[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 123 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7952-H7954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THAT NOVEMBER 2, 2003, SHALL BE DEDICATED TO ``A TRIBUTE TO
SURVIVORS'' AT THE UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in
the Senate concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 76) recognizing that
November 2, 2003, shall be dedicated as ``A Tribute To Survivors'' at
the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
The Clerk read as follows:
S. Con. Res. 76
Whereas, in 1945, American soldiers and other Allied
forces, defeated Nazi Germany, ending World War II in Europe
and the systematic murder of Europe's Jews and other targeted
groups;
Whereas 6,000,000 Jews were killed during the Holocaust,
and after World War II hundreds of thousands of survivors
immigrated to the United States, where in spite of their
enormous suffering, they rebuilt their lives, and embraced
and enriched their adopted homeland;
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Whereas, in 1978, President Jimmy Carter created the
President's Commission on the Holocaust to make a
recommendation regarding ``the establishment . . . of an
appropriate memorial to those who perished in the
Holocaust'';
Whereas President Carter said: ``Out of our memory . . . of
the Holocaust we must forge an unshakable oath with all
civilized people that never again will the world stand
silent, never again will the world . . . fail to act in time
to prevent this terrible crime of genocide. . . . [W]e must
harness the outrage of our own memories to stamp out
oppression wherever it exists. We must understand that human
rights and human dignity are indivisible.'';
Whereas, in 1979, the Commission recommended ``a living
memorial that will speak not only of the victims' deaths but
of their lives, a memorial that can transform the living by
transmitting the legacy of the Holocaust'';
Whereas, in 1980, the United States Congress unanimously
passed legislation authorizing the creation of the United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a ``permanent living
memorial'' on Federal land in the Nation's Capital;
Whereas, in 1983, Vice President George Bush designated the
Federal land on which the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum would be built;
Whereas Vice President Bush said: ``Here we will learn that
each of us bears responsibility for our actions and our
failure to act. Here we will learn that we must intervene
when we see evil arise. Here we will learn more about the
moral compass by which we navigate our lives and by which
countries navigate the future.'';
Whereas, in 1985, Holocaust survivors participated in the
groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum;
Whereas, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan dedicated the
cornerstone of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum;
Whereas President Reagan said: ``We who did not go their
way owe them this: We must make sure that their deaths have
posthumous meaning. We must make sure that from now until the
end of days all humankind stares this evil in the face . . .
and only then can we be sure it will never arise again.'';
Whereas, in 1992, replicas of 2 of the milk cans that hid
the Oneg Shabbat archive under the Warsaw Ghetto were buried
beneath the Museum's Hall of Remembrance, with a Scroll of
Remembrance signed by Holocaust survivors;
Whereas, in 1993, President Bill Clinton opened the United
States Holocaust Memorial Museum;
Whereas President Clinton said: ``[T]his museum will touch
the life of everyone who enters and leave everyone forever
changed; a place of deep sadness and a sanctuary of bright
hope; an ally of education against ignorance, of humility
against arrogance, an investment in a secure future against
whatever insanity lurks ahead. If this museum can mobilize
morality, then those who have perished will thereby gain a
measure of immortality.'';
Whereas, in 2001, President George W. Bush delivered the
keynote address at the first Days of Remembrance ceremony
after he assumed office.
Whereas President Bush said: ``When we remember the
Holocaust and to whom it happened, we must also remember
where it happened . . . The orders came from men who . . .
had all the outward traits of cultured men, except for
conscience. Their crimes showed the world that evil can slip
in, and blend in, even amid the most civilized surroundings.
In the end, only conscience can stop it. And moral
discernment, decency, tolerance--these can never be assumed
in any time, or any society. They must always be taught.'';
Whereas the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has had
more than 19,000,000 visitors in the first 10 years of its
existence;
Whereas, in 2003, the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum, on the occasion of its 10th Anniversary, wishes to
pay tribute to America's Holocaust survivors, who worked
tirelessly to help build the Museum and whose committed
support and involvement continue to make the institution such
as extraordinary memorial and a vital part of life in the
United States; and
Whereas the United States Holocaust Museum has a sacred
obligation to preserve and transmit the history and lessons
of the Holocaust and, together with the Holocaust survivors,
must ensure that the legacy of the survivors is passed on to
each new generation: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes that November 2, 2003, shall be dedicated to
``A Tribute to Survivors'' at the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum and shall be devoted to honoring our Nation's
Holocaust survivors, as well as their liberators and
rescuers, and their families;
(2) recognizes that on that day, the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum shall be devoted in its entirety to
special programs about and for the survivors of the
Holocaust;
(3) commends the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
for its first decade of education dedicated to the memory of
the victims of the Holocaust;
(4) endeavors to continue to support the vital work of the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; and
(5) requests that this resolution shall be duly recorded in
the official records of the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) and the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Mrs.
Christensen) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons).
General Leave
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on S. Con. Res. 76.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nevada?
There was no objection.
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, Senate Concurrent Resolution 76, introduced by Senator
Hatch of Utah, dedicates November 2, 2003, as ``A Tribute to
Survivors'' at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum located here
in our Nation's capital.
The gentleman from Utah (Mr. Cannon) has authored the House companion
bill and should be equally commended for his tireless work on behalf of
his constituents.
Chartered by a unanimous Act of Congress in 1980, the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum's primary mission is to advance and
disseminate knowledge about this unprecedented tragedy; to preserve the
memory of those who suffered; and to encourage its visitors to reflect
upon the moral and spiritual questions raised by the events of the
Holocaust as well as their own responsibilities as citizens of a
democracy.
This living memorial speaks not only to the victims' deaths, but of
their lives. It holds the power to transform the living by transmitting
the legacy of the Holocaust.
On the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the museum on November 1 and
2 of 2003, held a Tribute to Holocaust survivors, a special celebration
at the museum for survivors, their families, and other members of the
eyewitness generation, including liberators and rescuers. This unique
event brought together over 7,000 people, reuniting over 2,000
survivors. Museum Director Sara Bloomfield characterized the tribute as
critical, with so many of the Holocaust survivors now in the later
years of their lives.
More importantly though, dedicating November 2, 2003, as ``A Tribute
to Survivors'' at the museum affords all of us the opportunity to
answer to their silent question: Indeed, we have not forgotten you.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 76 is supported by the majority and
minority of the committee. I urge adoption of the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
(Mrs. CHRISTENSEN asked and was given permission to revise and extend
her remarks.)
Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, with S. Con. Res. 76, I guess this majority is operating
under the adage that it is better late than never.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 76 was written for an event that
occurred 11 months ago on November 2, 2003. The resolution would have
been timely if it had been taken up before that date.
The tribute to the survivors of the Holocaust at the United States
Holocaust Memorial Museum on November 2, 2003 was a worthy event
deserving of recognition. It is regrettable that the majority waited so
long to bring up this resolution that the day we seek to honor has
already occurred.
However, even late, it is an important recognition and I am pleased
that there will be this recognition of that tribute to the survivors
that occurred last year.
Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, the sponsor of the House legislation is home with a
family member who is ill and unable to make his presentation. I ask for
support of this resolution.
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Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Gibbons) that the House suspend the rules
and concur in the Senate concurrent resolution, S. Con. Res. 76.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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