[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REMARKS OF MILES LERMAN, CHAIRPERSON OF THE U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL 
          COUNCIL AT THE NATIONAL DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 1997

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, at an extremely moving ceremony in the 
rotunda of the United States Capitol last Thursday, Members of 
Congress, the diplomatic corps, representatives of our Nation's 
executive and judicial branches, and hundreds of survivors of the 
Holocaust with their friends and family gathered to commemorate the 
National Days of Remembrance. This was an occasion when we take the 
time to remember the horror and inhumanity of the Holocaust.
  In 1933, more than 9 million Jews lived in continental Europe. Over 
the next decade the countries where these men and women and children 
lived were invaded, occupied, or annexed by Nazi Germany. By the end of 
the Second World War, 2 of every 3 of these European Jews were dead, 
and European Jewish life was forever changed. As my colleagues know, I 
was one of those fortunate individuals who survived that horrible era.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the unspeakable horror of the 
Holocaust and the importance that we never forget that tragedy, the 
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council was established by Congress to preserve 
the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. One of the most important 
tasks in this effort is the annual Days of Remembrance commemoration in 
the rotunda of our Nation's Capitol. I commend both the Council and the 
members of the Days of Remembrance Committee for their achievement this 
year, and I want to pay particular tribute to the chairperson of the 
Council, my dear friend Miles Lerman, for his extraordinary effort.
  The time of this year's Days of Remembrance commemoration was ``From 
Holocaust to New Life.'' This remarkable ceremony celebrated the lives 
and legacy of those on those who survived those darkest of days, and 
came to a new beginning here in the United States. As one survivor 
explained ``America gave me the opportunity to be a human being 
again.'' I fully understand those feels, Mr. Speaker.
  At the national civic commemoration, Chairperson Miles Lerman, 
delivered an outstanding speech on this solemn occasion. Mr. Speaker, I 
ask that his remarks be placed in the Record, and I urge my colleagues 
to read them.

       Salutations! In the days when the Jewish communities of 
     Europe were rapidly being wiped off from the surface of the 
     Earth and in the moments of our deepest despair, we clung to 
     hope in spite of hopelessness. We dared to dream without 
     really believing that our dreams would ever come true.
       Who of us would have believed then that the day would come 
     when hundreds of survivors would gather in the Capitol 
     rotunda in the heart of historic America to demonstrate our 
     commitment to remembrance.
       Today as we commemorate the milestone of 50 years of new 
     life in America, we must bear in mind that this milestone is 
     not a celebration.
       This can only be a commemoration.
       The loss is too enormous, the pain is too deep and the 
     memories are too traumatic.
       So let us use this auspicious moment to take stock of our 
     accomplishments of the last fifty years.

  When the Nazi nightmare finally ended, we stood on the smoldering 
ruins of a devastated Europe, our families murdered, our homes 
destroyed or occupied by strangers and our dreams completely shattered.
  We had every reason to feel bitter with the world, suspicious and 
distrustful.
  As a matter of fact, there were those who believed that we survivors 
would never be able to fit in and readjust to a normal society again.
  Fortunately, we proved them wrong.
  We have mastered the strength to rebuild our lives and become a 
constructive part of the communities that we live in.
  We have every reason to be proud of our accomplishments.
  Fifty years ago we came to the shores of America not knowing the 
language or the customs of this country. Most of us came here penniless 
and most of us without any technical or professional training. But in 
spite of these shortcomings by sheer tenacity, by hard work and decent 
conduct, the survivors have managed to make an impact on the economic 
and cultural development of their respective communities or even 
beyond.
  Some of you whom we have chosen as symbols of this miraculous 
revival, created new industries and are giving employment to thousands 
of people.
  With your entrepreneurial spirit, some of you have managed to change 
the skylines of many cities in America.
  We survivors have every reason to be especially proud of our families 
and the children we have managed to raise.
  We succeeded to instill in them all the positive characteristics 
mankind has to offer; healthy work habits, love for study, and a desire 
to aim for excellence.
  As a result of this, our children have reached very impressive levels 
in the fields of science, technology and performing arts.
  So let us commemorate the 50th anniversary of new life in America 
with a sense of gratitude that it was our fate to defy Hitler's evil 
plans.
  A sense of achievement for having been able to play a role in re-
igniting the sparks of Jewish creativity.
  But above all, we are here to express our deep gratitude to our new 
homeland, the United States of America and its people, for giving the 
survivors of the Holocaust an opportunity to pick up the broken shards 
and start rebuilding our devastated lives all over again. This is a 
gratitude that we will carry deep in our hearts forever and ever.
  I commend Ben Meed, the chairman of the National Days of Remembrance 
and his committee for designating this year's remembrance ceremony as a 
day of contemplation and a day of thanksgiving.
  However, we must bear in mind the expressions of gratitude cannot be 
limited to words only. Remembrance is only meaningful if it is 
translated into deeds--tangible deeds.
  During the creation and the building of the Holocaust Memorial 
Museum, survivors have demonstrated by tangible deeds that they do 
remember and know what to do with these memories.
  I am fully confident that survivors will continue to be in the 
forefront of remembrance because all of us firmly believe that destiny 
has chosen us to survive and become the guardians of this sacred flame.
  This is a legacy we must fulfill. This is an obligation that we and 
our children will carry for the rest of our days.
  Thank you.

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