[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 42 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E372]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A COMMEMORATION OF NIKA FLEISSIG

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. ANN KIRKPATRICK

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2014

  Mrs. KIRKPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I 
recognize the life and work of Nika Fleissig. As a young woman, Ms. 
Fleissig lost her entire family during the Holocaust in Poland, but she 
survived to tell a heroic and inspiring story.
  Ms. Fleissig was born Bronislawa Felicia Kohn in 1920 and was raised 
by her loving family in Krakow, Poland, until Nazi anti-Jewish laws 
caused her father to lose his business and forced the family to move 
from their home. By 1942, both of Ms. Fleissig's parents and her 
younger brother had been killed by the Nazis. She was left completely 
alone. Through the goodwill of virtuous and brave friends, and with her 
own talent for languages, she survived on her own.
  After surviving the bombing of Warsaw and near-starvation living in 
bombed-out buildings, Ms. Fleissig was eventually captured and 
incarcerated in a prisoner of war camp in Oberlangen, Germany. 
Throughout 1944 and 1945, Ms. Fleissig survived unthinkable hunger, 
abuse and deprivation until April 12, 1945, when she was freed from the 
concentration camp by Polish and Canadian forces.
  Ms. Fleissig immediately began working with Allied forces to assist 
refugees and other victims of the war. As a speaker of English, French, 
German and Polish, Ms. Fleissig was an unrivaled contributor to this 
cause. Ms. Fleissig first served the British military by accompanying 
officers to displaced persons camps to help people rebuild their lives. 
She then assisted the American Army in a similar capacity. Ms. Fleissig 
was given an American uniform and the rank of Lieutenant.
  On February 14, 1946--Valentine's Day--Ms. Fleissig arrived in New 
York City and for the first time saw the Statue of Liberty and America. 
Her new life in her new country had begun.

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