May 19, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4449 Minister of Israel, appointed Shimon Peres to (3) The men and women serving in the overhead expenses, and the cost of the gold serve as Director General of the Ministry of MFAA Section were referred to as the medal. Defense. ‘‘Monuments Men’’. SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS. He worked to re-organizing the Ministry of (4) These individuals had expertise as mu- (a) NATIONAL MEDALS.—The medals struck seum directors, curators, art historians, art- Defense, and developing the ability of Israel to pursuant to this Act are national medals for ists, architects, and educators. purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United defend itself. (5) In December 1943, General Dwight D. Ei- States Code. Israel remains America’s staunchest friend senhower empowered the Monuments Men by (b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of in the region—a friendship that has grown issuing orders to all commanders that stated section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, stronger over 6 decades. Israel and the United they must respect monuments ‘‘so far as war all medals struck under this Act shall be States join to celebrate the accomplishments allows’’. considered to be numismatic items. of President Peres in contributing to peace (6) Initially the Monuments Men were in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- and security for the region. tended to protect and temporarily repair the monuments, churches, and cathedrals of Eu- ant to the rule, the gentleman from Israel shares the United States appreciation Michigan (Mr. HUIZENGA) and the gen- for democratic values, common strategic inter- rope suffering damage due to combat. (7) Hitler and the Nazis engaged in a pre- tleman from Massachusetts (Mr. CAPU- est, and moral bonds of friendship and mutual meditated, mass theft of art and stored ANO) each will control 20 minutes. respect. priceless works in thousands of art reposi- b 1700 The establishment of a modern State of tories throughout Europe. Israel as a homeland for the Jews followed the (8) The Monuments Men adapted their mis- GENERAL LEAVE murder of more than 6 million European Jews sion to identify, preserve, catalogue, and re- Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. during the Holocaust. This tragic chapter in patriate almost 5,000,000 artistic and cultural Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that world history will never be forgotten and the items which they discovered. all Members have 5 legislative days establishment of a modern State of Israel in (9) This magnitude of cultural preservation within which to revise and extend their was unprecedented during a time of conflict. no way relieves those responsible for that ter- (10) The Monuments Men grew to no more remarks and submit extraneous mate- rible crime. than 350 individuals and joined front line rials for the RECORD on H.R. 3658, cur- The people of Israel have established a vi- military forces; two Monuments Men lost rently under consideration. brant and functioning pluralistic democratic po- their lives in action. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there litical system including freedom of speech, a (11) Following the Allied victory, the objection to the request of the gen- free press, free and open elections, the rule of Monuments Men remained abroad to rebuild tleman from Michigan? law, and other important democratic principles cultural life in Europe through organizing There was no objection. and practices. art exhibitions and concerts. Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues recog- (12) Many of the Monuments Men became Speaker, I yield myself such time as I nizing the work of President Peres and look renowned directors and curators of pre- eminent international cultural institutions, may consume. forward to his continued work to advance professors at institutions of higher edu- I rise today in support of H.R. 3658, message of peace and security he has cham- cation, and founders of artistic associations the Monuments Men Recognition Act pioned through his efforts as a statesman, both before and after the war. of 2013, introduced by the gentlewoman scholar and leader of a great nation. (13) The Monuments Men Foundation for from Texas (Ms. GRANGER). This bill The SPEAKER pro tempore. The the Preservation of Art was founded in 2007 authorizes the minting and award of a question is on the motion offered by to honor the legacy of the men and women single gold medal collectively in honor the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. who served as Monuments Men. of the heroic role played by the men (14) There are only five surviving members HUIZENGA) that the House suspend the and women of that group in ensuring rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2939, as of the Monuments Men as of December 2013. SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. the preservation, protection, and res- amended. titution of monuments, works of art, The question was taken; and (two- (a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—The Speaker of the House of Representatives and and artifacts of cultural importance thirds being in the affirmative) the the President pro tempore of the Senate during and following World War II. The rules were suspended and the bill, as shall make appropriate arrangements for the medal would be given to the Smithso- amended, was passed. presentation, on behalf of the Congress, of a nian Institution, where it would be A motion to reconsider was laid on gold medal of appropriate design in com- available for display or loan as appro- the table. memoration to Monuments Men, in recogni- priate. f tion of their heroic role in the preservation, protection, and restitution of monuments, Mr. Speaker, even before the stain of MONUMENTS MEN RECOGNITION works of art, and artifacts of cultural impor- World War II began to spread across ACT OF 2013 tance during and following World War II. Europe, priceless cultural objects were ESIGN AND TRIKING being damaged or appropriated from Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. (b) D S .