7534 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE April 27, 1999 Bassiouni has been nominated for the the closed doors of public bodies all ity for violence that, unfortunately, 1999 Nobel Peace Prize. The nominating over Louisiana so that citizens could still exists in the world. It is all too organization, the International and become better informed about the im- clear from the current ethnically and Scientific Professional Advisory Coun- portant business that was being con- religiously motivated conflicts in such cil of the UN has said that Professor ducted in their behalf. places as Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and Bassiouni was the ‘‘single most driving Of course, Douglas Manship’s immi- Sudan that we have not learned the force behind the global decision to es- nent fairness and objectivity didn’t lessons of the past. tablish the International Criminal stop him from expressing his opinion The ongoing campaign of violence Court.’’ This court prosecutes and and using his newspaper to champion a and hate perpetrated by Slobodan brings to justice internationally, those cause when he believed his state and Milosevic and his thugs against the who have committed crimes against his community could do better. In the Kosovar Albanians is but the latest ex- humanity. His accomplishments in this early 1960s, long before other southern ample of the campaigns of terror car- field have caused Professor Bassiouni media leaders recognized the need for ried out against innocent civilians sim- to be known as the ‘‘father of the racial integration, Douglas Manship ply because of who they are. These peo- International Criminal Court.’’ used his position at WBRZ-TV to bring ple are not combatants and they have Professor Bassiouni has been a great Baton Rouge community leaders to- committed no crimes—they are simply asset to the people of all nations. It gether to discuss ways to peacefully ethnic Albanians who wish to live in was his dedication and perseverance, in achieve racial integration. WBRZ’s peace in their homes in Kosovo. But, the face of great odds, that helped cre- courageous advocacy on behalf of de- because they are ethnic Albanians, ate an institution that holds account- segregation resulted in threats of vio- they have been murdered or driven out, able those who choose to commit lence against Manship and his station. their possessions have been looted, and human rights abuses. The vision of But he never backed down. And I be- their homes have been burned. Many Professor Bassiouni has culminated in lieve that Baton Rouge made great more are hiding in the mountains of a system that ensures that those who strides because of principled leaders Kosovo, caught in a dangerous limbo, commit crimes against humanity do like Douglas Manship who put the well- afraid to try to flee across the border not go unpunished. being of his community ahead of his to safety and unable to go home. Mr. President, M. Cherif Bassiouni economic interests. On April 13, we marked Yom has made an important difference in Nothing distinguished Douglas Hashoah, the annual remembrance of the battle against human rights Manship more than the strength of his the 6 million Jews who were abuses. It is my pleasure to rise today character and his strong sense, as he exterminated by Nazi Germany. People to pay tribute to his extraordinary put it, of who he was. ‘‘If there is any around the world gathered to light can- work and to congratulate him on his attribute that I have that has any dles and read the names of those who Nobel Peace Prize nomination.∑ meaning,’’ he once said, ‘‘it is that I died. Today, let us take a moment to f know exactly who I am. That’s where remember the victims of the 1915–1923 you get into trouble . . . when you Armenian genocide, and all the other TRIBUTE TO DOUGLAS MANSHIP, think you are something you are not. I innocent people who have died in the SR. believe that after all these years I have course of human history at the hands ∑ Mr. BREAUX. Mr. President, Lou- learned who I am, what my limitations of people who hated them simply for isiana is today mourning the loss of a are.’’ who they were.∑ giant in the news media, Douglas Mr. President, today we remember f Manship, Sr., the chairman emeritus of Douglas Manship as a principled com- HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE AT the Baton Rouge Advocate and the munity leader, a courageous and fair- TEMPLE BETH AMI founder of WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge. minded journalist and a loving father Douglas Manship devoted nearly all and husband. I know that I join with ∑ Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I call of his 80 years to providing the citizens the entire journalistic community of to the attention of my colleagues the of Louisiana with timely, objective and my state in saying that his presence recent Community-Wide Memorial Ob- thorough coverage of the day-to-day and leadership will be sorely missed.