[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 80 (Thursday, June 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1157]]



      H.R. 3662, THE U.S. HOLOCAUST ASSETS COMMISSION ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 1998

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, few events in the course of human history 
have affected the human psyche as profoundly as the attempted 
extermination of the Jewish race by the Nazi regime in World War II. 
This dark period in our past serves as a reminder of what must never 
again come to pass. However, lingering questions regarding the 
disposition of holocaust victims' assets and the role of neutral 
countries in the theft of these assets have precluded our conclusively 
closing the door on this chapter in history. The bill we have before us 
today, H.R. 3662, the U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Act of 1998 
gives us this opportunity.
  In the House Banking and Finance Committee, we have held four 
hearings of this subject, beginning in December of 1996. In the past 
two years, several European nations and other nations scattered around 
the globe have created commissions to investigate their own role in the 
theft of holocaust victim's assets. The investigations have broadened 
past individual bank accounts to include such assets as artwork and 
insurance claims. It is time for the United States to do the same and 
examine the actions of the U.S. Federal Government with regard to 
holocaust victims' assets that flowed into America after Hitler seized 
power in Germany.
  The June 2, 1998, preliminary report by the Administration's task 
force and Under Secretary of State Stuart Eizenstat, represents a 
significant level of commitment by the U.S. Federal Government and an 
important step in the process. The report also provides an alarming 
amount of compelling evidence regarding cooperation with the Nazis by 
neutral countries. These countries accepted large shipments of gold and 
other assets plundered from Holocaust victims and exchanged critically 
needed war materials. It is imperative that we continue to study this 
issue and develop a deeper understanding of the circumstances and 
consequences of these events.
  H.R. 3662 is a good, bipartisan bill that will help America explore 
many of these same issues as they may have occurred on our own soil. By 
December 31, 1999, the President and Congress should receive a report 
from the commission and will have the information necessary to bring 
justice and closure to questions of the disposition of holocaust 
victims' assets in America. It is what we, as a nation, must do. I urge 
all my colleagues to support his bill.

                          ____________________