[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1914-E1915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SUPPORTING RESTITUTION FOR PROPERTY CONFISCATED BY NAZI AND COMMUNIST 
                                REGIMES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. WEXLER. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 371, which supports the fair, comprehensive and 
immediate restitution of property illegally confiscated during the last 
century by the Nazis, Nazi-allied governments and Communist regimes.
  As many of you know, survivors are in the waning years of their 
lives, and it is incumbent on Congress and the administration to 
clearly articulate our unequivocal support, as we have done in previous 
Congresses, for just and immediate property restitution or 
compensation.
  While there are some nations in Europe that have enacted legislation 
for the restitution of or compensation for private and communal

[[Page E1915]]

property, there remain several that have not passed or implemented 
legislation.
  Congress and the administration must continue to work with and 
encourage our European allies to rectify historical wrongs and bring a 
measure of closure for Holocaust Survivors and those individuals who 
lived under the deadly yoke of Communism.
  Despite repeated promises by some governments, Holocaust survivors 
and heirs have struggled and waited for over six decades to recover 
their property or receive adequate compensation.
  The resolution before us today simply calls on Central and European 
countries, more specifically Poland and Lithuania, to enact fair, 
comprehensive and just legislation to allow for restitution of 
properties that were illegally taken away from citizens and communities 
during the last century.
  With respect to Poland, I want to commend Polish Prime Minister Tusk 
for his public commitment to introduce property restitution 
legislation. As the Polish government moves the legislative process 
forward, it is essential that a claims process be created that is un-
bureaucratic, simple, transparent and easy for claimants to use. I urge 
the Bush administration to continue to directly engage the Polish 
Government over the coming months and to express their strong support 
for a claims process that is fair and just for survivors and other 
claimants.
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in support of this resolution 
and in support of fair and just property restitution, which is long 
overdue.

                          ____________________