[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 59 (Thursday, April 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E406-E407]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE HERITAGE OF ROMANI 
                               AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 4, 2019

  Mr. HASTINGS. Madam Speaker, this body has long recognized the 
accomplishments and unique heritage of cultures that make up and enrich 
the United States. Today, I, along with my colleague Representative 
Steve Watkins of Kansas, am proud to introduce a resolution recognizing 
and celebrating the heritage of Romani Americans.
  Few cultures are as geographically diverse as the Romani people. 
Tracing their ancestry to the Indian subcontinent, the Romani people 
migrated and settled throughout Europe over the last millennia. Often, 
they faced scorn, hatred, persecution and discrimination. Nevertheless, 
they maintained their unique language and culture while enriching the 
culture and economies of the countries in which they became citizens. 
They have made distinct and important contributions in many fields 
including agriculture, art, crafts, literature, medicine, military 
service, music, sports, and science.
  In 2005, the European Parliament estimated that there were 12 to 15 
million Roma in Europe. Roma were among the many groups of people that 
suffered at the hands of the Nazis and their allies during World War 
II. It is estimated that between 200,000 to 500,000 Romani people were 
killed in death camps and elsewhere throughout Europe. In an attempt to 
liquidate the so-called ``Gypsy Family Camp'' at Auschwitz-Birkenau, on 
August 2 to 3, 1944, between 4,200 and 4,300 Romani men, women, and 
children were murdered in gas chambers in a single night. This year 
marks the 75th anniversary of that tragic event.
  Roma have also been a part of every wave of European migration to 
North and South America. In the United States, there may be as many as 
1 million Americans with some Romani ancestry, whether distant or more 
recent.
  Representative Steny Hoyer was the first Member of Congress to raise 
concern about the situation of Roma, doing so in meetings with Romanian 
government representatives during a 1990 congressional visit to Romania 
not long after the execution of Nicolae Ceausescu. In 1994, the late 
Congressman Tom Lantos, himself a Holocaust survivor, convened 
Congress's first hearing regarding the situation of the Romani people. 
That hearing, before the Subcommittee on International Security, 
International Organizations and Human Rights, received testimony from 
Dr. Ian Hancock, Andrzej Mirga, Klara Orgovanova, and Nicolae Gheorghe.
  Though a great deal has changed since then, sadly, Romani people 
still face widespread human rights abuses and discrimination in 
employment, housing, and education. However, there is greater urgency 
for Roma to advance their causes today than ever before as evidenced by 
organizations such as the European Roma Rights Center and the still new 
European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture.
  The Helsinki Commission has maintained robust engagement on these 
issues and, as

[[Page E407]]

chairman during this Congress, I will build on those practices.
  The resolution I am introducing today does four things. First, it 
celebrates Romani American Heritage. Second, it supports International 
Roma Day and the Department of State's robust engagement in related 
activities. April 8 marks ``International Roma Day'' around the world 
and is a day to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of the 
issues facing Romani people. Third, it commemorates the 75th 
anniversary of the destruction of the ``Gypsy Family Camp'' at 
Auschwitz. Fourth, it commends the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum for 
its critically important role in promoting remembrance of the Holocaust 
and educating about the genocide of Roma.
  Madam Speaker, I respectfully ask all Members to support this 
resolution and for its timely consideration on the House Floor.

                          ____________________