E914 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 11, 1999 hundreds of miles and hundreds of years of How could the civilized world allow it to darkest of times, more than eager to profit culture. Later, the air ships would fly the happen? Why were we so abandoned? Six mil- from the German war against the Jews. Ethiopians to Israel by the thousands as lion times, why? None of the so-called ‘‘neutral’’ nations they did their Yemenite brothers and sisters This year’s national Days of Remembrance has fully assumed responsibility for its con- 40 years earlier. theme is dedicated to the voyage of the SS duct during the Holocaust. The bankers, bro- Today, the ships of the air continue to fly, St. Louis. It is a story of refuge denied; it is kers, and business people who helped Nazi loaded with Jews from Moscow and Minsk, a tale of international abandonment and be- Germany now offer some money to survivors, Bucharest and Bukhara, Kiev and St. Peters- trayal. Why were they refused entry into but they say little about their collaboration. burg. In recent weeks, they have been arriv- this country? How can we ever understand They utter not a word about how they sent ing from Belgrade and Kosovo, too. As Israel why this was allowed to happen? Today, it is fleeing Jews back to the German Nazi’s ma- has been a haven to Jews, so it has also been, inconceivable to us just how that ship in chinery of destruction, nor about how they in its small way, a haven to Moslem refugees those days was turned away. supported the Nazis in other ways—no ad- from Bosnia and Kosovo. Today 54 years ago the American soldiers mission of guilt; no regret; no expression of Ladies and gentlemen, I am reminded of came across Nazi Germany slave labor camps moral responsibility. one other boat. The ship’s log is found in the and liberated Buchenwald and saved many of We must guard against dangerous, unin- Tanach, the Jewish Bible, ‘‘The Lord then us who are here present today. Our gratitude tended consequences arising from all that is hurled a furious wind upon the sea; there was will remain with us forever. We will always going on now. Hopefully, family properties a heavy storm at sea, and the ship was about remain grateful to these soldiers for their and other valuables will be returned to their to be broken up. The sailors were frightened, kindness and generosity, and we will always rightful owners. But the blinding glitter of each cried to his own god and they threw remember those young soldiers who sac- gold—the unrealistic expectations created by overboard the cargo that was in the ship in rificed their lives to bring us liberty. all the international publicity—has diverted order to lighten it; but Jonah had gone down Today, wherever Jews live—from Antwerp attention from the evil which was the Holo- below deck and was lying fast asleep.’’ Later, to Melbourne, from Jerusalem to Buenos caust. when they cast lots, and the lot fell upon Aires, from New York to Budapest—we come For five decades, we survivors vowed that Jonah, the ship’s crew turned to Jonah and together to remember to say Kadish collec- what happened to our loved ones would be re- asked, ‘‘What have you done?! They knew tively. membered and that our experiences would that Jonah was running away from the Remembering the Holocaust is now a part serve as a warning to future generations. We Lord’s presence.’’ of the Jewish calendar. We are together in must continue to make sure that the images Friends, Jonah could not run away from our dedication to Memory and our aspiration of gold bars wrapped in yellow Stars of David his duties, and he realized after experiencing for peace and brotherhood. Yom Hashoah, do not overshadow the impressions of a the dark and dank belly of the great fish, the Days of Remembrance, time to collec- mother protecting her daughter with her that you could try to run from your respon- tively bear witness as a community. coat, upon which a Star of David is sewn, or sibilities even to the depths of the ocean, but And what lessons did we derive from these of a young boy desperately clutching his fa- you cannot hide. That is why the book of horrible experiences? The most important ther’s hand a Auschwitz/Birkenau before en- Jonah is traditionally read in synagogues on lesson is obvious—it can happen again the tering the gas chambers. Yom Kippur. impossible is possible again. Ethnic cleans- The search for lost and stolen Jewish- The late contemporary sage, Rabbi Yosef ing, genocide, is happening as I speak. It can owned assets has generated enormous pub- Dov Soloveitchik, would quote his grand- happen to any one or any group of people. licity and excitement, but it also has created father, Rabbi Chaim of Brisk: ‘‘The function The slaughter in Kosovo and in other places serious concerns. Gold, bank accounts, insur- of the halachic (righteous) man is to redress must be brought to an end. ance policies and other assets have become the grievances of those who are abandoned Should there be another Holocaust, it may the focal point of the Holocaust. That some- and alone, to protect the dignity of the poor be on a cosmic scale. How can we prevent it? how minimizes Germany’s murderous role. and to save the oppressed from the hands of All of us must remain vigilant—always Great care must be taken to find a balance. his oppressor.’’ aware, always on guard against those who The various investigations must continue to Yes, that is how we can and must avoid the are determined to destroy innocent human uncover the hidden or little publicized truths moral shipwreck caused by apathy and indif- life for no other reason than birthright. about the so-called neutral countries that ference, and bring humankind to safe port. It is vital that we remember; it is our com- collaborated, and to recover what rightfully Thank you. mitment to those who perished, and to each belongs to the victims, survivors and their other; a commitment taken up by our chil- f families. dren and, hopefully, by the generations to The focus should never be shifted from the BENJAMIN MEED SPEECH ON THE come. What we remember is gruesome and moral and financial responsibility of Ger- painful. But remember we must. Over the DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE many for the slaughter of our people—acts years, we have tried to make certain that for which there is no statute of limitations, what happened to us was communicated and acts for which Germany remains eternally HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY continues to be told, and retold, until it be- responsible. Our books should not and can- comes an inseparable part of the world’s con- OF NEW YORK not be closed. science. Let us Remember. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES And yet, some fifty years after the Holo- Tuesday, May 11, 1999 caust, we continue to be repulsed by revela- f tions about the enormity of the crimes Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, against our people. And we are shocked to PERSONAL EXPLANATION I would like to share with my colleagues the learn of the behavior of those who could have remarks of Mr. Benjamin Meed who recently helped us, or at least, not hurt us, but who, gave an exceptionally moving speech about instead, actually helped those whose goal HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN Yom Hashoah, The Days of Remembrance, at was to wipe us out. Sadly, many of those who OF MARYLAND Congregation Emanu-El in my district in New claimed they were neutral were actually in- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES York City. Mr. Meed is Chairman of both The volved with the German Nazis. They were anything but not neutral. Tuesday, May 11, 1999 Warsaw Ghetto Resistance Organization The world has now learned that the Holo- (WAGRO) and The Days of Remembrance Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I missed rollcall caust was not only the greatest murder of vote No. 97 and subsequent votes due to a Committee, United States Holocaust Memorial humanity, the greatest crime against hu- bout with pneumonia that resulted in a stay in Council. He is also the President of the Amer- manity, but also the greatest robbery in the ican Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors. history of mankind. Driven from our homes, the hospital. I have listed each missed vote Mr. Meed is a champion of humanitarian stripped of family heirlooms—indeed of all below and how I would have voted on each causes around the world. our possessions—the German Nazis and their measure had I been present. collaborators took anything that was or Rollcall votes: No. 97 ``yes''; No. 98 ``yes''; TRIBUTE TO THE SIX MILLION JEWISH MAR- could be of value for recycling. They stole No. 99 ``no''; No. 100 ``no''; No. 101 ``no''; No. TYRS—56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WARSAW from the living and even defiled the Jewish 102 ``no''; No. 103 ``yes''; No. 104 ``yes''; No. GHETTO UPRISING dead, tearing out gold fillings and cutting off 105 ``yes''; No. 106 ``yes''; No. 107 ''yes''; No. Today, Jews gather to pay tribute to the fingers to recover wedding bands from our memory of our Six Million brothers and sis- loved ones who they had murdered. 108 ``yes''; No. 109 ``yes''; No. 110 ``no''; No. ters murdered only because they were Jew- But the German Nazis did not—could not— 111 ``yes''; No. 112 ``no''; No. 113 ``yes''; No. ish; We gather to honor the fighters of the do it alone. The same people who now offer 114 ``no''; No. 115 ``yes''; No. 116 ``no''; No. Warsaw Ghetto; to grieve; and to continue reasonable sounding justifications for their 117 ``no''; No. 118 ``yes''; No. 119 ``no''; No. asking the questions: Why did it happen? conduct during the Holocaust were, in those 120 ``yes''. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E915 26TH ANNUAL HANK STRAM-TONY CONGRATULATING NORTHWEST ice in time of emergency. They must possess ZALE SPORTS AWARD BANQUET BERGEN CENTRAL DISPATCH ON the ability to remain calm and reassuring while ACCREDITATION rapidly evaluating the situation and directing HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY help. Police officers, firefighters and ambulance OF INDIANA HON. MARGE ROUKEMA OF NEW JERSEY workers are justifiably known to and given IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES credit by the public. But almost every emer- Tuesday, May 11, 1999 gency call begins with a 911 call to a commu- Tuesday, May 11, 1999 nications dispatch center. Without these hard- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my dis- Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to con- working, highly trained and dedicated men and tinct pleasure to announce that the Silver Bell gratulate the Northwest Bergen Central Dis- women, our streets would not be as safe as Club, Lodge 2365 of the Polish National Alli- patch center on becoming the first public safe- they are today. I ask my colleagues in the ance of the United States, will be hosting the ty communications facility in the nation to re- House of Representatives to join me in con- 26th Annual Hank Stram-Tony Zale Sports ceive the prestigious new Certificate of Public gratulating Northwestern Bergen Central Dis- Award Banquet on May 17, 1999, at the Safety Communications Accreditation from the patch on achieving this accreditation, and on Radisson Hotel in Merrillville, Indiana. Twenty Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforce- the hard work it took to meet the standards in- outstanding Northwest Indiana High School ment Agencies. This accreditation is national volved. athletes will be honored at this notable event recognition of the highly professional stand- f for their dedication and hard work. These out- ards employed at NBCD. The fact that it is the standing students were chosen to receive the first facility in the nation to receive this rating RECOGNIZING KIM PEEK award by their respective schools on the basis is a special honor for this team of life-saving of academic and athletic achievement. All pro- public safety professionals. HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH ceeds from this event will go toward a scholar- Police, fire and ambulance servicesÐwith OF CALIFORNIA ship fund to be awarded to local students. the life-saving assistance they bringÐare an IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES This year's Hank Stram-Tony Zale Award essential part of our daily lives. And when Tuesday, May 11, 1999 recipients include: Tiffany Crawford of those services are needed, they are always Chesterton High School; Analisa Dziedziejko needed immediately. That is why it is vitally Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise of Valparaiso High School; Dana Gombus of important that public safety agencies have today to recognize Kim Peek. Kim was the in- Merrillville High School; Laura Jelski of High- communications facilities that are efficient and spiration for screen writer Barry Morrow's land High School; Kevin Krajewski of Crown reliable. When a citizen makes a 911 call in 1988 Oscar-winning movie ``Rain Man.'' Point High School; Matt Kubiak of Wheeler an emergency, that call absolutely must go Though the movie plot is not about Kim's life, High School; Andrius Malinauskas of Ham- through, be answered and be responded to Kim was the original inspiration for the title mond High School; Mike McGinley of Lake appropriatelyÐwith exceptions or excuses. character. Station High School; Troy Mezera of River With a facility like NBCD, residents of north- Kim is a unique person. He was diagnosed Forest High School; Karen Saliga of Ham- western Bergen County can rest assured that as a megasavant born with fetal brain damage mond Clark High School; Mary Samreta of Ho- will be the case. which affected his motor sensors. Kim is bart High School; Todd Smolinski of Lake Established in 1994, NBCD provides 911 termed a megasavant because of his knowl- Central High School; Jeremy Stockwell of and general public safety communications edge of remarkably diverse subject information Andrean High School; Christopher Trojnar of services for the municipalities of Ridgewood, and total recall capabilities of almost every- Bishop Noll High School; Justin Valentine of Glen Rock, Franklin Lakes, Ramsey and Oak- thing he has read since he was three-years Lowell High School; David Verta of Whiting land in Bergen County, New Jersey. The com- old. High School; Joshua Wyant of Boone Grove munications center is located in Ridgewood Since March of 1989, when the movie ``Rain High School; Robert Yamtich of Munster High and features a computer-aided dispatch sys- Man'' received four Oscars, Kim and his father School; Laura Zagrocki of Griffith High School; tem, touch-screen radios and an enhanced Fran have traveled throughout the United and Jeff Zeha of Portage High School. 