[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 163 (Wednesday, November 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION ADDRESSING NAZI ASSET CONFISCATION

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                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 16, 1999

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. 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. They were the ultimate 
victims.
  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 to be given to those of ``Aryan'' stock or 
used by the German government in its war effort.
  Amazingly, these criminal acts have yet to be settled. The U.S. 
government is currently involved in negotiations between German 
companies and Nazi victims here in the U.S. 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 that to this day, German banks and businesses have 
not admitted their role in this theft nor have they returned the fruits 
of their crimes. It is inexcusable that German banks and businesses 
continue to deny their obvious guilt and refuse to compensate the 
victims.
  That's why I am introducing legislation today which would allow 
victims of the Nazi regime to bring suit in U.S. federal court against 
German banks and businesses which assisted in and profited from the 
Nazi's Aryanization effort.
  My legislation would clarify that U.S. courts do have jurisdiction 
over these claims and would extend any statute of limitations to 2010.
  There are people who say this occurred too long ago and that we 
should leave these events in the past. I strongly and fundamentally 
disagree. There must never be a statute of limitations on Aryanization, 
as genocide and related crimes should always be punished.
  These companies need to come forward, open their books and return 
their criminally-obtained gains to close this open wound on the soul of 
humanity.
  This legislation will right a terrible wrong in the annals of world 
history, and it's long overdue.

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