H1706 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 2003 the WHO’s mission. The people of Taiwan are Tragically, the world community has never those present have voted in the affirm- volunteering these resources to fight global fully benefited from the medical advancements ative. epidemics, and we are turning them away at made by Taiwanese doctors and scientists be- Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, on the door. They have demonstrated this time cause Taiwan lacks WHO membership. Tai- that I demand the yeas and nays. after time—in Haiti; in El Salvador; and more wan enjoys one of the highest life expectancy The yeas and nays were ordered. recently by contributing a million dollars to the rates in Asia, has relatively low infant and ma- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. ternal mortality rates, and has eradicated ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the The world needs all the help it can get. Tai- major infectious diseases such as cholera, Chair’s prior announcement, further wan is not asking to join the WHO as a state, smallpox, and polio. Additionally, Taiwan’s proceedings on this motion will be but rather as an observer. The case for ob- government was the first in the world to pro- postponed. server status at the WHO is clear, and the vide children with free hepatitis B vaccinations. f Bush Administration should make it happen. Until the international community recognizes I strongly support H.R. 441, and urge my that each country in the world will benefit COMMEMORATING 60TH ANNIVER- colleagues to do so as well. multi-fold from Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHO, SARY OF HISTORIC RESCUE OF Mr. WU. Madam Speaker, I rise today in political pressure from the People’s Republic 50,000 BULGARIAN JEWS FROM strong support to H.R. 441, a bill to authorize of China will trump the spread of Taiwan’s THE HOLOCAUST the United States to seek observer status for medical advancements. Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I Taiwan within the World Health Organization Madam Speaker, health has no borders, move to suspend the rules and agree to (WHO). and certainly neither does disease. Taiwan’s the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. Every May, the World Health Assembly 23 million citizens suffer every single time re- 77) commemorating the 60th anniver- meets to consider the acceptance of new lief is delayed simply because Taiwan is not a sary of the historic rescue of 50,000 Bul- members to the WHO. Unfortunately, even as part of the WHO. Likewise, the world commu- garian Jews from the Holocaust and Taiwan is among the leaders in Asia in impor- nity suffers each time its access to Taiwan’s commending the Bulgarian people for tant health indicators, such as life expectancy medical advancements is limited for the same preserving and continuing their tradi- and infant mortality, it is unable to contribute reason. tion of ethnic and religious tolerance, to the WHO. Taiwan’s readmittance to the WHO is long as amended. While nationhood is a membership require- overdue. With passage of this bill today, the The Clerk read as follows: ment, the WHO does provide observer status State Department is again given the nec- H. CON. RES. 77 to such entities as the Vatican, the Knights of essary tools to push forward on Taiwan’s re- Malta, and the Palestinian Liberation Organi- Whereas the people of the United States quest. H.R. 441 is not a political statement and the Republic of Bulgaria respect all zation. As a self-governing and democratic is- against the People’s Republic of China. In- faiths, including Judaism and Jewish cul- land of twenty-three million people, and as a stead, it is recognition of opportunity for the ture; potential member with a great deal to con- entire world community. The successes of Tai- Whereas during World War II, despite being tribute to the WHO, I strongly support WHO wan’s medical experts must no longer remain allied with Germany, Bulgarians did not cede observer status for Taiwan. locked in a chamber of politics, and access to to Nazi pressure to fully enforce anti-Jewish As we once again approach the annual these ideas must be extended to all countries. legislation and resisted orders to deport World Health Assembly, I urge Secretary Colin I urge my colleagues to support this bill. their Jewish compatriots to Nazi concentra- Powell and Secretary Tommy Thompson to May we all look forward to a day when Taiwan tion camps; work with our friends around the world to ob- Whereas in the spring of 1943 the Bulgarian is admitted back into the World Health Organi- people succeeded in preventing the deporta- tain WHO observer status for Taiwan. I urge zation, an organization it helped build 55 years tion of 50,000 Jews to such