[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 20 (Thursday, February 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE FOR HOLOCAUST VICTIMS MEMORIAL DAY

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                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to call to 
the attention of my colleagues two very important statements affirming 
the historical significance of the Holocaust by our new Secretary-
General, Ban Ki-Moon, at the U.N. in New York.
  The Secretary-General's first statement on January 17 stresses the 
uniqueness and undeniability of the Holocaust as a tragic historical 
event, and reaffirms the United Nations' commitment to observe the 
International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust annually on 
January 27. Secretary-General Ban's strong statement demonstrates that 
he is committed to fulfill Kofi Annan's legacy as the first Secretary-
General who dedicated himself to moving the United Nations past its sad 
and crippling legacy of anti-Semitism.
  The second statement, made on January 26, welcomes the adoption of a 
U.N. resolution refuting the putrid attempt by the Iranian President, 
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, to sow discord and hatred in the international 
community by attempting to deny the historical reality of Hitler's 
systematic slaughter of millions of Jews. Secretary Ban's statement 
demonstrates strong leadership in facing down the Iranian dictator by 
declaring the denial of historical events to be ``unacceptable.''
  The new Secretary-General deserves our strong support as he moves 
forward in his effort to confront the anti-Semitic climate that 
pollutes the United Nations.

   Secretary-General, in Message for Holocaust Victims Memorial Day, 
     Stresses Importance of Reasserting Commitment to Human Rights

       New York, Jan. 19.--Following is the text of United Nations 
     Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's message for the second 
     observance of the International Day in Memory of the Victims 
     of the Holocaust, to be observed on 27 January:
       The Holocaust was a unique and undeniable tragedy. Decades 
     later, the systematic murder of millions of Jews and others 
     retains its power to shock. The ability of the Nazis to 
     command a following, despite their utter depravity, still 
     strikes fear. And above all, the pain remains: for ageing 
     survivors, and for all of us as a human family that witnessed 
     a descent into barbarism.
       The work of remembrance pays tribute to those who perished. 
     But it also plays a vital role in our efforts to stem the 
     tide of human cruelty. It keeps us vigilant for new outbreaks 
     of anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance. And it is an 
     essential response to those misguided individuals who claim 
     that the Holocaust never happened, or has been exaggerated.
       The International Day in Memory of the Victims of the 
     Holocaust is thus a day on which we must reassert our 
     commitment to human rights. That cause was brutally 
     desecrated at Auschwitz, and by genocides and atrocities 
     since.
       We must also go beyond remembrance, and make sure that new 
     generations know this history. We must apply the lessons of 
     the Holocaust to today's world. And we must do our utmost so 
     that all peoples must enjoy the protections and rights for 
     which the United Nations stands.
       On this International Day, I reiterate my strong commitment 
     to that mission, and call on all to join in our common quest 
     for human dignity.
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 Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General, 
            General Assembly Resolution on Holocaust Denial

       New York, Jan. 26.--The Secretary-General welcomes the 
     adoption by the General Assembly today of a resolution 
     unequivocally condemning any denial of the Holocaust.
       This reflects the prevailing view of the international 
     community. The Secretary-General reiterates his conviction 
     that the denial of historical facts such as the Holocaust is 
     unacceptable. He expresses his strong desire to see this 
     fundamental principle respected both in rhetoric and in 
     practice.

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