[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1238-E1239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     FOR YOUR FREEDOM AND OURS: FRED S. ZEIDMAN'S ELOQUENT REMARKS 
                 COMMEMORATING THE DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, last month leaders and citizens from 
throughout America gathered in the Capitol Rotunda to commemorate the 
Days of Remembrance. This annual ceremony assumed special significance 
this year, as it took place during the 60th anniversary of the Warsaw 
Ghetto Uprising, an event that epitomizes the true meaning of bravery 
and honor.
  Why must we remember this tragedy? Fred S. Zeidman, the Chairman of 
the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, reminded us in his 
remarks. The Holocaust Museum, he explained, must serve ``as a warning 
to all people, whatever their backgrounds, about the consequences of 
hatred and indifference, and the failure to act.''
  Mr. Speaker, given the challenges our country faces today, Mr. 
Zeidman's words echo with uncommon strength. America faces a war 
against international terrorism, a fight against forces that allow 
bigotry to drive rivers of violence. The Holocaust taught us that such 
evils do not go away if they are ignored. They must be battled by a 
global community conscious of its responsibilities and mindful of its 
past.
  ``For your freedom and ours.'' Mr. Zeidman used this refrain to 
characterize the Holocaust's legacy. It was the theme of Jewish 
fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto. It remains true today.
  Fred Zeidman is the Chairman of Seitel, Inc., a member of the New 
York Stock Exchange that is a leading provider of seismic data and 
related geophysical expertise to the petroleum industry. He is also a 
prominent activist in the Jewish community; in addition to

[[Page E1239]]

his service as Chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, he 
holds leadership positions in the Anti-Defamation League (Southwest 
Region), the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), 
Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, and the American Jewish Committee
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter the remarks of Fred S. Zeidman 
into the Congressional Record.

                      Days of Remembrance Remarks


  fred s. zeidman, chairman united states holocaust memorial council, 
                  april 30, 2003--the capitol rotunda

       Survivors of the Holocaust; The Museum's founding chairman 
     Elie Wiesel, our moral compass and humanity's moral compass; 
     Secretary Powell; Senate Majority Leader Frist, House 
     Majority Leader DeLay, House Democratic Leader Pelosi, 
     Senator Voinovich, Senator Corzine, and other members of 
     Congress; Ambassador Ayalon; -My distinguished predecessor 
     Miles Lerman and my co-chair Ruth Mandel; Friends of the 
     Museum.
       Secretary Powell, you have devoted your entire life to 
     liberating oppressed people and fighting for freedom. We are 
     particularly gratified, Mr. Secretary, that you are able to 
     join us today.
       For your freedom and ours--there could hardly be a more 
     appropriate time, or a more appropriate place in which to 
     consider these words.
       Consider the figures in these murals that surround us, the 
     statues on their pedestals. I think the leaders they 
     represent would be hard-pressed to find a phrase that better 
     captures what drove them to create a ``new nation, conceived 
     in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are 
     created equal.''
       For your freedom and ours--the theme of the manifesto 
     smuggled out of the Warsaw ghetto and posted across the city, 
     written by its Jewish freedom fighters in what they surely 
     knew would become, in effect, their last testament. For your 
     freedom and ours--it is a call to service that resonates all 
     the more in light of recent events. What better words to 
     characterize our national sense of urgency as we confront 
     international terrorism today. It is an urgency echoed in our 
     vigorous international leadership, represented here by 
     Secretary Powell, and the courage of our armed forces, 
     represented by the flags of the liberating units and the 
     young men and women who carry them.
       So, mindful of the dedication others have demonstrated on 
     our behalf--whether 60 years ago or today--we are here to 
     remember all the victims of the Holocaust as individuals with 
     full and vibrant lives.
       For your freedom and ours--I truly believe the resonance of 
     this battle cry lies behind the American public's commitment 
     to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
       The last ten years have demonstrated that Americans 
     understand our living memorial as a warning to all people, 
     whatever their backgrounds, about the consequences of hatred 
     and indifference, and the failure to act. That understanding 
     is based on our Holocaust survivors' most precious legacy--
     their memories. We cannot see all that passed before their 
     eyes. We cannot endure the terror they suffered. We cannot 
     grasp the human capacity for evil in the way that they can. 
     But through them, it is possible that future generations may 
     be spared a similar fate. But only, that is, if we learn 
     from, and take up, their stories, the lessons of their 
     history. That is the purpose and the hope of the Museum.
       We may not all be called to the heroism of Vladka Meed, but 
     in one way or another we are called to demonstrate moral 
     courage. And each of us, as individuals, does have the power 
     and responsibility to make a difference, to act.
       As we confront the terrorism, hatred, and virulent 
     antisemitism that pollute today's world, we must draw 
     strength from the survivors' strength, courage from their 
     courage.
        For your freedom and ours--their history calls out to us. 
     It is our obligation to ensure that the world listens, both 
     now and for generations to come.

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