camps; my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 441. ago. Whereas it is acknowledged with sadness Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Madam Speaker, I that the deportation of over 11,000 jews from I rise today in support of H.R. 441, a bill en- rise today in support of H.R. 441, a resolution Thrace and Macedonia, territories which dorsing observer status for Taiwan at the an- to authorize a United States plan to endorse were administered by Bulgaria at that time, nual summit of the World Health Organization and obtain status for Taiwan at the annual to Nazi concentration camps, took place; in May 2003. I thank my good friend, Mr. summit of the World Health Assembly in May Whereas Bulgaria was the only European country during World War II to increase its BROWN of Ohio, for introducing the bill, and I 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland. Jewish population; look forward to voting for it. In response to an appeal from the United Whereas members of the Bulgarian Par- Madam Speaker, over the years, this body Nations and the United States, the govern- liament, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, has been divided on a variety of foreign policy ment of Taiwan donated $1,000,000 to the King Boris III, politicians, intellectuals, and issues. What the House has not been divided Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and citizens all played a part in the resistance to on, however, is its support for Taiwan, espe- Malaria. Taiwan has also been a sovereign Nazi pressure to carry out the deportation; cially as it pertains to its status in the World state since its founding in 1912. Although Whereas March 2003 marks the 60th anni- Health Organization. The fact remains that China has exercised control over Taiwan, Tai- versary of Bulgaria’s refusal to deport its Jews to Nazi concentration camps; Taiwan’s exclusion from the WHO not only wan is a democratic and free society duly hurts Taiwan, but also the entire international Whereas the Bulgarian people today pre- elected by the people. serve and continue their tradition of ethnic community. As a sovereign state, Taiwan has acceded and religious tolerance; and The WHO’s constitution states that ‘‘the en- to the World Trade Organization and, despite Whereas President George W. Bush and joyment of the highest standard of health is the PRC’s objections, I believe it is time for Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha one of the fundamental rights of every human Taiwan to also obtain status as a member of are leading the United States and Bulgaria being without distinction of race, religion, polit- the World Health Organization. into a long-term strategic partnership: Now, ical belief, economic or social condition.’’ Yet, I fully support the intent of H.R. 441 and I therefore, be it the constitution of the WHO has been dis- also urge my colleagues to support his bill. Resolved by the House of Representatives (the regarded when the inclusion of Taiwan in the Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have Senate concurring), That Congress— (1) commemorates the 60th anniversary of WHO, even at observer status, has been laid no further requests for time, and I the historic rescue of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews on the table. This time for this to change is yield back the balance of my time. from the Holocaust and commends the Bul- now. Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I have garian people for preserving and continuing Few recall that Taiwan was an original no further requests for time, and I their tradition of ethnic and religious toler- member of the WHO, participating as a full yield back the balance of my time. ance; and member from 1948 until 1972. The United Na- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. (2) reiterates its support for strong ties be- tions’ 1972 decision to award Taiwan’s seat to BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- tween the United States and Bulgaria. the People’s Republic of China resulted in Tai- tion offered by the gentleman from The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- wan’s replacement at the WHO. Since then, Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) that the House sus- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Taiwan has sought to be readmitted into the pend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) and the gentleman WHO at the same time it has built one of the 441. from California (Mr. LANTOS) each will world’s most dynamic free market economies The question was taken. control 20 minutes. and become a leading technological and sci- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the The Chair recognizes the gentleman entific population. opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT).

