[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 16, 1999)]
[House]
[Pages H12076-H12077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION ADDRESSING NAZI ASSET CONFISCATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. RAMSTAD. Madam Speaker, over 50 years ago Nazi Germany began a 
systematic process of eliminating an entire race. Over 6 million men, 
women, and children lost their lives in this tragic chapter in human 
history simply because they were Jewish.

                              {time}  1945

  Others were forced to work as slaves in German factories. Some were 
subjected to brutal experiments, and others had their assets and 
belongings stolen from them and given to those of Aryan stock or used 
by the German government in its war effort.
  Amazingly, Madam Speaker, these criminal acts of confiscation have 
yet to be settled. The United States Government is currently involved 
in negotiations between German companies and Nazi victims here in the 
United States which could lead to compensation for some of the victims.
  I believe the companies which profited from their complicity with the 
Nazi regime and the Holocaust should pay for their actions. It is 
absolutely appalling, Madam Speaker, that to this day, German banks and 
businesses have failed to admit their role in the grand larceny and 
conspiracy of the Jewish race. Also, they have not returned the fruits 
of their crimes. It is absolutely inexcusable that German banks and 
businesses continue to deny their involvement and refuse to compensate 
the victims.
  That is why today, Madam Speaker, I am introducing legislation to 
allow victims of the Nazi regime to bring suit

[[Page H12077]]

in U.S. Federal court against German banks and businesses which 
assisted in and profited from the Nazi Aryanization effort.
  My legislation would clarify that U.S. courts have jurisdiction over 
these claims and would extend any statute of limitations to the year 
2010.
  Now, there are people who say this occurred too long ago and that we 
should leave these events in the past. Madam Speaker, I strongly and 
fundamentally disagree. There must never, never be a statute of 
limitations on Aryanization, as genocide and related crimes should 
always be punished.
  These companies, these banks need to come forward, open their books, 
and return their criminal profits to close this open wound on the soul 
of humanity.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation that I am introducing today will 
right a terrible wrong in the annals of world history, and God knows it 
is long overdue.

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