[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 17, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RAOUL WALLENBERG CENTENNIAL ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th 
anniversary of Raoul Wallenberg's birth. Raoul Wallenberg continues to 
be one of the most respected and courageous humanitarians to have 
sacrificed his life to save thousands of Hungarian Jews during the 
Holocaust.
  Born on August 4, 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden, Wallenberg was a Swedish 
diplomat and a true humanitarian who creatively and courageously came 
up with measures to protect Hungarian Jews from persecution and death 
during the German invasion of Hungary during World War II. He hung 
Swedish flags in front of nearly 30 houses, declaring them Swedish 
territory--turning these ``Swedish houses'' into protected territory in 
which Hungarian Jews could seek shelter. He also distributed thousands 
of Swedish ``protective passes,'' even as some were in the midst of 
being deported, prompting their release from German authorities and 
saving their lives.
  Posthumously, Mr. Wallenberg has been honored by countries throughout 
the world in numerous capacities. There are awards, streets, parks and 
schools named after him, countless memorials erected in his honor, and 
in 1981, Congress passed legislation to make him an Honorary Citizen of 
the United States. His life is celebrated annually on October 5th in 
more than a dozen states. His bravery continues to be an inspiration.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in recognizing the 100th 
anniversary of the birth of Raoul Wallenberg; may his courage serve as 
a guide to all of us who are committed to the protection of human 
rights.

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