VerDate Jan 31 2003 06:05 Mar 12, 2003 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A11MR7.007 H11PT1 March 11, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1707 GENERAL LEAVE Madam Speaker, I rise in strong sup- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I ask port of this resolution. First, I would ance of my time. unanimous consent that all Members like to commend the gentleman from Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I may have 5 legislative days within South Carolina (Mr. WILSON) for his yield such time as he may consume to which to revise and extend their re- leadership on this important resolu- the gentleman from South Carolina marks and include extraneous material tion. I also want to recognize the con- (Mr. WILSON), the principal sponsor of on H. Con. Res. 77. tributions to this measure of the gen- the bill. I might note that the gen- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there tleman from Illinois (Mr. HYDE) and tleman from South Carolina (Mr. WIL- objection to the request of the gen- the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT). SON) is likely to become a grandfather tleman from Ohio? Madam Speaker, just in the past year for the first time within the next few There was no objection. Congress has focused attention on hours. Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I growing anti-Semitism in Europe. Un- Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. yield myself such time as I may con- fortunately, some European leaders Madam Speaker, I rise today with the sume. have used the pretext of the Middle great honor of introducing a bill with Madam Speaker, I rise today in sup- East conflict to justify this ugly phe- the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. port of H. Con. Res. 77, a resolution nomenon of the 20th century re- TAUSCHER) and the gentleman from commemorating the 60th anniversary appearing in the 21st century. California (Mr. LANTOS) to recognize of the historic rescue of 50,000 Bul- Therefore, it gives me great pleasure the 60th anniversary of the historic garian Jews from the Holocaust. This to commend an important U.S. ally, a rescue of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews from resolution was introduced by the gen- future member of NATO, on what it did the Holocaust and commending the tleman from South Carolina (Mr. WIL- during the darkest hours of European Bulgarian people for preserving and SON). H. Con. Res. 77 recognizes a rel- history. Bulgaria’s actions during the continuing their tradition of ethnic atively unknown but exceedingly im- Second World War prove that a small and religious tolerance. portant event in the history of Bul- nation can have a tremendously posi- b 1515 garia and the history of Europe. tive impact on humanity. In Bulgaria, This resolution commends the Bul- the effort to resist the Nazi pressure to As the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. garian people for their actions in 1943 enforce anti-Jewish laws and to deport CHABOT) just mentioned, this indeed is and for preserving and continuing their its Jewish citizens to death camps was a special day for me. It is a special day tradition of ethnic and religious toler- undertaken by the full spectrum of because I am so happy to tell the peo- ance. In the spring of 1943, the Bul- Bulgarian society. Members of the Bul- ple of the world about the wonderful garian people succeeded in protecting garian Parliament, the Bulgarian Or- people that I have had the opportunity Bulgaria’s entire Jewish population thodox Church, politicians, intellec- to be associated with in the Republic of from deportation and death in Nazi tuals, but most importantly, ordinary Bulgaria. It is a special day because my concentration camps. This happened citizens all played a part in the resist- daughter-in-law, Lauren, is in Bethesda despite the fact that Bulgaria was offi- ance to Nazi pressure to carry out the right now. She is in labor awaiting the cially allied with Nazi Germany from unconscionable act of deportation to birth of our first grandchild. This is an March 1941 until September 1944. Bul- death camps. extraordinary day on behalf of my son, garia’s legislators, clergymen, civic March 2003 marks the 60th anniver- who is an ensign in the U.S. Navy, leaders, intellectuals, and ordinary sary of Bulgaria’s historic refusal to Addison. We are indeed looking forward citizens, through a series of protests deport its Jews to Nazi concentration to the birth of Addison Graves Wilson, and appeals, blocked Nazi attempts to camps. III. In fact, my wife is with the other deport Bulgarian Jews to death camps Some years ago at the initiative of prospective grandparents. My wife, in Poland. The entire Bulgarian nation, my wife, she and I went to Bulgaria to Roxanne, and Julie and Craig Houston the people, the Parliament, the King express our appreciation for this heroic of West Columbia, South Carolina, are and the Orthodox Church stood united action of the Bulgarian people during on I–95 as we speak coming up for the and confronted the Nazi terror. As a re- the most difficult years of the Second blessed event. We are just very grate- sult, in that critical moment in his- World War. We met with a broad spec- ful. tory, not even one of Bulgaria’s 50,000 trum of Bulgarian