∑ servance of Yom HaShoah V’Hagvurah events of our state. In the process, he f held at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, and his family have always set the Maryland. I had the privilege of par- standard for excellence in news report- HONORING THE ARMENIAN VIC- ticipating in this Holocaust remem- ing in Louisiana, winning dozens of TIMS OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE brance ceremony sponsored by the Jew- statewide, regional and national jour- ∑ Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise ish Community Council of Greater nalism awards. today to honor the memory of the 1.5 Washington. I commend Temple Beth For most of this century, the million ethnic Armenians that were Ami for hosting this annual event and Manship name has been synonymous systematically murdered at the hands the Jewish Community Council for pro- with journalism in Louisiana. In fact, of the Ottoman Empire from 1915–1923. viding the community in Maryland and the school of mass communications at The 84th anniversary of the beginning the Washington, D.C. area with so our state’s flagship institution of high- of this brutal annihilation was marked many valuable services year-round. er learning, Louisiana State Univer- on April 24. The Holocaust represents the most sity, bears the Manship name and has During this nine year period, another tragic human chapter of the 20th cen- already trained a generation of young 250,000 ethnic Armenians were forced to tury when six million Jews perished as journalists to follow the example of flee their homes to escape the certain the result of a systematic and delib- journalistic excellence set by Douglas death that awaited them at the hands erate policy of annihilation. Holocaust Manship and his family. of a government-sanctioned force de- remembrance is an effort to pay hom- Those of us who knew Douglas termined to extinguish their existence. age to the victims and educate the pub- Manship knew him as someone totally A total of 1.75 million ethnic Arme- lic about the painful lessons of this committed to his community and just nians were either slaughtered or forced horrible tragedy. as dedicated to the daily dissemination to flee, leaving fewer than 80,000 in As my colleagues are aware, this of fair and objective news. In almost what is present-day Turkey. month marks the 54th year since the every way, Douglas Manship was what I have come to the floor to com- beginning of the liberation of the Nazi a journalist should be. He believed that memorate this horrific chapter in death camps in Europe and the 56th an- a public given the facts on a particular human history each year I have been a niversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Upris- issue would invariably make the right member of this body, both to honor ing. The occasion also is an oppor- decision. And he fought tirelessly those who died and to remind the tunity to remember the plight of the through his newspaper to throw open American people of the chilling capac- passengers aboard the S.S. St. Louis

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:59 Sep 29, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S27AP9.003 S27AP9 April 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE 7535 who sought to rebuild their shattered Spring day, but I stood frozen. In front of us ple began to understand the meaning and lives outside Europe. Most of the 937 in the Square, a carousel was turning around consequences of our experiences. They lis- men, women and children who fled Ger- and around. The music attracted my Polish tened. We survivors were no longer silent many on the St. Louis on May 13, 1939 neighbors and their children. I watched in presences. We became the bearers of tales— disbelief as they flocked to the merry-go- at once painful and precious. were seeking refuge from Nazi persecu- round, indifferent to the tragedy so nearby. We survivors are now publicly bearing wit- tion but were turned back months be- With every cry for help from my Jewish peo- ness. We are offering challenges to the indif- fore the outbreak of World War II. ple, tears swelled in my eyes. But the faces ference of Western governments, to the com- In his moving remarks at Temple of those around me showed no concern, no plicity of the Church, to the anti-Semitism Beth Ami, Benjamin Meed, the Presi- compassion, not even any interest. of Christianity, and to the evil of the per- dent of the American Gathering of Hol- The memory of this scene haunts and en- petrators, collaborators and—not the least— ocaust Survivors and a survivor him- rages me. How was it possible for these peo- to the bystanders. The movement to remem- self of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, ple to act ‘‘normally’’ while Jews, their ber and to record is being led by survivors neighbors for hundreds of years, burned and who accept the burden that history placed spoke eloquently before this assembly died inside the Ghetto walls? But they were upon us. of the importance of overcoming indif- not the only ones to ignore our plight. In- But whatever we know now, there is still ference to genocide. Ben Meed has dedi- deed, the entire world stood by. No doors so much that we do not know, we cannot cated himself to working hard along were opened, no policies were changed to know. There were the Six Million whose with many other survivors to ensure make rescue possible. Why? The question voices were silenced forever. We the few who that the memory of millions is still cries out for an answer across the decades. survived must speak about them even with us, and I believe that the United If only there had been a State of Israel though we cannot truly speak for them. States Holocaust Memorial Museum is sixty years ago, how different this story Although living in almost every state of could have been. this Union and following many professions, a fitting and exceptional tribute to his Tonight, we especially remember the pas- survivors are united by a common memory. efforts. In his words, the Holocaust Mu- sengers on the S.S. St. Louis—more than nine We walk the byways of this great country, seum is ‘‘the culmination of our devo- hundred men, women and children. Robbed of appreciative of its blessings of freedom and tion to Remembrance.’’ their possessions, stunned and hurt during possibilities. We try to express our gratitude Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- Kristallnacht, and threatened with their for life by the quality of our lives, offering sent that Benjamin Meed’s remarks at lives, many of them were forced to sign hope and solace, and teaching the mystery of Temple Beth Ami be entered into the agreements never to return to Germany. Out starting anew. on the high seas, powerless to affect their And now, over fifty years later, the world RECORD at this point. outcome, these nine hundred people floated has come to Remember with us. In Germany, REMARKS BY BENJAMIN MEED between political infighting and immigra- France, Austria, and England; in Colombia, It is a special honor to be among such dis- tion quarrels, both in Cuba and the United Brazil, and Argentina; in Australia and New tinguished colleagues, especially Rabbi Jack States. Their fates were in the hands of oth- Zealand, as well as Canada, in Israel, and in Luxemburg, vice chairman of the Wash- ers whom they did not know and with whom our own beloved country, Yom Hashoah is on ington Jewish Community Council and the they had no influence. Finally accepted by the calendar and commemorations are held Rabbi here at Temple Beth Ami; and Manny four European nations, many of these pas- in halls of honor. This is how memory is pre- (Emmanuel) Mandel, chairman of the Jewish sengers were swept into ‘‘the Final Solu- served—by determined, directed, dedication Community Council’s Holocaust Remem- tion’’ when Western Europe fell to Nazi Ger- to remembering—by telling and retelling the brance Committee. many. Why were these nine hundred denied stories of the holocaust. In this lovely new sanctuary that in itself entry into this country? Why was this trag- You who live in this city are privileged to demonstrates the vibrancy of the Jewish edy allowed to happen? have the United States Holocaust Memorial community in our nation’s capital, we unite If only there had been a State of Israel Museum—the culmination of our devotion to with Jewish people everywhere to remember sixty years ago! Remembrance—to visit at your convenience. those who were robbed and murdered by the This year our commemoration falls within This extraordinary institution, the largest German Nazis and their collaborators—only the anniversaries of the discovery of Buchen- Holocaust Museum outside of Yad Vashem, because they were born as Jews. wald concentration camp. On April 11, the has had more than twelve million visitors in Tonight, as we come together, we remem- troops of the United States 6th Armored Di- just five years. People come from near and ber the people, places and events that shaped vision rolled into the camp, just one mile far, both within the United States and from our memories: Memories of our ‘‘childhood,’’ outside Weimer, the birthplace of German around the world. This Museum represents of our parents and siblings, of the world democracy. They were followed by the 80th the fulfillment of our pledge and more. It which is now so far away. We remember the Infantry Division on April 12, just 54 years contains many documents and artifacts that laughter of children at play, the murmur of ago tonight. These were war-weary, war- testify about our experiences as well as pho- prayers at Shul, the warm love of our family hardened soldiers, but none of their fierce tographs and notes from our loved ones. But gathered for Shabbos meals. That world was combat had prepared them for Buchenwald— more—it is an expression of the hope of shattered by the German Nazis’ war against nor for the hundreds of other such camps every survivor—that no one anywhere in the the Jews, while the world of bystanders that American and Allied soldiers came world will ever have to endure what we did. around us was indifferent. across in their march to end the war in Eu- And what lessons did we derive from these Our memories are full of sorrow. Our rope. horrible experiences? The most important dreams are not dreams, but nightmares of We will always be grateful to these soldiers lesson is obvious—it can happen again, the final separation from those we loved. Parad- for their kindness and generosity, and we impossible is possible again. Ethnic cleans- ing before us, when we sleep, are the experi- will always remember those young soldiers ing, genocide, is happening as I speak. It can ences we endured—the endless years of who sacrificed their lives to bring us liberty. happen to any one or any group of people. ghettoes, labor camps, death camps, hiding Many American GIs who saw the camps The slaughter in Kosovo and in other places places where betrayal was always imminent; join with us