[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E434-E435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TO AUTHORIZE THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TO ESTABLISH A 
MEMORIAL IN HONOR OF TOMAS GARRIGUE MASARYK, THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE 
                       CZECH REPUBLIC, H.R. 1161

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2001

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill that will 
authorize the American Friends of the Czech Republic to establish a 
memorial in our nation's capital to honor Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the 
first president of Czechoslovakia. This bill celebrates his life's 
achievements and his quest for democracy, peace, freedom, and humanity. 
The statue of Mr. Masaryk will immortalize a good friend of the United 
States and a pioneer for world democracy. Tomas Masaryk exemplifies the 
democratic ideal best expressed by his words, ``Not with violence but 
with love, not with sword but with plough, not with blood but with 
work, not with death but with life-that is the answer of Czech genusis, 
the meaning of our history and the heritage of our ancestors.''
  Mr. Speaker, Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the first president of 
Czechoslovakia, stands out in history as the best embodiment of the 
close ties between the United States and Czechoslovakia. He knew 
America from personal firsthand experience from repeated trips as a 
philosopher, scholar and teacher, spread over four decades. He taught 
at major universities in the United States, and he married a young 
woman from Brooklyn, NY, Charlotte Garrigue, and carried her name as 
his own. For four decades he saw America progress from pioneer 
beginnings to the role of a world leader. Masaryk's relationship with
  Today, Masaryk stands as a symbol of the politics of morality and the 
purpose of a true nation state. A steadfast disciple of Wilson, Lincoln 
and Jefferson it is befitting that he be honored as a world leader and 
friend of the United States by a monument to his work.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to point out that Tomas Masaryk was among the few 
Czech intellectuals who vigorously attacked the ritual murder trial of 
a Jew, Leopold Hilsnor in 1899, and resulted in the release from prison 
of Mr. Hilsnor in 1916. Under his presidency the overwhelming majority 
of Czechoslovakian Jews preferred to stay in Czechoslovakia because 
they felt secure in the new state under his humanitarian and liberal 
regime. The American Jewish Committee singled out President Masaryk in 
its report on Czech-Israeli Relations hailing him as a man ``who 
supported openly the Zionist idea and became the first president

[[Page E435]]

of a state who ever visited the pre-war Palestine. Streets and squares 
in Israel are named after him as well as a kibbutz.''
  My legislation authorizes that a memorial sculpture to Tomas Masaryk 
be established in a park, just steps away from the location of the 
former Hotel Powhatten, on Pennsylvania Ave, N.W. where President 
Masaryk at one time resided and met with officials of the Woodrow 
Wilson Administration. It is a fitting site to remember this champion 
of democracy.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to bring to the attention of my colleagues that 
this bill will not cost the taxpayer nor the U.S. government any monies 
but, rather, all expenses for the memorial will be borne by the 
American Friends of the Czech Republic.
  I want to express my appreciation to Milton Cerny, President of the 
American Friends of the Czech Republic, his distinguished Directors, 
Advisors and Sponsoring Organization for the support of this 
legislation. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill, 
and pass the legislation during this session of Congress. Please join 
with me in paying tribute and homage to Tomas Masaryk, an outstanding 
champion of democracy.

   A BILL To authorize the American Friends of the Czech Republic to 
   establish a memorial to honor Tomas G. Masaryk in the District of 
                               Columbia.

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MEMORIAL.

       (a) In General.--The American Friends of the Czech Republic 
     is authorized to establish a memorial to honor Tomas G. 
     Masaryk on the Federal land in the District of Columbia 
     described in subsection (b).
       (b) Location of Memorial.--The Federal land referred to in 
     subsection (a) is the triangle of land in the District of 
     Columbia that is bordered by 19th Street, NW., H Street, NW., 
     and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., and designated as plot number 
     30 in area II on the map numbered 869/86501 and dated May 1, 
     1986, and which is located across H Street, NW., from the 
     International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
       (c) Compliance With Standards for Commemorative Works.--The 
     establishment of the memorial shall be in accordance with the 
     Commemorative Works Act (40 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.).
       (d) Limitation on Payment of Expense.--The United States 
     Government shall not pay any expense for the establishment of 
     the memorial.

     

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