people, and we had My association with Bulgaria, it is a Jews was deported to Nazi gas cham- the opportunity of telling them that bit unusual for someone from South bers. their little recognized heroic action is Carolina to have an association with a In fact, I am told that Bulgaria was deeply appreciated by the American country which does not have signifi- the only country in Europe in which people and the Congress of the United cant immigration to our State. It real- the Jewish population actually in- States. ly started, and I need to give thanks to creased during World War II. The Bul- Sadly, Bulgaria was unique among the late Lee Atwater, chairman of the garian people should be commended for its East European neighbors. In too Republican National Committee. He saving their fellow countrymen and many instances, the populations of appointed me to be an observer for the compatriots from the Holocaust. Bul- other countries occupied by the Nazis first democratic elections that had oc- garians today should be proud of their turned against their Jewish com- curred in decades in Bulgaria on June predecessors’ courage and heroism, and patriots or remained indifferent to 10, 1990. I had the extraordinary oppor- we recognize today this historic action their nightmare fate. tunity of visiting Bulgaria. I do not that was taken. In a country and re- That is why today, Madam Speaker, I want to give anybody the impression I gion of such long and deep history, at shudder when I hear the excuses used am a world traveler, because it was my the crossroads of civilizations, we by some governments in Europe to ex- first visit to Europe. It was an extraor- should also recognize the tradition of plain the rise of anti-Semitism again dinary opportunity, though, for me. ethnic and religious tolerance in Bul- on that continent. As we commend I had gone to Bulgaria fully expect- garia and what it might mean today Bulgaria for this historic rescue, we ing to find the most slavish Soviet sat- for the Balkans, for Europe, for the must note that neighboring Macedonia ellite. It was a country that was Middle East, and for the world. is marking the tragedy of the deporta- marked with a bitter dictatorship and Madam Speaker, I would again like tion of over 11,000 Jews to Nazi death a loyalty to the former Soviet Union to commend Bulgaria and the Bul- camps. This region was under the con- that was unparalleled among the sat- garian people for this historic event, trol of Bulgarian authorities at the ellite countries of Eastern and Central and I urge strong support for this reso- time, but the Jewish residents did not Europe. When I arrived, it was, in fact, lution. have Bulgarian citizenship and were significantly different. It was like a Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- not saved from the Nazi death camps. country frozen in time. I found people ance of my time. They all perished. who were really back to about 1939. It Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I Madam Speaker, I urge all of my col- was an extraordinary circumstance of a yield myself such time as I may con- leagues to support this important reso- country where the people were just ter- sume. lution. rific. They were very friendly, they

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:22 Mar 12, 2003 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K11MR7.027 H11PT1 H1708 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 11, 2003 were very open, they were excited (Mr. BEREUTER), the chairman of the cial part in mobilizing public support about the efforts that Ronald Reagan Subcommittee on Europe. And of against the deportation and exerting had made of peace through strength, course, somebody near and dear to me, its influence on the government. the liberation of Eastern and Central the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. CHABOT), Metropolitans Stefan in Sofia and Kiril Europe. I also found a country which I who has been a real leader. And the in Plovdiv actively contributed to the could identify with coming from the professional staff has been so helpful. campaign against state discrimination southeastern part of the United States, The rescue of the Bulgarian Jews of the Jews. which is in the southeastern part of from the Holocaust. In the spring of The broad popular and civil move- Europe. 1943, a period when Jews across Europe ment in defense of the Bulgarian Jews I found a very friendly meteorolog- were subjected to total extermination culminated in May 1943 when the plan ical climate. The people were friendly. in the Nazi death camps, the Bulgarian of deportation was finally aborted. The geography was remarkably similar people, politicians and civic leaders King Boris III played a decisive role in to my home State of South Carolina. through a series of resolute actions this decision by not ceding to Hitler’s They have beautiful beaches to the succeeded in protecting their 50,000 increasing pressure and not allowing east on the Black Sea, there is a mid- Jewish compatriots from deportation the deportation to happen. The King lands very similar to where I represent to the death camps. Bulgaria was the resisted Hitler’s demands with the ar- in Congress, and then there are moun- only country in Europe to increase its gument that the Bulgarian Jews were tains to the