[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      JUSTICE FOR UNCOMPENSATED SURVIVORS TODAY (JUST) ACT OF 2017

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                               speech of

                  HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2018

  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 447, the 
Justice for Uncompensated Survivor Today (JUST) Act of 2017.
  This legislation directs the Department of State to report annually 
on progress certain European states have made to restore land and 
possessions stolen during the Holocaust, with the intent of encouraging 
justice worldwide for Holocaust victims.
  Eight years ago, forty-six countries vowed in the Terezin Declaration 
on Holocaust Era Assets and Related Issues to facilitate the return of 
property and possessions stolen from Holocaust Victims. Regrettably, 
not every country has expediently honored their promises to support the 
restoration of stolen items and address the claims of survivors. This 
bipartisan legislation will use the United States' considerable 
international influence to encourage all participating states to create 
and implement policies that will quickly restore the possessions that 
were taken from the Jewish citizens of Europe.
  The victims of the Holocaust experienced immeasurable and 
unimaginable suffering, and I am committed to providing all possible 
assistance in restoring what was stolen from them. S. 447 is an 
excellent tool to ensure the process of returning items and property is 
more efficient and it encourages all members of the Terezin Declaration 
to act with the urgency they agreed to eight years ago.

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