[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 48 (Thursday, April 27, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              YOM HASHOAH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Ms. SCHWARTZ of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Day.
  On this day of remembrance, we mourn--as a community, as a nation, 
and as a world--the 6 million Jews who lost their lives during one of 
the darkest periods of our history. We pray that those still pained and 
anguished by the unimaginable suffering may find peace and comfort. And 
we reflect on what can happen when the world fails to confront evil, 
hatred, and bigotry.
  Yom Hashoah is also a time to remember the individual acts of 
martyrdom and heroism committed during the Holocaust. We recall those 
brave Jewish martyrs in the Warsaw ghetto armed only with pistols and 
Molotov cocktails who repulsed the sophisticated weaponry of the Nazis 
for one month. We recall those righteous gentiles who risked their 
lives to shelter and protect Jews. And, we recall those who were forced 
to leave their homeland in search of new lives in unfamiliar lands.
  My mother, Renee Perl, was one of the many who had to flee their 
homeland. Forced to start anew at the mere age of 14, she left 
Austria--alone--spending time in Holland and England before arriving in 
Philadelphia at 16.
  Once arriving at the shores of America, my mother--like so many 
Jews--was hesitant to tell her story--hoping that by trying to forget 
about the war she could move on. But, little by little, we came to know 
her story and the enduring pain it caused for her and so many others.
  As we move further and further away from this period of history, 
those who witnessed such acts and those of us--who have heard first-
hand accounts become fewer. It is our duty to pass their stories along 
so that future generations can reflect on their courage, valor, and 
heroism. And, it is our obligation to tell their stories so all of us 
Jews and non-Jews--can heed the lessons of the Holocaust.
  Mr. Speaker, I am tremendously grateful for being able to share my 
family's experience. I know my mother would be proud to know that we 
are not only paying tribute to those who suffered tremendous pain and 
hardship, but recalling the Jewish people's great spirit to survive, 
our continued faith in God, and our unwavering belief in freedom and 
democracy.

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