—For purposes of the presentation referred to in subsection their rightful owners by corrupt gov- Speaker, I move to suspend the rules (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (referred ernments. When the horrific carnage of and pass the bill (H.R. 3658) to grant to in this Act as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall war descended over the continent, the Congressional Gold Medal, collec- strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, many other works—paintings, monu- tively, to the Monuments Men, in rec- devices, and inscriptions, to be determined ments, cathedrals and other build- ognition of their heroic role in the by the Secretary. ings—were threatened, damaged, or de- preservation, protection, and restitu- (c) SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.— stroyed, marring or obliterating cen- tion of monuments, works of art, and (1) IN GENERAL.—Following the award of the gold medal in honor of the Monuments turies of incredibly beautiful handi- artifacts of cultural importance during Men, the gold medal shall be given to the work. and following World War II. Smithsonian Institution, where it will be Recognizing this disaster, President The Clerk read the title of the bill. available for display as appropriate and The text of the bill is as follows: Roosevelt formed the American Com- available for research. mission for the Protection and Salvage H.R. 3658 (2) SENSE OF THE CONGRESS.—It is the sense Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- of the Congress that the Smithsonian Insti- of Artistic and Historic Monuments in resentatives of the United States of America in tution should make the gold medal awarded War Areas in 1943, and the Commission Congress assembled, pursuant to this Act available for display facilitated the formation of the monu- SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. elsewhere, particularly at appropriate loca- ments, fine arts, and archives section This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Monuments tions associated with the Monuments Men, under the Allied armies. The men and Men Recognition Act of 2013’’. and that preference should be given to loca- women who worked tirelessly at the SEC. 2. FINDINGS. tions affiliated with the Smithsonian Insti- Commission, at home but mostly The Congress finds the following: tution. abroad, were empowered by General (1) On June 23, 1943, President Franklin D. SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS. Dwight D. Eisenhower to carry out Roosevelt formed the ‘‘American Commis- The Secretary may strike and sell dupli- their work throughout Europe, even on sion for the Protection and Salvage of Artis- cates in bronze of the gold medal struck pur- tic and Historic Monuments in War Areas’’. suant to section 3 under such regulations as the front lines, and became known as (2) The Commission established the Monu- the Secretary may prescribe, at a price suffi- the Monuments Men. ments, Fine Arts, and Archives (‘‘MFAA’’) cient to cover the cost thereof, including As I had noted earlier as we were Section under the Allied Armies. labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and talking about one of the other medals,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:06 May 20, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A19MY7.002 H19MYPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE H4450 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 19, 2014 my father happened to serve in Italy Hunt in History.’’ It was that evening Monuments Men, and he also, I guess, during World War II. I know that was when I realized how critical these men had something to do with the movie one of his concerns as he was going and women were in preserving Euro- with George Clooney. That helped to around seeing the damage and the car- pean cultural history and how remark- bring a measure of fame to these brave nage that had happened there, what able their task was during the Second men and women, but the United States had been lost to that war. Of course World War. Congress should go further and bring some of those artworks were irrep- While death and destruction sur- this official honor to them for their arably damaged or some never even re- rounded them, their mission was the work in preserving our cultural herit- covered. As we have seen in headlines complete opposite: to protect cultural age. as recently as the last couple of weeks, treasures so far as war allowed. This Over the last few years since I have some are still even being recovered. special military unit was tasked with been in Congress, and my first term Without the heroic work of the Monu- helping to locate works of art con- was 2007, the