in declaring that genocide must must be brought to an end. the forests and caves of the partisans where not be allowed to happen again. But despite Should there be another Holocaust, it may life was always on the line. And no matter the echoes from the Holocaust, it has—in be on a cosmic scale. How can we prevent it? where we were, we were always hungry. Cambodia, in Rwanda, in Bosnia, and now in All of us must remain vigilant—always Each of us has our own story. Fifty-five Kosovo. aware, always on guard against those who years ago, during the Warsaw Ghetto Upris- We remember and our hearts go out to are determined to destroy innocent human ing, I was in Krasinski Square, just outside those who are caught in the web of destruc- life for no other reason than birthright. of the walls of the Ghetto. I usually spent tion. Just as we survivors have dedicated our- my days in the zoo because I knew that the For many years, we survivors were alone selves to preserving memory and bearing animals could not denounce me to the Ger- in our memories. We spoke among ourselves witness, we are now equally determined to man Nazis or to their collaborators. To the about the Holocaust, because no one else make certain, in the little time we have left, animals, I was just another human being. wanted to hear our stories. Still, we believed that all survivors live out their years in se- But on this Sunday, as an ‘‘Aryan’’ member that the world must be told—must come to curity and dignity. Most of us have accom- of the Polish community, I went to church understand the significance of our experi- plished a great deal, but there are those who together with the Poles. ences. have been less fortunate. As you know, some As we came out of church into the Square, Slowly, acceptance of our memories live in distressing circumstances. Many are I heard the thunder of guns and the explosion began—at first, only by our fellow Jews, who forsaken, afflicted by illness, and, perhaps of grenades and I could see that the Jewish realized that what we had witnessed was vi- worst of all, they carry the nightmares of Ghetto was on fire. It may have been a warm tally important to them. In time, other peo- the Holocaust with them.

VerDate jul 14 2003 10:59 Sep 29, 2004 Jkt 069102 PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 0686 Sfmt 0634 E:\BR99\S27AP9.003 S27AP9 7536 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE April 27, 1999 Although the government of Germany has ceedings be approved to date, the leadership of this country to perhaps acknowledged to some degree its responsi- morning hour be deemed to have ex- do a little bit more listening than talk- bility for the robbery and murder of our peo- pired, and the time for the two leaders ing, so we can help find answers as to ple, the greatest in history, it has not fully be reserved for their use later in the why this tragedy happened in order to assumed its obligations. Recently, some Ger- man companies admitted their use of Jewish day. I also ask that at 10:30 a.m. the attempt to prevent it from happening slave labor during the Holocaust. The gov- Senate begin a period of morning busi- in the future. This is not the first such ernment and these companies have offered ness until 12 noon with Senators per- tragedy. This is, unfortunately, a long what they call reparations. But how can they mitted to speak for up to 10 minutes line of recent incidents. ever provide compensation for our stolen with the following exceptions: Senator It may prompt some parents or some real property, savings accounts, art, jewelry, LOTT, or his designee, 30 minutes; Sen- lawmakers to say ban all video games and personal belongings—the gold in our ator DURBIN, 30 minutes; and Senator and movies. It could prompt some peo- teeth, the use of our skills and bodies, the KERRY for 15 minutes. ple to say ban all guns and bomb-mak- pain and suffering inflicted upon each and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ing equipment everywhere in every in- every one of us? How can there ever be stance. It could prompt others to ei- enough money to pay for the wrongful im- objection, it is so ordered. ther call for severe censure of the prisonment, torture, starvation and murder f of six million Jews—in their homes, on the Internet or the abolition of the Inter- streets, in fields and forests, in the gas PROGRAM net. chambers? Is there a way that they can re- I suggest, as respectfully as possible, Mr. MCCAIN. For the information of store our families, our youth, our health, our that now may not be the time to push sense of personal security? Absolutely not! all Senators, the Senate will convene through laws or initiatives, either at Germany wants to project a new image to at 10:30 a.m. and be in a period of morn- the Federal or State level, before we the world, but it cannot be allowed to buy ing business until 12 noon. Following can get some answers to these very the honor it deserted during the Holocaust. morning business, the Senate will im- troubling questions. It must account for the horrible atrocities of mediately resume debate on the Y2K I am not suggesting that nothing be its past. We must not permit Germany to legislation. I encourage my colleagues shift the focus away from its moral and fi- done—absolutely the opposite, that we to come to the floor to debate