[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 50 (Wednesday, April 29, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E700-E701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 IN HONOR OF THE SPECIALIZED TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS 
                           AND THEIR FAMILIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 1998

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Specialized Treatment Program for Holocaust Survivors and Their 
Families, begun by Dr. Rachel Yehuda, which celebrated its fifth 
anniversary on April 27, 1998, in connection with Yom Hoshoah, 
Holocaust Memorial Day.
  Established in 1993, the Specialized Treatment Program for Holocaust 
Survivors is the leading program of its kind in the world. The program 
was created to study and treat Holocaust survivors suffering from 
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. It is the only treatment program which 
offers comprehensive psychotherapeutic services to survivors and their 
families.
  Dr. Yehuda's work has illuminated the field of traumatic stress 
research. She has found, for example, that there is a demonstrated 
neurobiologic difference between trauma survivors and individuals 
exhibiting other kinds of stress. She has shown that these variations 
are found in Holocaust survivors, rape victims, and combat veterans, 
among others.
  In addition to these findings, Dr. Yehuda's work has enabled her to 
recommend improvements in current methods of treating traumatized 
individuals. Not only have her findings provided a ``biological 
blueprint'' for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, they explain why more 
traditional psychiatric treatments for trauma survivors have failed.
  One especially noteworthy aspect of her work has been the potential 
genetic links. Adult children of Holocaust survivors demonstrate 
similar biological alterations to those of their parents, and also 
exhibit symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress.
  Dr. Yehuda's efforts have played an important role in helping 
Holocaust survivors receive long overdue reparations from the German 
Government. Germany has often denied survivors reparations claiming the 
survivor has not been able to demonstrate to the government's 
satisfaction that a particular illness or medical condition is a direct 
result of Nazi atrocities in ghettos and concentration camps. 
Biological proof of suffering in Holocaust survivors determined by Dr. 
Yehuda has prompted the German Government to pay reparations in several 
cases.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues rise with me in this tribute to 
Dr. Rachel Yehuda and the Specialized Treatment Program for Holocaust 
Survivors, a program whose research is pivotal in the treatment of 
traumatized individuals. I am proud that such an effort is taking place 
in my district.

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