[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 6 (Wednesday, February 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E96-E97]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                   THE HOLOCAUST VICTIMS REDRESS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 4, 1998

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to lend my strong support to 
the Holocaust Victims Redress Act. The Holocaust Victims Redress Act 
will provide redress for the inadequate restitution of assets that 
belonged to victims of the Holocaust seized by the United States 
Government during World War II. We can never do enough to help end the 
suffering of the 125,000 Holocaust survivors living in the United 
States and the approximately 500,000 survivors living around the world. 
Many of these victims still bear the scars of the most brutal regime in 
history.
  The United States Government seized more than $198,000,000 in German 
assets along with over $1,200,000,000 in assets of Swiss nationals and 
institutions during World War II. It had long been believed that some 
of the bank accounts, trusts, securities, or other assets belonged to 
victims of the Holocaust. Although Congress and the Administration 
provided $500,000 to the Jewish Restitution Successor Organization of 
New York in 1962 to

[[Page E97]]

nominally reimburse Holocaust victims, this action was nowhere near the 
sum of financial losses most victims suffered.
  After World War II, United States support for an independent Jewish 
homeland was fueled by our desire to help settle the large number of 
Jewish refugees, displaced persons, and survivors of the Nazi 
holocaust. Ever since President Harry Truman recognized Israel on May 
15, 1948, minutes after Israel declared its independence, the United 
States Government has maintained a strong relationship with Israel, the 
Jewish community around the world, and survivors of the Nazi holocaust. 
The Holocaust Victim Redress Act continues to shine light painfully on 
a wound that has not yet been healed.
  It is important that our country continue to aid holocaust victims 
recover lost assets and even more important to continue pressuring 
other nations to completely open their wartime records so we can fully 
account for all lost assets. It would be easy for the United States and 
other nations around the globe to sweep this problem under the rug 50 
years after the holocaust. However, this great nation founded under the 
principles of liberty and justice for all will never rest until victims 
of the holocaust can finally receive the justice they deserve.

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