west. It was a time to real- Jewish population during World War II. needed as a workforce in Bulgaria. At ly feel at home. I met wonderful peo- This happened despite Nazi pressure the end of May 1943, about 20,000 Jews ple. The first person who greeted me and the fact that Bulgaria was offi- from Sofia were sent to work camps in was a candidate for the National As- cially an ally of Hitler Germany as the countryside where they were as- sembly, Stefan Stoyanov. Stefan ulti- part of the Axis from March 1941 until signed heavy labor duties and lived in mately was elected to their par- September 1944. miserable conditions; but they sur- liament, the National Assembly. Then Despite the anti-Jewish legislation vived. Many other political and profes- I had the good fortune of hosting him and the heavy restrictions of the rights sional organizations and groups of in- to observe our elections in November of of the Jewish population adopted by tellectuals joined actively in this na- 1990. This was hosted by various civic the Bulgarian Government and Par- tional effort. The credit as a whole be- organizations: the Rotary Clubs, the liament in 1941–1942, anti-Semitism was longs to the Bulgarian people who Kiwanis Clubs, the Optimist Clubs, the never morally accepted by the Bul- showed courage and strength in defend- Lions Clubs of the central part of garian society. King Boris III and the ing their fellow Jewish countrymen. South Carolina, the midlands of South majority of the members of Parliament Bulgarians today feel proud of the Carolina. They raised money for As- only reluctantly followed Hitler’s offi- courage of their predecessors to save semblyman Stoyanov to come visit. At cial policy, resisting the implementa- from deportation and death nearly that time it was an extraordinary elec- tion of the anti-Jewish legislation and 50,000 Bulgarian Jews. tion victory for Governor Carroll regulations in their entirety. As a re- I have seen firsthand the good will of Campbell, who was reelected. Governor sult of Nazi pressure, in February 1943 the Bulgarian people as an observer of Campbell took the Bulgarian assembly- a secret agreement was reached to Bulgaria’s first democratic elections in man to the stage for recognition on start the secret deportation of Jews by 1990, and I have witnessed the progress election night at the victory party. It cargo trains in the first days of March of Bulgaria’s democracy away from was an extraordinary event. 1943. communism. I commend the efforts of I then had the opportunity to visit Due to the prompt public reaction patriots like Prime Minister Simeon later that year with the democratically and the resolute intervention of a Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Ambassador Elena elected members of the National As- group of active citizens, church leaders Poptodorova, Foreign Minister Sol- sembly, thanks to the Free Congress and politicians, led by Deputy Speaker omon Pasi, Defense Minister Nikolai Foundation and Mr. Paul Weyrich and, of the Bulgarian National Assembly Svinarov, Deputy Chief of Mission in particular, the late Dr. Bob Krieble, Dimitar Peshev, the Minister of Inte- Emil Yalnazov, and Bulgarian Ambas- who is the founder of the Krieble Insti- rior Gabrovski was forced on 9 March sador to Greece Stefan Stoyanov for tute, which has worked so well to es- 1943 to cancel the deportation orders continuing important reforms and for tablish democracy in the formerly- for the Jews from several Bulgarian leading their entry into NATO. Communist countries. It was an ex- cities. The trains, which had been wait- We are proud of our allied Bulgaria. traordinary opportunity to be what Dr. ing to be loaded with Bulgarian Jews As cochairman of the House Caucus on Krieble called an agent of influence, and sent to the concentration camps in Bulgaria along with the gentlewoman and it was positive influence, to pro- Poland, did not depart. Unfortunately, from California (Mrs. TAUSCHER), it is mote democracy. about 12,000 Jews from Aegean Thrace my privilege to introduce this legisla- I then returned several years later and Macedonia, who did not at that tion. I urge my colleagues to support and saw remarkable change. Through time have Bulgarian citizenship and House Concurrent Resolution 77. the sister city program of the Colum- had been already driven out of their Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I bia International Affairs Association, homes by the special forces of the Jew- yield myself such time as I may con- we have a sister city relationship with ish Commissariat, could not be saved sume. Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bul- and were deported through Bulgarian First, I want to commend my friend garia. Columbia, the capital of South territory to Germany. The horrible for his powerful and eloquent and Carolina, is very fortunate to be associ- sight of train compositions packed thoughtful statement. I would like to ated with this ancient city. It was with Jews from Thrace and Macedonia add that it is no accident that as we known as Philippopolis. It was known crossing Bulgarian territory had a tre- speak, Bulgaria is standing tall with as Trimontium. I found the history of mendous impact on public opinion in the United States at the United Na- Bulgaria to go back to Roman and Bulgaria and strengthened even more tions at another critical juncture of Greek times. It is just a phenomenal the popular resistance against deporta- history. experience of wonderful people. I was tion. Mr. BEREUTER. Madam Speaker, this very fortunate at that time to have my Later, in March 1943, 43 members of Member rises today in strong support of H. son with me, Addison, Jr., who then the Bulgarian Parliament from the rul- Con. Res. 77, a resolution recognizing and left that next week to be a midshipman ing majority, led by Deputy Speaker commending the Bulgarian people for a little- at the U.S. Naval Academy. Dimitar Peshev, addressed a bold and known, but extraordinary, historical fact. The In the particular bill today, I am decisive letter to the then Prime Min- resolution was introduced by the distinguished very grateful for the leadership of the ister Filov in which they called a pos- gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. WILSON), gentleman from Illinois (Mr. HYDE), sible deportation of Jews an inadmis- and this Member is pleased to be an original the chairman of the Committee on sible act with grave moral and political cosponsor. International Relations. I want to consequences for the country. The Bul- This resolution seeks to commemorate the thank the gentleman from Nebraska garian Orthodox Church played a cru- 60th anniversary of a historic act of courage

VerDate Jan 31 2003 04:22 Mar 12, 2003 Jkt 019006 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K11MR7.029 H11PT1 March 11, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1709 and heroism: the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews nized, and its people should be commended. Richard K. Armey Room. Former Ma- from the Nazi Holocaust in 1943. In that crit- Bulgaria should be an example to a region jority Leader Dick Armey represented ical moment of history, the Bulgarian people, that has been torn apart by so much hatred the 26th Congressional District of from every walk of life, through a series of res- and violence over the past decade. Let Bul- Texas for 18 years, and his dedication olute actions, successfully stopped the depor- garia’s history be an example to the Balkins to the 26th district and to the State of tation of Bulgaria’s Jewish population to Nazi and Southeastern Europe. Let Bulgaria’s his- Texas had no bounds. He represented death camps. tory be an example to all of Europe today, the constituents with honesty, integ- Bulgaria was officially allied with Hitler Ger- East and West, North and South, Old and rity, and was passionate about his fis- many from March 1941 until September 1944, New. cally conservative principles. I now but anti-Semitism was never morally accepted Madam Speaker, on this occasion, this represent this same district and will by Bulgarian society. It is said that King Boris Member urges strong support for this resolu- follow in the same spirit. The people of III and the majority of the Members of Par- tion and would also particularly like to thank this district, the State of Texas, and liament only reluctantly followed Hitler’s official Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian people, for Bul- our great Nation are better off as a re- policies, resisting the implementation of anti- garia’s exceptionally strong support and co- sult of Dr. Armey’s leadership in Con- Jewish legislation and other restrictions in their operation with America in the international war gress. Former Majority Leader Armey was entirety. on terrorism. In February 1943, as a result of Nazi pres- Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I have the first of his family to attend college. He rose from humble beginnings in sure, a secret agreement on the deportation of no further requests for time, and I rural North Dakota to the pinnacle of Bulgarian Jews to Germany was signed be- yield back the balance of my time. American government. His was not a tween Hitler’s special envoy Dannecker and Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I have path of privilege but of hard work, the Bulgarian Commissar on Jewish Affair no further requests for time, and I dedication and strong beliefs. He Belev. The plan was to start the secret depor- yield back the balance of my time. earned a bachelor’s degree from James- tation of Jews by cargo trains in the first days The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. town College, a master’s degree from of March 1943. BIGGERT). The question is on the mo- the University of North Dakota, and a Due to immediate public reaction and the tion offered by the gentleman from doctorate from the University of Okla- resolute intervention of a group of active citi- Ohio (Mr. CHABOT) that the House sus- homa. zens, church leaders and politicians, led by pend the rules and agree to the concur- In 1984, Dr. Armey was elected to his the Deputy Speaker of the Bulgarian National rent resolution, H. Con. Res. 77, as first of nine terms in this body. He Assembly Dimitar Peshev, the Minister of Inte- amended. quickly made a name for himself as rior Nikola Gabrovski was forced on March 9, The question was taken. someone dedicated to sound public 1943 to cancel deportation orders for Jews The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the policies based on conservative prin- from several Bulgarian cities. The