H8674 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 6, 2005 those present have voted in the affirm- benefits to former Nazis, and the Office of casionally brought him in conflict with ative. Special Investigations of the Department of others, but that was his way. Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, on that I Justice has since conducted more than 1,500 The killers who managed Hitler’s fac- demand the yeas and nays. investigations, won 101 cases, and blocked tories of death could never rest. Simon the immigration of 170 individuals, and the Wiesenthal was tireless in his pursuit The yeas and nays were ordered. work of the Office continues; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Whereas, in keeping with the efforts of of them. His dedication and dogged de- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the , many governments have termination was instrumental in the Chair’s prior announcement, further responded to the growing tide of anti-Semi- capture and conviction of Adolf Eich- proceedings on this motion will be tism worldwide, elected leaders have spoken mann, the architect of the Nazi plan to postponed. out against anti-Semitism, and law enforce- annihilate European Jewry, as well as ment officials and prosecutors have aggres- Karl Silberbauer, the officer f sively pursed the perpetrators of anti-Se- who committed many heinous crimes GENERAL LEAVE mitic acts; and including the arrest of Frank. Whereas Simon Wiesenthal’s legacy teach- Mr. BAKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask While many Nazis eluded immediate es that the perpetrators of genocide cannot justice at the end of World War II, unanimous consent that all Members and will not be allowed to hide from their may have 5 legislative days within crimes: Now, therefore, be it many did not escape it forever, thanks which to revise and extend their re- Resolved by the House of Representatives (the to Simon Wiesenthal. Today, as we marks and include extraneous material Senate concurring), That the Congress— fight anti-Semitism across the OSCE on the bill just considered. (1) honors the life and work of Simon region, Europe and the Middle East and Wiesenthal to memorialize the victims of the in Asia, we remember his legacy and The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there Holocaust and to bring the perpetrators of objection to the request of the gen- act on the lessons of . His crimes against humanity to justice; noble work was fueled by a passion for tleman from Louisiana? (2) reaffirms its commitment to the fight There was no objection. justice that has and will inspire others. against anti-Semitism and intolerance in all In the , his example and f forms, in all forums, and in all nations; and (3) urges all members of the international inspiration led to the establishment of HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK community to facilitate the investigation the Office of Special Investigations OF SIMON WIESENTHAL and prosecution of surviving Nazi war crimi- which allowed war criminals who found nals and to continue documenting and col- their way to our shores to be brought Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. lecting information on Nazi war crimes for to justice. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules archival and historical purposes. As noted in the resolution, Mr. and agree to the concurrent resolution The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Speaker, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, (H. Con. Res. 248) honoring the life and ant to the rule, the gentleman from which has offices in L.A., Paris, New work of Simon Wiesenthal and re- New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) and the gen- York, , Miami, Jerusalem and affirming the commitment of Congress tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS) Buenos Aires, which has become a lead- to the fight against anti-Semitism and each will control 20 minutes. ing institution in advocating both re- intolerance in all forms, in all forums, The Chair recognizes the gentleman membrance and tolerance so as to help and in all nations, as amended. from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH). prevent future genocides, was named in The Clerk read as follows: Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. his honor. The Simon Wiesenthal Cen- H. CON. RES. 248 Speaker, I yield myself such time as I ter in Paris, I would point out to my Whereas Simon Wiesenthal, who was may consume. colleagues, testified at two Helsinki known as the ‘‘conscience of the Holocaust’’, Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of H. hearings that I chaired, and we in- was born on December 31, 1908, in Buczacz, Con. Res. 248, I am very pleased to ducted Shimon Samuels, who provided -Hungary, and died in , Aus- expert testimony on the deterioration tria, on September 20, 2005, and he dedicated bring this timely resolution before the House today. I thank the sponsor of the of respect for Jews in Europe, the the last 60 years of his life to the pursuit of United States and Canada. Also, I justice for the victims of the Holocaust; resolution, the gentleman from Cali- Whereas, during World War II, Simon fornia (Mr. WAXMAN) and the leader- would point out to my colleagues that Wiesenthal worked with the Polish under- ship of the gentleman from Illinois the dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Cen- ter participated this past June in the ground and was interned in 12 different con- (Chairman HYDE) of the Committee on centration camps until his liberation by the International Relations, as well as the U.S. delegation to the Cordoba OSCE United States Army in 1945 from the Conference on Anti-Semitism and gentleman from California (Mr. LAN- Mauthausen camp; Other Forms of Intolerance. TOS), a Holocaust survivor himself, for Whereas, after