[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1972]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      CONSIDERATION OF H. RES. 557

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be a cosponsor 
of this important resolution that addresses many of the unresolved 
issues of the Holocaust era. I appreciate the efforts of my colleagues, 
Mr. Gilman and the bill's sponsor, Mr. Lantos, and their staff for 
preparing this important measure.
  In the aftermath of the Holocaust, survivors struggled to rebuild 
their lives. Holocaust victims in Western countries generally received 
some monetary compensation from Germany, albeit very limited 
compensation. Those victims whose homelands fell behind the Iron 
Curtain after World War II did not receive even this slight measure of 
justice. Other issues related to the Holocaust era, including the 
disposition of assets such as real or financial property, art work, and 
insurance policy proceeds went unresolved for all of these individuals, 
as well as for religious communities.
  Mr. Speaker, a belated measure of justice for Holocaust victims is 
within reach. Much has been achieved, including unprecedented 
settlements between Holocaust survivors, Swiss Banks, and European 
insurance companies. Building on this momentum, the State Department 
and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will convene the 
Washington Conference on Holocaust-era Assets next month to address 
issues of Nazi-confiscated assets, including art, insurance, communal 
property, libraries and archives, as well as Holocaust education, 
research and remembrance. Conference participants will include 
government officials from over 40 countries, historians, experts, and 
representatives of major NGOs including the survivor community.
  This resolution could not be considered at a more opportune moment. 
The resolution calls on countries to return expropriated properties to 
Holocaust victims or their heirs without arbitrary discrimination. It 
calls for the opening of archives relating to the Nazi era and for the 
continued prosecution of Nazi-era war criminals. It calls on Germany to 
provide just reparations to all Holocaust victims without delay and 
without the use of unreasonable eligibility criteria. Of equal 
importance, this resolution calls on all countries to encourage 
education on the history of the Holocaust and the consequences of the 
failure to respect human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, we should pass this resolution as a demonstration of 
Congress' support for the U.S. Government's efforts to achieve justice 
for Holocaust victims and their families. I strongly urge my colleagues 
to join me in supporting this measure