[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CALLING FOR DIGNITY, COMFORT, AND SUPPORT FOR HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 30, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
323, which supports efforts in ensuring that all Holocaust survivors in 
the United States are able to live in comfort and dignity. I am proud 
to co-sponsor H. Con. Res. 323 and I thank my colleague, Congresswoman 
Debbie Wasserman Schultz for introducing this resolution.
  The Nazis systematically exterminated over six million Jewish people 
and killed between 11 and 17 million people overall. They established 
concentration camps, including the infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau, 
Treblinka, Belzec, and Sobibor where they worked people to death and 
systematically exterminated them.
  There are approximately 127,000 Holocaust survivors currently living 
in the United States. These survivors live everyday with the scars from 
this tragedy. They were forced to live in concentration, labor, or 
death camps where they were tortured by Nazi soldiers. Those 
individuals ``lucky enough'' to escape the labor camps, were forced to 
flee their countries leaving their families, homes, and possessions 
behind.
  All of the Holocaust survivors are at least 65 years old with the 
majority being over 75. These individuals are five times more likely to 
be living in poverty than other Americans their age. More than two-
thirds live alone.
  Non-profit organizations provide many essential services to Holocaust 
survivors. These organizations often are underappreciated for all of 
the great work that they do. I am pleased that this resolution also 
recognizes the efforts of these organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. 
Res. 323. We must work to ensure that all Holocaust survivors are able 
to live out their remaining years in comfort and dignity.

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