[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 14]
[House]
[Page 19934]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    FRENCH RAIL/HOLOCAUST SETTLEMENT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness about 
Holocaust survivors' continued quest for justice, an ever-elusive goal 
still nearly three-quarters of a century after living through the 
crimes of modern humanity's darkest period.
  Though it is said that the moral universe's arc bends toward justice, 
time is not a luxury we can afford any longer for elderly Holocaust 
survivors.

                              {time}  1015

  Of the approximately half a million Holocaust survivors, around half 
of them live at or near poverty. Can you imagine that? Holocaust 
survivors should be able to live out the remaining days in comfort and 
with the knowledge that their long-sought justice has finally been 
achieved.
  Recently, Mr. Speaker, an agreement was reached between the 
Government of France and the United States regarding victims of 
Holocaust-related deportations during the Nazi era. The French rail 
company, SNCF, knowingly and willfully transported tens of thousands of 
Holocaust victims to concentration camps and near certain death during 
the Second World War. They were paid to do this.
  For over 70 years, SNCF, the French rail company and the French 
Government eluded any and all responsibility for these actions. For 
years, I have been fighting for justice for all victims of the 
Holocaust.
  On this issue in particular, I have joined Representative Carolyn B. 
Maloney of New York as she attempted to shepherd the Holocaust Rail 
Justice Act through Congress over the past few sessions. I want to 
thank the gentlewoman from New York for her leadership and her 
unyielding effort to hold SNCF accountable for its heinous actions.
  While the agreement reached over SNCF's--remember, that is the French 
rail company--culpability in the deaths of tens of thousands of Jews is 
not the optimal solution, it is imperative that we do hold these 
perpetrators accountable and that we win justice for as many Holocaust 
survivors and their heirs as possible.
  However, Mr. Speaker, it is important that Holocaust survivors and 
their families are made aware of this agreement and the claims process. 
Many do not know of this.
  For more information, questions, and to file a claim, the State 
Department has set up a Web site at www.state.gov/
deportationclaims.com. I know that is very difficult. Or you can call 
202-776-8385, or send an email to [email protected].
  That is a lot to take in.
  Or contact your congressional Representative, and we can help.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge everyone to spread the word to make sure that 
every Holocaust survivor eligible gets an opportunity to file a claim. 
I want to thank the continued efforts and the support of the many 
Holocaust survivors that I am blessed to have in my congressional 
district who have been at the forefront in the fight for justice for 
survivors and their heirs.
  My good friends, David Mermelstein, David Schaecter, Joe Sachs, Alex 
Gross, Herbie Karliner, Jack Rubin, and so many others--they have seen 
the unforgettable, and they have lived through the unthinkable. Yet, 
they continue steadfast in the fight for justice against those who have 
committed the unforgivable and the unthinkable.
  I, also, want to thank the others who have pursued justice for these 
individuals at every turn, like my good friend and long-time 
constituent, Sam Dubbin. Sam has been instrumental in highlighting 
fraud at the Claims Conference, that we know now, very clearly, 
occurred over decades and deprived Holocaust survivors of at least tens 
of millions of dollars, and the real numbers are likely even higher.
  Next year, Mr. Speaker, I plan to introduce my bill, once again, to 
allow survivors to have their day in court. That is all the bill does, 
to have their day in court, because we now know that the Claims 
Conference process has failed so many of the Holocaust survivors.
  Mr. Speaker, time is of the essence. We owe survivors and their heirs 
every opportunity to achieve justice. I urge my colleagues to continue 
this fight on behalf of the remaining Holocaust survivors and their 
heirs to get the word out to their constituents and their local 
community leaders.
  If you know someone who may be eligible to receive compensation under 
this incredibly horrific act done by the French rail company to 
transport victims to certain death, please direct them to the State 
Department Web site. The deadline is May 31 next year. Let's get the 
word out as soon and as far as possible.

                          ____________________