[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 27, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING THE NATURALIZATION OF BERENDINA R.H. (DIET) EMAN

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                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 27, 2007

  Mr. EHLERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Ms. Berendina 
R.H. (Diet) Eman, who this morning became one of the newest citizens of 
our United States of America.
  Ms. Eman is a native of The Netherlands, but has been a lawful, 
permanent resident of the United States in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for 
more than 4 decades. Ms. Eman deserves special recognition because 
during World War II, she was a member of the Dutch Underground 
Resistance to the Nazi occupiers of The Netherlands. As a young woman, 
Diet bravely and courageously saved the lives of countless Jewish Dutch 
citizens, helped numerous Allied soldiers escape from Axis forces and 
ultimately was imprisoned in the Vught concentration camp for her 
activities.
  For these many acts of bravery, Ms. Eman was recognized immediately 
after the war by Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower, then the Supreme Allied 
Commander in Europe. She received a certificate signed by General 
Eisenhower expressing ``the gratitude and appreciation of the American 
people for gallant service in assisting the escape of Allied soldiers 
from the enemy.''
  Years later, Diet was recognized by the Government of The Netherlands 
for her acts and also received a letter of commendation from President 
Ronald Reagan in 1982. In that letter, President Reagan noted that she 
``helped write one of the great chapters in the annals of bravery,'' 
adding, ``In risking your safety to adhere to a higher law of decency 
and morality, you have set a high and fearless standard for all those 
who oppose totalitarianism.''
  She is now nearly 87 years old, and I am humbled by her excitement to 
become a U.S. Citizen after first coming to our country on December 31, 
1960. This morning at 10 a.m., she was sworn in as a citizen by the 
Hon. Robert Holmes Bell in a private oath ceremony in Grand Rapids, 
Michigan. Although I was unable to attend the ceremony due to our 
duties here in Washington, I hope the members of this House of 
Representatives will join me in thanking Ms. Eman for her incredible 
acts of bravery and congratulating her upon becoming a citizen of our 
country.

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