this im- do some things, but after we under- nancial responsibility for the slaughter of portant issue. Further, the Senate may our people, acts for which there is no statute stand a little bit better why some of of limitations. Germany will be eternally re- consider any other legislative or execu- these things in these schools actually sponsible for the murder of the Six Million. tive items cleared for action during to- took place. At the least, Germany must provide appro- day’s session of the Senate. As an example, let me point out that priate care for the survivors of their atroc- f when TWA Flight 800 exploded over ities who need help. More than anything, ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT Long Island, the Federal Aviation Ad- this is a moral issue. It is not welfare. It is ministration and the National Trans- not a business deal. It is a ‘‘debt of honor,’’ Mr. MCCAIN. If there is no further portation Safety Board spent over 2 as Chancellor Adenauer said many years ago. business to come before the Senate, I years working around the clock, haul- Maybe the claims of Holocaust survivors now ask unanimous consent that the are unprecedented; but so was the robbery ing wreckage from the ocean and me- and murder. We will not stop until Germany Senate stand in adjournment under the thodically rebuilding this airplane, and and all the other nations who participated in previous order following the remarks of an exhaustive investigation deter- the extermination process fulfill their obli- the Senator from Louisiana. mined the cause. The FBI assigned 600 gations. It is the right thing to do—for them The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without agents to the case and conducted 4,000 and for us. objection, it is so ordered. interviews with eyewitnesses, mechan- Let us Remember! f ics, people at the airport—anyone they Thank you.∑ LITTLETON could find who might be able to provide f answers. Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I am As a nation, we gladly undertook this MEASURE READ THE FIRST happy to note the overwhelming vote TIME—S.J. RES. 22 massive effort so that millions of peo- that just occurred to try, in some ple who step on airplanes every day, Mr. MCCAIN. I understand S.J. Res. small way, to express the feeling of who pack their suitcases and their 22 introduced earlier by Senator JEF- this body about the recent tragedy in briefcases and board airplanes, can feel FORDS for himself and others is at the Littleton, CO. It is a first step of per- secure that their Government is trying desk, and I ask that it be read the first haps many that will be taken to prop- to keep them safe. time. erly address this tragedy. I suggest we undertake a similar ef- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The The massacre that occurred makes us fort, that we most certainly should clerk will report. all want to jump to action, because we spend the time and the resources to The assistant legislative clerk read are action-oriented individuals and an find out what happened in Colorado, in as follows: action-oriented body. That is why we Mississippi, in Oregon, in Arkansas, so A joint resolution (S.J. Res. 22) to reau- are here—to do things. I think the that these parents and children and thorize and modify conditions for the con- tendency in a situation like this is to other children can have some answers sent of Congress to the Northeast Interstate want to jump out and do things so we as to what happened and how we can Dairy Compact, and to grant the consent of can prevent another tragedy in the fu- prevent this before it spreads to more Congress to the Southern Dairy Compact. ture. The problem is, with that ap- places in more States. Mr. MCCAIN. I now ask for its second proach, this situation has actually I am hopeful that as we talk among reading and object to my own request. raised more questions than it has pro- ourselves and hear from the public at The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- vided answers. home and listen more carefully, we tion is heard. I will share with Members some of think about the possibility of creating f the leading news articles this week. a strong bipartisan commission that is ‘‘Why?’’ Newsweek asks. ‘‘Why?’’ U.S. given the resources and the time to ask ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL News & World Report asks. Again, a these questions and to find answers. 28, 1999 very important question that should be Hopefully, a commission such as this Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask answered. could be led by some of the strongest unanimous consent that when the Sen- Time Magazine asked, What can Members on both sides of the aisle, to ate completes its business today, it schools do? Where were the parents? come up with the answers so we can stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m. These are all very, very important craft the proper solutions. Some of on Wednesday, April 28. I further ask questions that should be answered. them will be government solutions as that on Wednesday, immediately fol- It is important at this time in the in a Federal law; some will be govern- lowing the prayer, the Journal of pro- Senate and in the House and within the ment solutions at a State and local

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