the war, Simon Wiesenthal Mr. Speaker, Congress honored crafting this measure in honor of an worked for the War Crimes Section of the Simon Wiesenthal with a Gold Medal, extraordinary man who has passed United States Army gathering documenta- and he won countless other forms of tion to be used in prosecuting the Nuremberg from our midst, Simon Wiesenthal. recognition from grateful individuals trials; Known as the ‘‘Conscience of the Hol- in governments from around the world. Whereas Simon Wiesenthal’s investigative ocaust,’’ Mr. Wiesenthal deserves rec- work and expansive research was instru- Simon Wiesenthal confronted human- ognition and the deepest respect by the ity with the truth about those who mental in the capture and conviction of Congress of the United States. more than 1,000 Nazi war criminals, includ- masterminded and carried out the Hol- ing , the architect of the Simon Wiesenthal died at the age of ocaust. As a testament to the memory Nazi plan to annihilate European Jewry, and 97 in Vienna, Austria on September 20, of the millions of victims, he gave Karl Silberbauer, the Gestapo officer respon- 2005. A Ukrainian architect and civil meaning to the words ‘‘never again’’ by sible for the arrest and deportation of Anne engineer by training, he survived five helping us to learn from the lessons of Frank; Nazi death camps during World War II. the past. Now that he has passed away, Whereas numerous honors and awards were Yet, he lost a staggering 89 relatives in bestowed upon Simon Wiesenthal, including we must resolve to continue his work, the Holocaust. as is urged upon us in this resolution, the Congressional Gold Medal, honorary Mr. Wiesenthal lived by his own British Knighthood, the Dutch Freedom and I urge all of my colleagues to sup- Medal, the French Legion of Honor, the words. ‘‘There is no freedom without port this very important resolution. World Tolerance Award, and the Jerusalem justice,’’ he would say. Living in Eu- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of Medal; rope, almost literally among the ashes my time. Whereas the Simon Wiesenthal Center was of the 6 million victims of the Holo- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in founded in 1977 in Los Angeles and named in caust, he began the tedious work of strong support of H. Con. Res. 248, a honor of Simon Wiesenthal to promote tracing and tracking war criminals resolution honoring the life and coura- awareness of anti-Semitism, monitor neo- who had been overlooked by the first geous work of my friend, Simon Nazi and other extremist groups, and help waves of prosecutions by the allies and bring surviving Nazi war criminals to jus- Wiesenthal, and I yield myself such tice; the new European governments. He time as I may consume. Whereas, in 1978, inspired in part by the worked meticulously and judiciously, Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my work of Simon Wiesenthal, the Congress en- sticking to the evidence at hand and colleague from California (Mr. WAX- acted a law to deny citizenship and Federal avoiding any sensationalism. This oc- MAN) for introducing this resolution,

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:33 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K06OC7.055 H06OCPT1 October 6, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8675 the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. HYDE) Wiesenthal’s tireless work as a Nazi United States. His success inspired the for his support in bringing it to the hunter was undertaken to demonstrate creation of the Office of Special Inves- floor so quickly, and I want to express that those who commit crimes against tigations at the Justice Department to a special thanks to my good friend humanity will face justice. He seek their denaturalization and depor- from New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) who has preached vigilance so that never again tation. been an indefatigable fighter for all the would the world witness the tragedy of For Mr. Wiesenthal, the pursuit of causes that Simon Wiesenthal fought the Holocaust and be complicit war criminals and hate groups was an for and fighting against the monstrous through inaction. integral part of Holocaust remem- hatred to which Simon Wiesenthal Wiesenthal helped in the establish- brance. The genocide of millions could dedicated his life against. ment of two important institutions. not be mourned properly while the Mr. Speaker, when Simon Wiesenthal First, in 1947, he founded the Jewish murderers walked free. The cry of died on September 20, the world lost Documentation Center in Linz, Aus- ‘‘never again’’ could not be fulfilled if one of its great heroes of the last cen- tria, from which he conducted his own the world did not act against neo-Nazis tury. He was the conscience of the Hol- relentless search for perpetrators of and other extremists who continue to ocaust who labored heroically for dec- Nazi crimes against humanity; and foment hatred and violence. ades to make certain that history will then in 1977, he gave inspiration to the I am especially proud that my dis- not forget that nightmare, nor let its Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Holocaust trict in Los Angeles is home to the perpetrators escape justice. He did this, memorial foundation that established Simon Wiesenthal Center, a leading as he said, not just for the Holocaust the in Los Ange- voice in Holocaust education and the victims like himself, but for his grand- les. That museum focuses its work on fight against anti-Semitism, racism, children, because if one generation’s the prosecution of Nazi war criminals, and extremism. criminals go unpunished, their de- the commemoration of the events of With offices around the world, the scendents will conclude that they too the Holocaust, teaching tolerance of all Wiesenthal Center has actively worked can literally get away with murder. mankind