[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21824]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     A TRIBUTE TO BARUCH TENENBAUM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to pay tribute to Baruch 
Tenenbaum, a truly remarkable person. He has, in an extraordinary way, 
made enormous efforts to promote the life and mission of World War II 
hero Raoul Wallenberg. As a young Swedish diplomat, Wallenberg was 
responsible for saving nearly 100,000 Jews in Budapest from the horror 
of the Holocaust. This brave man disappeared in 1945, last seen going 
to meet with members of the Soviet army. Though many theories regarding 
his disappearance abound, the world continues to wait for answers 
regarding Wallenberg's fate. Mr. Tenenbaum is one of the most visible 
leaders in carrying on Raoul Wallenberg's name.

   Mr. Speaker, even before Mr. Tenenbaum started to work for Raoul 
Wallenberg's cause he had lived an extraordinary life. He was devoted 
to supporting the Jewish community in Argentina and to creating a 
deeper understanding between Jews and Catholics worldwide. He was the 
First General Director of the Argentine-Israeli Cultural Institute and 
focused the majority of his efforts on educational endeavors. Some of 
his undertakings included founding the Tarbut School and organizing the 
first Latin American Bible contest. In addition, he translated Spanish 
classics and Haskala literature into Hebrew and Yiddish.

   In 1966, together with writer Jorge Lues Borges, Tenenbaum founded 
the first inter-confessional organization, Casa Argentina en Jerusalem 
(Argentine House in Jerusalem). This organization has received many 
distinctions on behalf of the Vatican for its work in promoting 
ecumenism. Tenenbaum's outstanding commitment to the Jewish and 
Catholic communities has earned him accolades and honors from Pope Paul 
VI and from Monsignor Antonio Caggiano, Cardinal Primate of Argentina.

   Mr. Tenenbaum and I co-founded the International Raoul Wallenberg 
Foundation (IRWF) in 1997. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to 
make Raoul Wallenberg's story known around the world. Mr. Tenenbaum has 
personally convinced over 60 heads of states to become members of IRWF. 
Some members include German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder, Israeli Prime 
Minister Ariel Sharon, former U.S. President Gerald Ford, and Nobel 
Peace Prize Laureates Dalai Lama and Elie Wiesel.
   Mr. Speaker, I know you will agree that preserving the memory of 
Raoul Wallenberg is very important. Wallenberg is a truly timeless role 
model for all generations, representing an ideal sense of selflessness 
and caring of all people. He taught us about the importance of standing 
up for the immutable rights of all people and the need to combat evil 
when it confronts us. Wallenberg will always serve as a reminder of the 
tremendous difference just one man can make, and keeping his spirit 
alive means ensuring and preserving the spirit of humanity. In carrying 
on Raoul Wallenberg's name, Mr. Tenenbaum has made a tremendous effort 
in keeping his spirit alive and carrying his message on to future 
generations.
   Under the direction of Mr. Tenenbaum, the IRWF has undertaken a 
number of various endeavors to further the memories of Holocaust 
heroes, including Raoul Wallenberg. There have been a number of statues 
raised and countless exhibits displayed around the world as a result of 
IRWF's efforts, honoring keepers of humanity during the Holocaust. In 
addition, Wallenberg has been honored throughout the world with 
commemorative postage stamps, and a number of streets and schools named 
in his honor. The IRWF's goals for these initiatives in honor of 
Wallenberg and other Holocaust heroes is to stimulate the educational 
authorities in dozens of countries to teach not only the stories of the 
Holocaust, but also the stories of the heroes that emerged from the 
horrors. By educating future generations about the plight of Holocaust 
heroes like Wallenberg, perhaps they will adopt just a fraction of the 
humanitarian values these brave men and women held.
   Mr. Speaker, at the age of 67, Mr. Tenenbaum has never received a 
salary nor any other financial compensation for his work. He covers 
nearly all IRWF expenses himself and he devotes all his time to the 
Raoul Wallenberg cause. I am honored to pay tribute to this 
extraordinary man and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Baruch Tenenbaum for his outstanding achievements. This 
exceptional person is truly an inspiration to us all. Like the man 
whose legacy he works tirelessly to preserve, Mr. Tenenbaum is living 
proof that one man can make a difference.

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