[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO MISS LEONIE BARRETT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest pride that I rise 
today to recognize an outstanding young citizen in my district, Miss 
Leonie Barrett. A thirteen year-old student at the Oliver Street School 
in Newark, New Jersey, Leonie has certainly made a significant impact 
on our world community.
  In February 2002, Leonie and her classmate Jennifer were introduced 
to Mr. Harry Ettlinger. A survivor of the Holocaust, Mr. Ettlinger is a 
participant in the ``Adopt-a-Survivor'' program, a program that pairs 
Holocaust survivors with young members of the community. Through this 
match, the first made in the program which is sponsored by the 
Holocaust Council of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest, Mr. 
Ettlinger shared his story with Leonie. To have your voice heard and to 
continue to remember is a very important aspect of Holocaust history. 
By continuing to tell their stories, survivors of the Holocaust remind 
us so that we will never forget, so that history will never repeat 
itself, and that the voices of those who lost their lives will not be 
forgotten. Leonie is now a part of this commitment, to tell Mr. 
Ettlinger's story so that it will not be forgotten.
  She has committed to tell that story until 2045, the 100th 
anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps.
  To say that Mr. Ettlinger and Leonie have significantly impacted each 
others lives would seem to not do justice to their relationship. In 
addition to committing to tell his story, Leonie has also helped to 
reconnect Mr. Ettlinger with his past and a dear friend, Hanne Hirsch, 
whom he had not seen or heard from since Nazi occupation of their small 
town of Karlsruhe, Germany. On a trip to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial 
Museum here in Washington, Leonie noticed that one of the identity 
cards that are issued to visitors, recounting the lives of individuals 
who were involved in the Holocaust, was from Mr. Ettlinger's hometown. 
The two had been separated for sixty-four years, not knowing the fate 
of the other. With the help of Leonie the two were reunited and have 
been able to share their stories with each other and with Leonie.
  As a member of the International Relations Committee here in the U.S. 
House of Representatives and a former Social Studies teacher, I 
understand the significance of the relationship between Mr. Ettlinger 
and Leonie as well as the commitment and dedication both have given to 
this important and significant personal history. I know that my 
colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives not only join me 
today in recognizing this tremendous friendship but also in commending 
Leonie for her own personal dedication to continuing the voice of Mr. 
Ettlinger and ensuring that the stories of Holocaust survivors are not 
lost to future generations.

                          ____________________