and fighting against bigotry with UNESCO and the OSCE individual Simon was a personal friend of mine and anti-Semitism. nations and regional institutions to who inspired my wife Annette who, Mr. Speaker, my wife Annette and I fight increasing anti-Semitism in Eu- like me, is also a Holocaust survivor, will miss our visits with Simon rope and expose hate groups on the in her efforts on behalf of another Wiesenthal, but he has left us with a Internet. giant of righteousness and decency, proud legacy through his vigilance, The center’s Museum of Tolerance Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish dip- through his bravery, through his deter- opened in 1993 and has welcomed over 4 lomat who saved the lives of tens of mination and through his passionate million visitors to its permanent col- thousands of Hungarian Jews during commitment to justice. lection on the Holocaust and contem- the Nazi era. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my col- porary exhibits on Rwanda, Sudan, and Wallenberg disappeared after the So- leagues to join me in supporting this the former Yugoslavia. viet Army seized Hungary in 1945. Over legislation today and in honoring this These programs are all part of Simon 30 years later, it was Simon Wiesenthal titan of justice who reminded us that Wiesenthal’s legacy as a hero to the who announced at a press conference in mass murder must never go victims of the Holocaust, the survivors, 1977 that Wallenberg was alive and im- unpunished. We remember a great man prisoned in Siberia. That announce- and future generations. who taught us that solemn commemo- As we mourn his passing, let us reaf- ment reenergized my wife Annette to ration is what true remembrance firm our commitment to honor his intensify her search for Wallenberg and means. courage and conviction and continue to obtain his release. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield his life’s work. Mr. Speaker, Simon Wiesenthal was a 3 minutes to the gentleman from Cali- Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Simon survivor who lived through numerous fornia (Mr. WAXMAN), the author of this Wiesenthal, a tireless champion of justice for cruel, forced marches and imprison- resolution. ment in many concentration camps. As Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to the victims of the Holocaust and for all human- all who experienced that unimaginable pay tribute to Simon Wiesenthal, a ity. As a survivor of the Holocaust, Simon nightmare, he was deeply changed by tireless champion of justice for the vic- Wiesenthal called his life a miracle. He often the experience of the Holocaust. tims of the Holocaust and for all hu- wondered whether it was by strength, Provi- When American forces liberated this manity. emaciated young man from the As a survivor of the Holocaust, dence, or simple luck that he survived 12 Mauthausen concentration camp in Simon Wiesenthal called his life a mir- gruesome concentration camps. But when he Austria, he weighed a little over 90 acle. One often wondered whether it emerged from Mauthausen, liberated by Amer- pounds. was by strength, providence or simple ican troops, he pledged to dedicate his sur- Rather than continue with his pre- luck that he survived 12 gruesome con- vival to the fight for justice for Nazi victims. war profession of architecture, centration camps, but when he He began with painstaking detective work in Wiesenthal made it his life’s work to emerged from Mauthausen, liberated the War Crimes Section of the United States pursue justice for victims who could by American troops, he pledged to dedi- Army, gathering documentation to be used in not do this for themselves. Through his cate his survival to the fight for justice the prosecution of the Nuremberg trials. His untiring efforts, some 1,100 Nazi war for Nazi victims. meticulous archival research became a key criminals were tracked down and building block for the Yad Vashem archive in brought to justice. Some of these rep- b 1645 Jerusalem. resented the holocaust’s most egre- He began with painstaking detective And when the Iron Curtain fell and the allied gious and monstrous perpetrators. work in the War Crimes Section of the powers tired of tracking Nazi war criminals, They include Karl Silberbauer, the Ge- U.S. Army, gathering documentation Simon Wiesenthal pressed on. He helped lo- stapo officer who arrested and sent to to be used in the prosecution of the cate Adolf Eichman, the architect of the ‘‘Final her death young of Am- Nuremberg trials. His meticulous ar- Solution,’’ who was put on trial and hanged in sterdam; , the vicious and chival research became a key building Israel. He tracked down the Gestapo officer brutal commandant of the Sobibor and block for the Yad Vashem archive in who arrested and deported Anne Frank to Treblinka death camps; and perhaps Jerusalem. prove wrong the early Holocaust deniers who the most notorious of all, Adolf Eich- And when the Iron Curtain fell and claimed her story was untrue. mann, the Nazi SS commander who the allied powers tired of tracking Nazi His efforts also led to the capture of Nazi was the person primarily responsible war criminals, Simon Wiesenthal war criminals living here in the United States. for formulating and carrying out Hit- pressed on. He helped locate Adolf His success inspired the creation of the Office ler’s ‘‘final solution’’ for the Jewish Eichmann, the architect of the Final of Special Investigations at the Justice Depart- people. It was Eichmann who arrived in Solution, who was put on trial and ment to seek their denaturalization and depor- Budapest in July of 1944 to eliminate hanged in Israel. tation. the Jewish population of Hungary, and His efforts also led to the capture of To date, OSI has won 101 cases. Its most he succeeded in large measure. Nazi war criminals living here in the recent victory came in August when a U.S.

