[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 118 (Thursday, July 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1493-E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING RWA SLOVAKIA AND HFPJC-AVOYSEINU FOR THE PRESERVATION OF 
                         THE MARCELOVA CEMETERY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2008

  Mr. ENGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise to call to the attention of the 
House of Representatives the work of Heritage Foundation for 
Preservation of Jewish Cemeteries, HFPJC-Avoyseinu in preserving Jewish 
cemeteries in Europe and to offer recognition to RWA Slovakia for their 
humanitarian contribution to the protection of a Jewish cemetery in 
Marcelova, Slovakia.
  I have the highest respect for HFPJC and its efforts to preserve 
Jewish cemeteries throughout Europe. The Nazis not only destroyed the 
Jewish population of Europe during the Holocaust, but they left Jewish 
cemeteries in ruin. The fall of the iron curtain and

[[Page E1494]]

the brutal rule of the communists in Eastern Europe only further 
desecrated the final resting places of millions of Jews. HFPJC is 
trying to right the wrongs of the preceding decades by working with 
communities throughout Europe to preserve the graves of their 
ancestors.
  In my work with HFPJC on preservation of cemeteries in Slovakia, I 
have learned about the Marcelova Jewish Cemetery Project and the role 
the RWA Slovakia company played in enabling the cemetery's 
preservation. I would like to share this important story of generosity 
and interfaith understanding with the House.
  The Marcelova Jewish cemetery site, after the Holocaust, became a 
deserted wasteland and passed from community to municipal to private 
ownership. RWA corporation owned the Marcelova Jewish cemetery lot for 
at least the past decade. As a burial ground, the Marcelova cemetery is 
sacred to people of the Jewish faith. HFPJC, acting on behalf of some 
highly concerned Marcelova descendants, attempted to secure the return 
and appropriate preservation of the cemetery before it is accidentally 
desecrated through construction or development.
  After individual meetings between both the Marcelova mayor and 
several managing officers of RWA, in which all displayed exceptional 
courtesy, consideration, and understanding of the humanitarian 
significance of the issue, RWA agreed to allow the fencing and 
preservation of the cemetery site, adjoining their office complex. I 
have seen photographs of the restoration of the cemetery and would like 
to offer my highest commendation to RWA Slovakia for their work with 
HFPJC to preserve the Marcelova Jewish cemetery.
  Madam Speaker, this is a generous and humane gesture on the part of 
RWA Slovakia, and is worthy of public recognition. Therefore, with this 
statement in the Congressional Record of the House of Representatives 
of the United States, I officially commend the RWA Corporation of 
Slovakia for its preservation of the Marcelova Jewish cemetery.

                          ____________________