[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 184 (Tuesday, November 7, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE HEROIC SERVICE OF KADRI CAKRANI DURING THE HOLOCAUST

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 7, 2023

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take this opportunity 
to recognize the humanitarian efforts of Albanian Commandant General 
Kadri Cakrani.
  On Saturday, November 11, 2023, the Albanian and Southeastern 
European Studies Program at DePaul University will host an event 
entitled, The Cakrani Family of Albania: Repairing the Fabric of 
History, that will honor the work of General Cakrani in protecting Jews 
during the Holocaust and advancing Democracy in Albania. Illinois is 
the home of many relatives of General Cakrani, including my 
constituents Elizabeth Cakrani Vrato, Evan Metaj, and Abigail Vrato--
his granddaughter, great-great grandson, and great-great granddaughter, 
respectively.
  During the German occupation of Albania, Commandant-General Cakrani 
led the protection of over 600 Jewish refugees and residents in the 
Berat region from Nazi capture during the Holocaust. At risk of death, 
General Cakrani lied to Nazi officials about the whereabouts of Jews 
hiding in Albania and guided efforts to shelter Jews in safe hiding 
locations, including his own home. His courage and leadership 
contributed to Albania being the only European country that ended World 
War II with more Jewish residents than at the start of the war. 
Further, General Cakrani sheltered three American Army nurses and 
secretly returned them to Allies after their plane crashed in Albania.
  In 1951, General Cakrani moved to the United States after President 
Harry Truman granted him political asylum. He worked with the U.S. 
Intelligence to try to bring Democracy to Albania for the remainder of 
his life. The lives and safety of families and individuals depended on 
General Cakrani's silence about his efforts during his lifetime. The 
DePaul event is a step to recognize his humanitarian work during and 
after the war.
  The Auschwitz Memorial Museum, the United States Holocaust Museum, 
the Illinois Holocaust Museum, the Jerusalem Post, and the Israel Hayom 
have all recognized General Cakrani's service and bravery. Illinois 
Governor J.B. Pritzker recently issued an executive proclamation 
recognizing November 11, 2023, as Kadri Cakrani Day in Illinois.
  I wish to add my voice to those recognizing the service and bravery 
of Commandant-General Kadri Cakrani in the protection of Jews during 
the Holocaust and his work to promote Democracy in Albania. I wish his 
family well as they honor his work this week at the DePaul event on 
Kadri Cakrani Day in Illinois.

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