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:58 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K06OC7.057 H06OCPT1 H8676 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 6, 2005 District Court in Chicago revoked the citizen- legacy that we will never allow people when we come to the other world and ship of a member of a Nazi-sponsored Ukrain- who are responsible for crimes against meet the millions of Jews who died in ian unit that decimated the Jewish community humanity to go unpunished. the camps and they ask us what have of Lvov. Today, we have permanent centers you done, there will be many answers For Mr. Wiesenthal, the pursuit of war crimi- for tolerance that Simon Wiesenthal but I will be able to say ‘I did not for- nals and hate groups was an integral part of was responsible for establishing. I have get you.’’’ Holocaust remembrance. The genocide of mil- the honor of being the ranking Demo- And just one last thing. On the Aus- lions could not be mourned properly while the crat on the Helsinki Commission. The trian policeman who was arrested for murderers walked free. The cry of ‘Never gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. the murder of Anne Frank because of Again’ could not be fulfilled if the world did not SMITH) is our chairman. We are in- Mr. Wiesenthal’s dogged determina- act against neo-Nazis and other extremists spired by Mr. Wiesenthal’s work in our tion, he said: ‘‘My most hard work, and continuing to foment hatred and violence. fight to end all forms of intolerance I am very proud of this case, was to I am especially proud that my district in Los and discrimination, including anti- find the man who arrested Anne Frank. Angeles is home to the Simon Wiesenthal Semitism; and we worked with Simon The Family Frank was like 10,000 other Center—a leading voice in Holocaust edu- Wiesenthal in mind to establish inter- families, but Anne Frank became a cation and the fight against anti-Semitism, rac- national priorities to fight anti-Semi- symbol of the million murdered chil- ism and extremism. tism. Our conference in in 2004 dren. And I tell it to the father of Anne With offices around the world, the and the OSCE’s 2005 conference in Cor- Frank, the diary of his daughter had a Wiesenthal Center has actively worked with doba, Spain in which the Simon bigger impact than the entire Nurem- UNESCO, the OSCE, individual nations and Wiesenthal Center was a leading par- berg trial. Why? Because people identi- regional institutions to fight increasing anti- ticipant, all this helps develop the leg- fied with the child. This was the im- Semitism in Europe and expose hate groups acy of Simon Wiesenthal. pact of the Holocaust. This was a fam- on the Internet. Civilized nations must pursue all ily like my family, like your family The Center’s Museum of Tolerance, opened those who promote or carry out acts of and so you could understand this.’’ in 1993, has welcomed over 4 million visitors anti-Semitism, intolerance, or crimes Simon Wiesenthal was a mere mortal to its permanent collection on the Holocaust against humanity. Politicians, teach- human being. But his legacy and his and contemporary exhibits on Rwanda, ers, and community leaders have an ob- lessons should be immortal for all our Sudan, and the former Yugoslavia. ligation to speak out against pro- sakes. Thousands of students, teachers, and law moters of hate. Only through our con- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I have no enforcement officers have participated in the tinued vigilance can we ensure justice, further requests for time, and I yield Museum’s ‘‘Tools for Tolerance’’ program to deter future war crimes, and send the back the balance of my time. combat hate crimes, prejudice, and bias in our message that political and military Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. own communities. leaders that promote or condone acts Speaker, I yield myself such time as I These programs are all part of Simon of genocide will face prosecution to the may consume. Wiesenthal’s legacy as a hero to the victims of fullest extent of the law. This is how Mr. Speaker, just to conclude, I the Holocaust, the survivors, and future gen- we should remember and honor Simon would especially like to thank the gen- erations. Wiesenthal’s legacy. tleman from California (Mr. LANTOS), As we mourn his passing, let us reaffirm our Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am as I said earlier, a Holocaust survivor commitment to honor his courage and convic- pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gen- himself, for his very clear and unam- tion and continue his life’s work. tleman from Virginia (Mr. MORAN). Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I am de- Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speak- biguous statement in support of human lighted to yield 3 minutes to the distin- er, I want to thank the gentleman from rights globally, but especially as it re- lates to a very disturbing trend with guished gentleman from Maryland (Mr. New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) and the gen- regards to anti-Semitism, and for his CARDIN) who has been an indefatigable tleman from California (Mr. WAXMAN) fighter against discrimination of all and particularly the gentleman from eulogy today, on the floor, to his dear friend, Simon Wiesenthal. types during his entire congressional California (Mr. LANTOS). career. Mr. Wiesenthal’s living spirit must Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given have soared to hear the gentleman today in support of House Concurrent Resolu- permission to revise and extend his re- from California (Mr. LANTOS) speak on tion 248, honoring the life and achievements marks.) this resolution. of Mr. Simon