911 system. Laptop computers are being in- States taking their message to those who will The featured speaker at this gala event will stalled in police, fire and ambulance vehicles listen. Kim's message is ``Learn to recognize be Mr. Paul Hornung. Mr. Hornung is a former to better link them with dispatchers. The nine and respect differences in others, and treat football player from Notre Dame University full-time and 15 part-time employees work in a them as you would like them to treat you. This and is known as the original ``Golden Boy.'' He modern, four-position communications room. will help give us the kind of world we hope for. received the Heisman Trophy in 1956 and is Administrative offices, training and meeting Share, care, be your best!'' Kim has been featured on numerous tele- a former NFL player for the Green Bay Pack- areas, equipment rooms and support facilities vision stations nationwide and in more than ers. He was a star player for the Packers in complete the center. The entire facility is 430 newspaper articles. He has been on a variety of positions for many years. equipped with emergency electrical generators ABC's 20/20 and on Good Morning America. Hank Stram, one of the most successful to keep it operating in the event of power fail- His story has been broadcast in nearly every coaches in professional football history, will ure. The center currently handles more than state in the United States, as well as South also be in attendance at this memorable 125,000 telephone calls annually. It was de- Africa, Australia, England, and Japan. event. Hank was raised in Gary, Indiana, and signed with expansion in mind and could be Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Kim graduated from Lew Wallace High School enlarged to handle additional services or mu- Peek for his uniqueness, and for his contribu- where he played football, basketball, baseball, nicipalities. tion to society. I urge my colleagues to join me and ran track. While attending college at Pur- The goal of accreditation is to improve the in wishing Kim and his father many more due University in West Lafayette, Hank won delivery of public safety services, to improve years of continued success. four letters in baseball and three letters in the communications services that assist public f football. During his senior year he received the safety officers, and to offer standards by which Big Ten Medal, which is awarded to the con- organizations' effectiveness and efficiency can TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY AND OZZIE ference athlete who best combines athletic be objectively reviewed and improved. To re- GOREN AND THEIR FAMILY and academic success. After college Hank en- ceive accreditation, NBCD had to comply with tered the NFL, where he became best noted more than 200 standards set by the commis- HON. BRAD SHERMAN for coaching the Kansas City Chiefs to a sion. A team of commission officials visited the OF CALIFORNIA Super Bowl victory in 1970. site to verify compliance. In the team's report, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distin- officials said, ``Northwest Bergen Central Dis- guished colleagues to join me in commending patch has set the benchmark by which com- Tuesday, May 11, 1999 the Silver Bell Club, Lodge 2365 of the Polish munications centers across the United States Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to National Alliance of the United States, for ** * must now be measured.'' pay tribute to Dorothy and Ozzie Goren and hosting this celebration of success in sports Special recognition is in order for NBCD their family for their outstanding contributions and academics. The effort of all those involved Manager Robert Greenlaw and his dispatchers to the Jewish community and the community in planning this worthwhile event is indicative for their dedication and hard work. Public safe- at large for many decades. of their devotion to the very gifted young peo- ty dispatchers are the public's first contact with The Talmud states that ``He who does char- ple in Indiana's First Congressional District. the police, fire department or ambulance serv- ity and justice is as if he had filled the whole