Monuments Men seemed ments Men, much of Europe’s cultural fiscated by the Nazis and return them to be a continual presence in my serv- heritage would have been lost or for- to their rightful owners. The Monu- ice. In 2007, my first year, I was proud ever remain hidden after it was stolen. ments Men and women were able to lo- to support a resolution honoring them. After the war, many of the Monu- cate, preserve, and return almost 5 mil- In a ceremony on the Senate side that ments Men stayed in the business of lion cultural items, including many of I went to, I had the fortune to meet Mr. preserving and displaying art. Many the world’s greatest works of art. Edsel, who told their story, but also to became renowned directors and cura- Today, there are only six surviving meet a few of the surviving Monuments tors of preeminent international cul- members—five men and one woman—of Men. tural institutions, professors at insti- the Monuments Men. As Memorial Day Then I saw the movie this past year tutions of higher education, and found- approaches, I believe the veterans who and my admiration and interest in ers of artistic associations. participated in these daring missions what they had done, their courage and If we did not know this story before, are certainly worthy and deserving of their contribution to the world’s cul- most of us now know the outlines the recognition of Congress’ highest ex- ture was deepened. I went back and I thanks to a pair of books by Robert pression of appreciation. looked at my book, and I saw Mr. Edsel detailing the Monuments Men’s Mr. Speaker, the medal authorized in Edsel’s card and a letter he had sent work and, of course, the George this bill will be given to the Smithso- me after we had spoken, and I called Clooney film of the same name re- nian for safekeeping and available for him and said I wanted to help. Then I leased earlier this year. Some of us display, as well as available for loan as contacted Ms. GRANGER and went to may have seen a documentary on their appropriate. In my view and that of work to help line up sponsors for this work produced about a decade ago, many other Members, one very appro- particular bill. called, ‘‘The Rape of Europa.’’ I do priate place would be the National The mass genocide carried out by want to thank the gentlewoman from World War II Museum in New Orleans, Hitler and the Nazis is incomparable Texas for hosting a screening of that which is building a permanent exhibit and their crimes unimaginable. We movie that I think sort of brought that on the Monuments Men and expected think of concentration camps and mass to the attention of many here in Wash- to open in 2016. killings, but their efforts to destroy ington a few months ago. Before I close, there are several peo- cultural artifacts was an extension of Mr. Speaker, of the 350 Monuments ple I want to thank who helped make that tragedy and that horror. Men, two of whom died in actual com- this possible: of course, Robert Edsel It is important to remember that bat, only a few of the men and women for uncovering this story and sharing it Hitler didn’t want to just annihilate we know today as the Monuments Men with the world; Congressman MICHAEL the Jews and other disfavored popu- are still alive. We and the world owe CAPUANO for sponsoring this legislation lations; he wanted to erase all traces of them an incalculable debt. One way we with me; Congressman STEVE COHEN these people from the planet. That in- can acknowledge their contributions is for his tireless efforts to help build the cluded their so-called ‘‘degenerate’’ to award them the Congressional Gold support needed to bring this bill to the art. Art which I saw in the book in- Medal in recognition of their work. The floor for a vote. I also want to thank cluded some of the great artists of all bill has 297 cosponsors in the House, Senators ROY BLUNT and ROBERT time. I think it was Toulouse-Lautrec and a companion bill introduced by MENENDEZ for taking the lead on this maybe had a coloring of how he did his Senator BLUNT has 77 cosponsors. I ask bill in the Senate. colors. Hitler thought that it was de- for immediate passage of this impor- While we can never say thank you generate because the grass was blue tant legislation. enough, I believe the Congressional and the sky was green, and he thought I reserve the balance of my time. Gold Medal is a worthy token of appre- for some reason that was degenerate. Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, though ciation from a grateful nation to these Well, it was art. Fortunately, the I intend to speak, I want to reserve the members of the Greatest Generation. Monuments Men had the foresight and balance of my time and allow the gen- I urge my colleagues to support this heroism to prevent them from being tlewoman from Texas, who was the legislation. successful. lead sponsor on this bill, to speak be- Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield As we recognize the Monuments Men, fore I do. as much time as he may consume to it is a good time to reflect on what art With that, I reserve the balance of the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. means to us in our lives. Art shines a my time. COHEN). spotlight on who we are and who we Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to wish to be and how we want to be re- Speaker, at this time I yield such time thank the gentleman from Massachu- membered. When we destroy it, we de- as she