trains, which opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of ciples. During his time in the House, he had been waiting to be loaded and sent to those present have voted in the affirm- was instrumental in passage of public concentration camps in Poland, did not depart. ative. housing reform, closing of obsolete and Unfortunately, about 12,000 Jews from Ae- Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, on unnecessary military bases, and farm gean Thrace and Macedonia, who did not at that I demand the yeas and nays. legislation reform, each of which saved that time have Bulgarian citizenship and who The yeas and nays were ordered. the American people money and al- had already been driven out of their homes by The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- lowed the Federal Government to bet- the special forces of the Jewish Commissariat, ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the ter serve the communities impacted. were deported through Bulgarian territory to Chair’s prior announcement, further b 1530 Germany. The horrible sight of trains carrying proceedings on this motion will be Jews from Thrace and Macedonia crossing postponed. Dick Armey was also a steadfast con- Bulgaria and strengthened even more the pop- servative who advocated fundamental ular resistance against deportation. f tax reform and brought the implemen- Later in march 1943, 43 members of the RICHARD K. ARMEY ROOM tation of the flat tax to the national stage. These achievements and ideas Bulgarian Parliament from the ruling majority, Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I led by the Deputy Speaker Dimitar Peshev, all came as all of Dick Armey’s accom- move to suspend the rules and agree to plishments came, through hard work, addressed a bold and decisive letter to the the resolution (H. Res. 19) designating then-Prime Minister Bogdan Filov, in which persistence and dedication. the room numbered H–236 in the House In 1992, Representative Armey was they called a possible deportation of the Jews of Representatives wing of the Capitol an ‘‘inadmissible act’’ which ‘‘grave moral and elected to the position of conference as the ‘‘Richard K. Armey Room’’. chairman of the House Republicans, political consequences’’ for the country. The Clerk read as follows: The Bulgarian Orthodox Church played a the top policy position within the Re- publican Conference. In 1994, when Re- crucial part in mobilizing public support against H. RES. 19 publicans won a majority of seats in the deportation and exerting its influence on Whereas, at the end of the 107th Congress, this House of Representatives for the the government. Metropolitans Sefan in Sofia Representative Richard K. Armey retired after 18 years of distinguished service in the first time in 40 years, Representative and Kiril in Plovdiv actively contributed to this House of Representatives, including service Armey was elected to serve as majority effort. as the Majority Leader for 8 years, the long- leader, a position he held for 8 years, The broad popular and civil movement in est tenure of any Republican Majority Lead- one of the longest terms of any major- defense of the Bulgarian Jews culminated in er in 92 years: Now, therefore, be it ity leader in the history of this body. May 1943 when the plan of deportation was fi- Resolved, That the room numbered H–236 in In addition to his leadership roles, nally aborted. King Boris III played a decisive the House of Representatives wing of the Majority Leader Armey also served as role in this decision by not ceding to Hitler’s Capitol shall be known and designated as the ‘‘Richard K. Armey Room’’. cochairman of the Joint Economic increasing pressure and by not allowing the Committee and as chairman of the Se- deportation to happen. Many other political The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- lect Committee on Homeland Security, and professional organizations and groups of ant to the rule, the gentleman from which was responsible for writing the intellectuals actively participated in this na- Texas (Mr. BURGESS) and the gentle- legislation creating the Department of tional movement. woman from the District of Columbia Homeland Security. The credit as a whole belongs to the Bul- (Ms. NORTON) each will control 20 min- The naming of Room 236 as the Rich- garian people who showed courage and utes. ard K. Armey Room is a fitting tribute strength in defending their fellow countrymen. The Chair recognizes the gentleman to a dedicated public servant. I support Bulgarians today rightly feel proud of the ac- from Texas (Mr. BURGESS). the legislation and encourage all of my tions of their predecessors to save from de- Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I colleagues to do the same. portation and death nearly 50,000 Bulgarian yield myself such time as I may con- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- Jews. sume. ance of my time. Bulgaria should be proud of this historical Madam Speaker, House Resolution 19 Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I event, and its tradition of ethnic and religious designates room 236 in the House wing yield myself such time as I may con- tolerance. Bulgaria’s history should be recog- of the United States Capitol as the sume.

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