[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO REVEREND HANS CHRISTEN MAMEN

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Reverend Hans Christen 
Mamen, an extraordinary and remarkable individual, who turned 85 on 
April 20th, and whose courage, humanity and unselfishness saved Jews 
during the Nazi occupation of Norway during World War II. Risking his 
own life, Reverend Mamen guided Jews and other refugees into safety to 
Sweden.
  Reverend Mamen's life reads like a storybook. Born in 1919 on a small 
farm in Vogelland, outside of Oslo, Norway, he was the sixth of eight 
children. His parents, Hans Christen and Marie Louise, raised him and 
his siblings with strong Christian values and a profound respect for 
others. At the tender age of 13, he decided to study theology--in hopes 
of becoming a priest. In 1939, he started his studies at the Norwegian 
Lutheran School of Theology (``Menighets Fakultetet'').
  Sorrowfully, in 1939, dark clouds began encasing Europe. Hitler, 
elected to office in 1933, unveiled his true identity when German 
forces first moved into Rhineland (1936), and then occupied 
Czechoslovakia (1939). Shortly thereafter, the Soviet Union invaded 
Finland. Hans Christen, who was 20 at the time, felt it was his duty 
and obligation to do something. He volunteered for the Norwegian Red 
Cross, serving as an ambulance driver in Finland. On April 6th, just 
weeks after returning to Norway, Hans Christen married his childhood 
sweetheart Ruth. Three days later the Nazi's invaded and occupied 
Norway.
  While continuing his studies at the Norwegian Lutheran School of 
Theology, Hans Christen opted to get involved with the Norwegian 
Resistance. On October 26, 1942, the Nazi's began gathering, arresting, 
and deporting Jews to German concentration camps. Disgusted with the 
inhumane Nazi philosophy and ideology, Hans Christen Mamen helped Jews 
by guiding them to safety in Sweden.
  After completing theology school, Hans Christen Mamen was ordained 
and served a various parishes throughout Norway. In 1959, he and his 
family of five children moved to Inwood, Iowa, as a part of his 
Lutheran exchange. When Dr. Martin Luther King was awarded the Nobel 
Peace Price, Hans Christen welcomed Dr. King on behalf of the Norwegian 
Church. His meeting with Dr. King remains one of the most unforgettable 
memories of Hans Christen.
  In recognition for his heroism, the State of Israel in 2001 bestowed 
upon Hans Christen Mamen--as the only Norwegian--honorary citizenship 
of Israel. He has also received several awards and medals for his 
courageous deeds during the war.
  Today, nearly 60 years after World War II, Hans Christen is still 
going strong--determined to persevere. His unequivocal thirst for 
knowledge has continued to increase throughout his life. And as a 
result, he has remarkably contributed to more than 40 books and over 
300 articles.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring a great 
humanitarian, who continues to inspire, guide, and lead by displaying 
tremendous beliefs, compassion, and generosity for his fellow human 
brethren.

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