
thoughtful and dignified manner. In so doing, both NBC and the film's 
producer and director, Steven Speilberg, have made an important 
contribution to preserving the memory and the historical lessons of the 
Holocaust.
  Telling the story of the Holocaust is important for many reasons. 
First and foremost, by remembering, we honor the memory of those who 
suffered and perished during the Nazi persecution. Second, by 
remembering, we ensure that future generations will know and understand 
that when hate is allowed to go unchallenged, the results can be--and 
have been--catastrophic. Finally, by remembering, we counter the 
sinister effort by some who insist, against all the available evidence, 
that the Holocaust never happened.
  Regrettably, one of our colleagues has failed to grasp the importance 
of teaching this important historical lesson. He has said, according to 
the Associated Press, that ``decent-minded individuals everywhere'' 
should be outraged by the film's depictions of, and again, I am 
quoting, ``violence of multiple gunshot head wounds, vile language, 
fullfrontal nudity and irresponsible sexual activity.'' He urged public 
outrage as a tool to force the networks to stop ``polluting the minds 
of our children.''
  Fortunately, most American families are more sensible and reasonable 
than these remarks give them credit for being. An estimated 65 million 
people watched the film in one night, more than the number of people 
who saw the film during its theatrical release. Parents surely made 
reasonable judgments in reviewing the network advisories and in 
determining whether this particular film was age-appropriate for their 
kids--as has Mr. Speilberg. That is as it should be. I would rather 
respect and trust the sound judgement of the American people, who voted 
in their own homes in favor of this dramatic retelling, than in the 
whims of some self-appointed censor.
  The nudity and violence depicted in ``Schindler's List'' are 
certainly not titillating. It is completely inappropriate and insulting 
to the memories of those who endured and perished in the Holocaust to 
suggest otherwise.
  As the representative of probably more Holocaust survivors and their 
families than any other Member of Congress, I urge our colleague to 
reflect on these issues and reconsider his remarks. I think in our 
upcoming debates over the question of artistic freedom, this experience 
will help temper some of the thoughtless and over-heated rhetoric that 
sometimes attends our consideration of these important matters.

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