may consume to the gentlelady setts for the time. stroy an essential part of ourselves, from Texas (Ms. GRANGER). I rise in strong support of the Monu- our culture, and our society, and we de- Ms. GRANGER. Mr. Speaker, I have ments Men Recognition Act. I want to stroy that for future generations to been looking forward to this day ever thank the gentlewoman from Texas for learn of us. since I first learned about the greatest her work on this bill, Ms. GRANGER, The Monuments Men did more than untold story of World War II, and that and for her kind thoughts and expres- just preserve these paintings that was 8 years ago. sions of appreciation. It was a great could hang in a museum; they pre- For me, my journey with the Monu- honor to work with her and the gen- served our heritage, and for that we are ments Men began at the Kimbell Art tleman from Massachusetts on this forever grateful. With only five mem- Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2006 particular bill. bers of the Monuments Men alive when I met Robert Edsel, who had just I also had the opportunity to have today, we should act quickly to give published his first book, ‘‘Rescuing Da some interchange with Robert Edsel, them the honor and recognition they Vinci,’’ and who later wrote ‘‘The and not a finer gentleman and Amer- richly deserve. Monuments Men: Allied Heros, Nazi ican is there. He wrote the original I urge my colleagues to support this Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure book that kind of talked about the legislation. Again, I thank Ms.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 05:00 May 20, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K19MY7.023 H19MYPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE May 19, 2014 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4451 GRANGER and Mr. CAPUANO for their my own district, from 1935 to 1939. known as the ‘‘Doolittle Tokyo Raiders’’ for leadership. Then he went to the faculty at the Uni- outstanding heroism, valor, skill, and service Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. versity of Minnesota until he enlisted to the United States in conducting the Speaker, I am prepared to close and re- in 1942—not got drafted, enlisted—yes, bombings of Tokyo; (2) 80 brave American aircraft crewmen, led serve the balance of my time. to protect America, but also to take by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, vol- Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield his special expertise, to do something unteered for an ‘‘extremely hazardous mis- myself such time as I may consume. special in a difficult situation. He was sion’’, without knowing the target, location, I would like to thank Ms. GRANGER in killed in action when he was caught in or assignment, and willingly put their lives particular for bringing this bill for- a firefight. As usual, in many military in harm’s way, risking death, capture, and ward. I was proud to be a small part in actions, it wasn’t supposed to happen torture; supporting this and trying to help push then and there. (3) the conduct of medium bomber oper- it forward. I am glad we are here today. I think that tells you something ations from a Navy aircraft carrier under combat conditions had never before been at- I want to be real clear. A lot of peo- about who these people were. They ple think of war as nothing more than tempted; were there trying to help the next gen- (4) after the discovery of the USS Hornet destruction, which that is the main eration and generations to come main- by Japanese picket ships 170 miles further function is to destroy your enemy. tain that line of connection, and they away from the prearranged launch point, the They don’t think sometimes what it is did it. For that, they deserve this Doolittle Tokyo Raiders proceeded to take all about, particularly in the case of honor; they deserve our undying grati- off 670 miles from the coast of Japan; World War II. In the case of World War tude. (5) by launching more than 100 miles be- II, it was about a way of life. It was With that, I want to add my thanks yond the distance considered to be mini- mally safe for the mission, the Doolittle about a whole set of societal values. for their actions, my thanks to Rep- One set valued art and culture, even Tokyo Raiders deliberately accepted the risk resentative GRANGER for allowing us do that the B–25s might not have enough fuel to the art and culture we may not under- this, and I yield back the balance of my reach the designated air-fields in China on stand. I am not understanding of many time. return; of the fine works of art, but I appre- (6) the additional launch distance greatly ciate how difficult they are, and I ap- b 1715 increased the risk of crash landing in Japa- preciate others appreciating. Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. nese occupied China, exposing the crews to In a war, it would be the easiest Speaker, I appreciate my friend shar- higher probability of death, injury, or cap- thing in the world to simply destroy ing that story and personalizing it. I ture; everything, steal everything, and just had a chance to tour much of Europe (7) because of that deliberate choice, after bombing their targets in Japan, low on fuel move forward. In this particular case, and Eastern Europe back when I was in and in setting night and deteriorating the United States of America took the school, and seeing the devastation that weather, none of the 16 airplanes reached the lead, but we weren’t alone. The Monu- hit cities like St. Petersburg and Len- prearranged Chinese airfields; ments Men was made up of people from ingrad; Warsaw, which was completely (8) of the 80 Doolittle Tokyo Raiders who 13 different countries simply trying to leveled; Prague; Budapest; Berlin, it is launched on the raid, 8 were captured, 2 died preserve a piece of our culture, our amazing that there was really almost in the crash, and 70 returned to the United shared culture. anything that was preserved. I think States; The Monuments Men was not made we are better for it as a world and as a (9) of the 8 captured Doolittle Tokyo Raid- up of warriors, yet they became war- ers, 3 were executed and 1 died of disease; culture to have that. and riors. They were made up of artists; With that, I urge passage of the bill, (10) there were only 5 surviving members of they were made up of museum direc- and I yield back the balance of my the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders as of February tors; they were made up of curators— time. 2013. people who had been taught the value The SPEAKER pro tempore. The SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. and understood the value of fine art. question is on the motion offered by (a) AWARD.— They went to war to protect and pre- the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. (1) AUTHORIZED.—The President pro tem- serve it, because without that con- HUIZENGA) that the House suspend the pore of the Senate and the Speaker of the tinuing link of culture, you would have rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3658. House of Representatives shall make appro- to ask: Wouldn’t we be a little less The question was taken; and (two- priate arrangements for the award, on behalf than who we are today? of Congress, of a single gold medal of appro- thirds being in the affirmative) the priate design in honor of the World War II Their memory today is very impor- rules were suspended and the bill was members of the 17th Bombardment Group tant, particularly those who still sur- passed. (Medium) who became known as the ‘‘Doo- vive. The mention has already been A motion to reconsider was laid on little Tokyo Raiders’’, in recognition of their made about how many pieces of art—5 the table. military service during World War II. million pieces of art. They weren’t just (2) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the purposes f pictures on a wall. They were also figu- of the award referred to in paragraph (1), the rines. There were religious artifacts, AWARDING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD Secretary of the Treasury shall strike the across the board. Five million pieces MEDAL TO WORLD WAR II MEM- gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions, to be determined by the protected, kept for future generations, BERS OF THE DOOLITTLE TOKYO RAIDERS Secretary. recovered from people who would oth- (3) NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE UNITED STATES erwise steal them for their own per- Mr. HUIZENGA of Michigan. Mr. AIR FORCE.— sonal use, probably would have de- Speaker, I move to suspend the rules (A) IN GENERAL.—Following the award of stroyed them when they saw the end of and pass the bill (H.R. 1209) to award a the gold medal referred to in paragraph (1) in their own culture. Congressional Gold Medal to the World honor of the World War II members of the I want to speak today of the one War II members of the ‘‘Doolittle 17th Bombardment Group (Medium), who be- came known as the ‘‘Doolittle Tokyo Raid- American who served in what I think is Tokyo Raiders’’, for outstanding her- a pretty typical story of who these peo- ers’’, the gold medal shall be given to the Na- oism, valor, skill, and service to the tional Museum of the United States Air ple were. The one American who was United States in conducting the bomb- Force, where it shall be available for display killed in action in this particular unit, ings of Tokyo. with the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Goblets, as his name was Walter Huchthausen. He The Clerk read the title of the bill. appropriate, and made available for research. was born in Perry, Oklahoma, educated The text of the bill is as follows: (B) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that the National Museum of the at the University of Minnesota and H.R. 1209 Harvard University, where he earned a United States Air Force should make the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- gold medal received under this Act available master’s degree in architecture in 1930. resentatives of the United States of America in He wasn’t ROTC. He wasn’t militarily for display elsewhere, particularly at other Congress assembled, locations and events associated with the trained. He was an instructor at RPI in SECTION 1. FINDINGS. Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. Troy, New York, and then director of Congress finds that— (b) DUPLICATE MEDALS.—Under such regu- the department of design at the School (1) on April 18, 1942, the brave men of the lations as the Secretary may prescribe, the of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) became Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in

VerDate Mar 15 2010 03:06 May 20, 2014 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K19MY7.024 H19MYPT1 jbell on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with HOUSE