Wiesenthal, the world’s most Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, let me Simon Wiesenthal spent most of his successful Nazi-hunter and advocate for reli- thank the gentleman from California adult life in pursuit of justice, the jus- gious tolerance. (Mr. LANTOS) for being the leader in tice that is achieved through account- In the history of mankind, few events are as this body for us never to forget the ability. And while many of us would deplorable, unconscionable, and unrepeatable Holocaust and the lessons of the Holo- like to believe that all people are at as the Holocaust. During this period, Nazi caust. heart decent and God-fearing, the re- imprisoned, enslaved, tortured, and Let me thank the gentleman from ality is that evil does exist among us. eventually murdered 11 million Jews, Gypsies, New Jersey (Mr. SMITH) for his leader- And it is that threat of justice being homosexuals, political dissidents, and others. ship on the Helsinki Commission and served, of people’s deeds and people Mr. Simon Wiesenthal, a Polish Jew, was one on the International Relations Com- themselves being held accountable that of those individuals imprisoned by the Nazis. mittee and speaking up about intoler- in fact does deter evil, and thus is an After being taken from his home and his wife ance and fighting all forms of discrimi- instrument that we can use to reduce Cyla, Wiesenthal successfully escaped one nation. suffering and to save lives. And that is concentration camp, only to be recaptured. I thank the gentleman from Cali- what Simon Wiesenthal’s life’s work Suspecting his wife was dead, and thousands fornia (Mr. WAXMAN) for his leadership was designed to do. of people dying beside him, Wiesenthal coura- in bringing forward this resolution so I would like to just use some of his geously survived. that we can spend a few moments to own words because I think they are fit- After the United States and our allies de- commemorate the life of Simon ting in the context of this resolution. feated the Axis Powers in World War II, many Wiesenthal. He said: ‘‘I am someone who seeks jus- thousands of Nazis fled Germany, knowing full As has been pointed out, Simon tice, not revenge.’’ He said: ‘‘When his- well that they would face justice for their un- Wiesenthal was a survivor from the tory looks back, I want people to know thinkable crimes if they remained. Many Nazis Holocaust. He lost 89 relatives to the the Nazis were not able to kill millions established new identities and lived their lives Holocaust and then decided to devote of people and get away with it. This is with a secret so hideous they told no one. his life to bringing those responsible a warning for the murderers of tomor- Upon liberation by the Allies, Wiesenthal re- for the Holocaust to justice. As a result row that they will never rest. When we united with Cyla and regained his health, and of his work, many people were brought cannot through some action warn the immediately dedicated his efforts to bringing to trial and held accountable for their murderers of tomorrow, then millions Nazi war-criminals to justice. He was instru- roles in the Holocaust. It established a of people will die for nothing. And mental in aiding the U.S. Army’s prosecution

VerDate Aug 31 2005 02:33 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06OC7.026 H06OCPT1 October 6, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8677 of many prominent Nazi criminals at the Inter- and bringing to justice Nazi war criminals. Ini- He was a man of indomitable spirit and national Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Ger- tially working for the Army’s Office of Strategic courage, and even greater was his resolve many. To prosecute the countless Nazis who Services and Counter-Intelligence Corps, and after the war. Almost immediately after leaving had evaded the law, Wiesenthal, along with later operating the Jewish Historical Docu- Mauthausen, Simon Wiesenthal set out to col- several other Holocaust survivors, founded the mentation Center in Vienna, Mr. Wiesenthal is lect and prepare evidence for the War Crimes Jewish Documentation Center in Austria to credited with obtaining the information nec- Section of the United States Army for use in collect and prepare evidence for future trials. essary to apprehend more than 1,100 war the Nuremberg trials, thus beginning his life- Over the years, Wiesenthal honed his exper- criminals. As Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean of the long work as a . tise in researching, tracking, and ultimately Simon Wiesenthal Center, described him, Over the past 60 years, Wiesenthal’s re- capturing Nazi criminals scattered throughout ‘‘Simon Wiesenthal was the conscience of the search and investigative work led to the cap- the world so they could face trial. Holocaust.’’ ture and conviction of more than 1,000 Nazi Though the world community had collabo- Among the most egregious mass murderers war criminals, including the infamous Adolf rated to protect against future genocides, that he helped apprehend was Adolf Eichman, Eichmann. Simon Wiesenthal was the recipi- Wiesenthal personally strived to meet this who, as a member of the Gestapo, supervised ent of countless awards, including honorary goal. As one of the foremost speakers on the the execution of the Jewish ‘‘Final Solution.’’ British Knighthood, the Dutch Freedom Medal, subject, he educated people around the world Mr. Wiesenthal also was responsible for aiding the French Legion of Honor, the World Toler- about the Holocaust and the prevention of in the captures of Karl Silberbauer, the Ge- ance Award, and the Congressional Gold genocide and intolerance. In 1977, the Simon stapo officer who arrested Anne Frank; Franz Medal. Wiesenthal Center was established to further Stangl, the commandant of the Treblinka and When some of Wiesenthal’s fellow survivors pursue the prosecution of hiding Nazi crimi- Sobibor concentration camps in Poland; and asked him why he decided to become a Nazi nals, monitor anti-Semitism, and promote reli- Hermine Braunsteiner, who supervised the hunter, he looked down at the flames of the gious and racial tolerance. killings of hundreds of children and who had Sabbath candles from that particular Friday On September 20, 2005, Simon Wiesenthal found refuge in the United States. evening and said, ‘‘My dear friends, do you passed away of natural causes. He had led an Mr. Speaker, while Mr. Wiesenthal devoted know what I see in the glow of the candles? extraordinary life as a Holocaust survivor, edu- the majority of his life to bringing Nazi crimi- I see the souls of our six million brothers and cator, political activist, and humanitarian. By nals to justice, he did so not out of the need sisters. And one day when our lives are over, the time he retired in 2003, he and his col- for revenge, but the need for atonement. Mr. they will come to all of us and they will ask us, leagues had brought over one thousand hiding Wiesenthal’s goal was to bring these geno- what have you done? You, my dear friend, will Nazi war criminals to justice. For decades, cidal crimes out of the shadows. He felt a duty tell them that you went into construction to these Nazis thought they were above the law to those who had died to ensure that the build homes. And you will say you went into and would avoid trial. Wiesenthal and others memory of what had transpired would not be the jewelry business. And you became a man- proved that no crime so horrific goes forgotten. He also felt a duty to teach future ufacturer of clothes. But I will have the privi- unpunished, and there is no escaping their re- generations the lessons of the past so that lege of saying to them, ‘I have never forgotten sponsibility. Wiesenthal also succeeded in they would not be repeated. Simon Wiesenthal you.’’’ Mr. Speaker, we will never forget Simon keeping the memories of the Holocaust alive Centers span the globe, and are valuable venues to teach America’s youth about toler- Wiesenthal and his many years in pursuit of and teaching others to embrace diversity, so ance and understanding, as well as this impor- justice for victims of the Holocaust. I thank the future genocides may be prevented. gentleman from California for introducing this Mr. Speaker, I believe that Simon tant lesson: evil men can perpetuate ghastly resolution, and I urge my colleagues to sup- Wiesenthal embodies the ideals that are so crimes when the world chooses to permit it. Mr. Speaker, only one who had witnessed port it. important to the United States: a commitment such atrocities could shoulder the burden and Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, today we honor the to justice, a common good based on toler- carry the respect necessary to continue this life of Simon Wiesenthal, a man who dedi- ance, and ensuring a secure future by edu- quest for justice over so many decades. While cated his life to the search of fugitive Nazi war cating our youth. For his achievements, the Mr. Wiesenthal’s friends and family sacrificed criminals. The ideals of truth and justice guid- United States has already awarded their lives in the death camps of the Nazis, Mr. ed his effort to fight anti-Semitism and as we Wiesenthal the Presidential Medal of Free- Wiesenthal sacrificed his life to ensuring their mourn, we are reminded of our commitment to dom, the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, memories would live forever. these ideals as part of our duty to humanity. and many other honors. This resolution rein- In his memoirs, Mr. Wiesenthal quotes what I am proud to be a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. forces the United States’ utmost respect and one Nazi officer told him late in World War II, 248, which we are considering on the floor admiration for Simon Wiesenthal, who bravely ‘‘You would tell the truth [about the concentra- today. endured through history’s darkest hour to give tion camps] to the people in America. And you Simon Wiesenthal was born on December justice to those who perished in the Holocaust. know what would happen, Wiesenthal? They 31, 1908 in Buczacz, Galicia, then part of the Though Simon Wiesenthal has passed on, the wouldn’t believe you. They’d say you were Austro-Hungarian Empire and now part of United States must continue to pursue the mad. Might even put you into an asylum. How Ukraine. He received a degree in architectural noble endeavors he championed, and give can anyone believe this terrible business—un- engineering in 1932 from the Technical Uni- hope to victims of injustice of the past, less he has lived through it?’’ versity of Prague, and in 1936 he began work- present, and future. Mr. Speaker, Simon Wiesenthal lived ing at an architectural office in Lvov; he did I would like to thank Representative HENRY through it. He made us believe it. And we will not, however, continue his career in architec- WAXMAN for introducing this resolution. I urge never forget it. That will be his eternal legacy. ture. Three years later, with the partition of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 248 Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Poland and the flood of the Red Army in Lvov, and always remember and honor Simon strong support of H. Con. Res. 248, a resolu- Simon Wiesenthal began losing family mem- Wiesenthal. tion honoring the memory and legacy of bers to German brutality. After escaping sev- Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in Simon Wiesenthal, a man known as the ‘‘con- eral near-death situations himself, in 1945 strong support of H. Con. Res. 248, honoring science of the Holocaust.’’ Wiesenthal was re- Simon Wiesenthal was liberated by American the life of Simon Wiesenthal, and thank my lentless in the pursuit of justice for victims of forces from the concentration camp of good friend, the gentleman from California, Mr. the Holocaust and the eradication of anti-Sem- Mauthausen in Austria. WAXMAN, for authoring this important resolu- itism around the globe. After almost giving up, Simon Wiesenthal tion. We were all saddened to hear recently Born on New Year’s Eve in 1908, Simon regained his strength and redefined his life’s that Mr. Wiesenthal passed away at the age of Wiesenthal spent the bulk of his life fighting task as a quest for justice. He did not vow to 96. for those who, like him, had suffered unspeak- fight for vengeance. Instead, the goal of his Mr. Wiesenthal overcame great trials to be- able wrongs at the hands of the Nazis and noble cause was to create a historical memory come one of the few fortunate enough to sur- their collaborators across Europe. He was in- that would prevent any repetition of the hor- vive the slaughter of 6 million people during terned at the Janwska concentration camp in rible atrocities committed during the Holo- the Holocaust. He did not escape unscathed 1941 and survived twelve different camps until caust. as, tragically, 89 members of his family per- his liberation from the Mauthausen camp in He was instrumental in tracking down fugi- ished at the hands of the Nazis. 1945. From that moment until his passing on tive Nazis, and a significant component of his Almost immediately upon being liberated by September 20, 2005, Simon Wiesenthal dedi- mission was to pressure governments around an American military unit on May 5, 1945, Mr. cated his life to fighting for those who perished the world to continue their pursuit and perse- Wiesenthal dedicated his life to tracking down in the Holocaust. cution of war criminals. The Simon Wiesenthal

VerDate Aug 31 2005 03:58 Oct 07, 2005 Jkt 049060 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A06OC7.027 H06OCPT1 H8678 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 6, 2005 Center, an international Jewish human rights Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. TITLE III—TANF organization dedicated to preserving the mem- Speaker, I yield back the balance of Sec. 301. Additional funding for certain ory of the Holocaust carries on his legacy. my time. States affected by Hurricane Simon Wiesenthal was committed to the re- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Katrina providing emergency membrance of those who he feared would be question is on the motion offered by short term benefits to assist the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. families evacuated within the forgotten, and today we become committed to State. remembering him. While in Vienna in 1993, SMITH) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. TITLE I—ASSISTANCE RELATING TO Simon Wiesenthal said, ‘‘To young people UNEMPLOYMENT here, I am the last. I’m the one who can still Con. Res. 248, as amended. SEC. 101. SPECIAL TRANSFER IN FISCAL YEAR speak. After me, it’s history.’’ To continue his The question was taken. 2006. mission, we must not forget this history. We The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Section 903 of the Social Security Act (42 must continue to fight for the same principles opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of U.S.C. 1103) is amended by adding at the end that defined Simon Wiesenthal’s objective. It is those present have voted in the affirm- the following: troubling that even today one of the most no- ative. ‘‘Special Transfer in Fiscal Year 2006 torious sentiments of the Second World War— Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I ‘‘(e) Not later than 10 days after the date of anti-Semitism—has yet to be eradicated. It is demand the yeas and nays. the enactment of this subsection, the Sec- our duty to combat anti-Semitism and all reli- The yeas and nays were ordered. retary of the Treasury shall transfer from gious bigotry whenever and wherever it arises. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the Federal unemployment account— When asked why he chose to search for ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the ‘‘(1) $15,000,000 to the account of Alabama Chair’s prior announcement, further in the Unemployment Trust Fund; Nazi war criminals instead of continuing a ca- ‘‘(2) $400,000,000 to the account of Louisiana reer in architecture, Simon Wiesenthal re- proceedings on this motion will be in the Unemployment Trust Fund; and sponded: ‘‘You’re a religious man. You believe postponed. ‘‘(3) $85,000,000 to the account of Mississippi in God and life after death. I also believe. f in the Unemployment Trust Fund.’’. When we come to the other world and meet SEC. 102. FLEXIBILITY IN UNEMPLOYMENT COM- the millions of Jews who died in the camps GENERAL LEAVE PENSATION ADMINISTRATION TO and they ask us, ‘What have you done?’ there Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. ADDRESS HURRICANE KATRINA. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Notwithstanding any provision of section will be many answers. You will say, ‘I became 302(a) or 303(a)(8) of the Social Security Act, a jeweler.’ Another will say, ‘I smuggled coffee all Members may have 5 legislative any State may, on or after August 28, 2005, and American cigarettes.’ Still another will say, days within which to revise and extend use any amounts received by such State pur- ‘I built houses,’ but I will say, ‘I didn’t forget their remarks and include extraneous suant to title III of the Social Security Act you.’’’ material on H. Con. Res. 248. to assist in the administration of claims for And today, we must unite to say that we will The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. SIM- compensation on behalf of any other State if not forget Simon Wiesenthal and we, as MONS). Is there objection to the request a major disaster was declared with respect to such other State or any area within such strong and responsible human beings, will of the gentleman from New Jersey? There was no objection. other State under the Robert T. Stafford carry forth his mission. Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support f Act by reason of Hurricane Katrina. H. Con. Res. 248, which honors the life of SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY SEC. 103. REGULATIONS. Simon Wiesenthal, and appreciate the gen- RELIEF AND RECOVERY ACT OF The Secretary of Labor may prescribe any tleman from California, Mr. WAXMAN, for bring- operating instructions or regulations nec- 2005 ing this resolution to the floor. essary to carry out this title and any amend- Mr. Wiesenthal lived through one of the Mr. MCCRERY. Mr. Speaker, I move ment made by this title. darkest eras of world history. Yet out of the to suspend the rules and pass the bill TITLE II—HEALTH PROVISIONS suffering he and millions of other Jews experi- (H.R. 3971) to provide assistance to in- SEC. 201. ELIMINATION OF MEDICARE COVERAGE enced, he found purpose by dedicating the dividuals and States affected by Hurri- OF DRUGS USED FOR TREATMENT cane Katrina. OF SEXUAL OR ERECTILE DYSFUNC- last 60 years of his life to the pursuit of justice TION. The Clerk read as follows: for the victims of the Holocaust. (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1860D–2(e)(2)(A) Simon Wiesenthal was determined to en- H.R. 3971 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w- sure that those who exacted horrific crimes on Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- 102(e)(2)(A)) is amended— their fellow man be held accountable. If a resentatives of the United States of America in (1) by striking the period at the end and in- former Nazi war criminal was not caught and Congress assembled, serting ‘‘, as such sections were in effect on brought to justice, Mr. Wiesenthal’s dogged SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. the date of the enactment of this part.’’; and This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Social Serv- (2) by adding at the end the following: work ensured they would live their life in fear ‘‘Such term also does not include a drug of being caught. The bottom line is war crimi- ices Emergency Relief and Recovery Act of 2005’’. when used for the treatment of sexual or nals should not be allowed to live out their erectile dysfunction, unless such drug were SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS. lives with impunity and Mr. Wiesenthal worked used to treat a condition, other than sexual to see this would not happen. The table of contents of this Act is as fol- or erectile dysfunction, for which the drug lows: Simon Wiesenthal’s legacy sends a mes- has been approved by the Food and Drug Ad- Sec. 1. Short title. sage that continues to be heard around the ministration.’’. Sec. 2. Table of contents. (b) CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section world—perpetrators of genocide cannot and TITLE I—ASSISTANCE RELATING TO shall be construed as preventing a prescrip- will not be allowed to hide from their crimes. UNEMPLOYMENT tion drug plan or an MA–PD plan from pro- His memory is forever preserved in the work Sec. 101. Special transfer in fiscal year 2006. viding coverage of drugs for the treatment of of The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which was Sec. 102. Flexibility in unemployment com- sexual or erectile dysfunction as supple- founded in 1977 to promote awareness of pensation administration to ad- mental prescription drug coverage under sec- anti-Semitism, monitor neo-Nazi and other ex- dress Hurricane Katrina. tion 1860D–2(a)(2)(A)(ii) of the Social Secu- tremist groups, and help bring surviving Nazi Sec. 103. Regulations. rity Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w-102(a)(2)(A)(ii)). war criminals to justice. The Center has done (c) EFFECTIVE DATES.—The amendment TITLE II—HEALTH PROVISIONS made by subsection (a)(1) shall take effect as tremendous work in his name, including open- Sec. 201. Elimination of medicare coverage if included in the enactment of the Medicare ing the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles of drugs used for treatment of Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Mod- in 1993, which has received over two million sexual or erectile dysfunction. ernization Act of 2003 (Public Law 108–173) visitors, and making major contributions to the Sec. 202. Elimination of medicaid coverage and the amendment made by subsection June 2005 Organization for Security and Co- of drugs used for treatment of (a)(2) shall apply to coverage for drugs dis- operation in Europe Conference on Anti- sexual or erectile dysfunction. pensed on or after January 1, 2007. Semitism and on Other Forms of Intolerance. Sec. 203. Extension of sunset for transitional SEC. 202. ELIMINATION OF MEDICAID COVERAGE medical assistance (TMA). OF DRUGS USED FOR TREATMENT I join with all of colleagues in recognizing Sec. 204. Extension of abstinence education OF SEXUAL OR ERECTILE DYSFUNC- Simon Wiesenthal’s compassionate commit- program. TION. ment to justice and urge passage of this reso- Sec. 205. Extension of Qualified Individual (a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1927(d)(2) of the lution. (QI) program. Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-8(d)(2)) is

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