[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 49 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE KATYN FOREST MASSACRE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 4, 2001

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the victims of the 
Katyn Forest Massacre, sixty-one years after the horrible tragedy. 
Memorial Services will be held on April 7, 2001 at the Katyn Monument 
site in Jersey City, New Jersey.
  In September, 1939, Poland was invaded by Soviet troops, while boldly 
and courageously fighting the Nazi invasion in the West. The Polish 
army, which was hopelessly overextended fighting both the Germans and 
the Soviets, succumbed to those incredible odds.
  In April and May, 1940, in an area called the Katyn Forest, over four 
thousand Polish soldiers, army officers, intellectual leaders, 
prisoners of war, members of the intelligensia, and Polish civilians 
were executed by Soviet troops and the Soviet secret police on direct 
order from Joseph Stalin. An estimated 21,000 Polish citizens died in 
Katyn, Miednoye, and Kharkiv, as well as other areas. These horrendous 
crimes are commemorated as the Katyn Forest Massacre.
  On September 16, 2000, the Polish American Congress, the Katyn Forest 
Massacre Memorial Committee, and the Siberian Society of Florida 
sponsored a memorial service in honor of the victims.
  Today, I honor the victims of the Katyn Forest Massacre. I commend 
their courage and sacrifice. They fought against terrible aggression, 
and not only fought for their own freedom, for the world's freedom as 
well.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in remembering the victims of the 
Katyn Forest Massacre. And I ask that we honor their sacrifice for 
freedom.

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