S4310 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 27, 1999 places as Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and In his moving remarks at Temple ple to act ‘‘normally’’ while Jews, their Sudan that we have not learned the Beth Ami, Benjamin Meed, the Presi- neighbors for hundreds of years, burned and lessons of the past. dent of the American Gathering of Hol- died inside the Ghetto walls? But they were The ongoing campaign of violence not the only ones to ignore our plight. In- ocaust Survivors and a survivor him- deed, the entire world stood by. No doors and hate perpetrated by Slobodan self of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, were opened, no policies were changed to Milosevic and his thugs against the spoke eloquently before this assembly make rescue possible. Why? The question Kosovar Albanians is but the latest ex- of the importance of overcoming indif- cries out for an answer across the decades. ample of the campaigns of terror car- ference to genocide. Ben Meed has dedi- If only there had been a State of Israel ried out against innocent civilians sim- cated himself to working hard along sixty years ago, how different this story ply because of who they are. These peo- could have been. with many other survivors to ensure Tonight, we especially remember the pas- ple are not combatants and they have that the memory of millions is still sengers on the S.S. St. Louis—more than nine committed no crimes—they are simply with us, and I believe that the United hundred men, women and children. Robbed of ethnic Albanians who wish to live in States Holocaust Memorial Museum is their possessions, stunned and hurt during peace in their homes in Kosovo. But, a fitting and exceptional tribute to his Kristallnacht, and threatened with their because they are ethnic Albanians, efforts. In his words, the Holocaust Mu- lives, many of them were forced to sign they have been murdered or driven out, seum is ‘‘the culmination of our devo- agreements never to return to Germany. Out their possessions have been looted, and tion to Remembrance.’’ on the high seas, powerless to affect their outcome, these nine hundred people floated their homes have been burned. Many Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- between political infighting and immigra- more are hiding in the mountains of sent that Benjamin Meed’s remarks at tion quarrels, both in Cuba and the United Kosovo, caught in a dangerous limbo, Temple Beth Ami be entered into the States. Their fates were in the hands of oth- afraid to try to flee across the border RECORD at this point. ers whom they did not know and with whom to safety and unable to go home. REMARKS BY BENJAMIN MEED they had no influence. Finally accepted by On April 13, we marked Yom It is a special honor to be among such dis- four European nations, many of these pas- Hashoah, the annual remembrance of tinguished colleagues, especially Rabbi Jack sengers were swept into ‘‘the Final Solu- the 6 million Jews who were Luxemburg, vice chairman of the Wash- tion’’ when Western Europe fell to Nazi Ger- ington Jewish Community Council and the many. Why were these nine hundred denied exterminated by Nazi Germany. People entry into this country? Why was this trag- around the world gathered to light can- Rabbi here at Temple Beth Ami; and Manny (Emmanuel) Mandel, chairman of the Jewish edy allowed to happen? dles and read the names of those who If only there had been a State of Israel Community Council’s Holocaust Remem- died. Today, let us take a moment to sixty years ago! brance Committee. This year our commemoration falls within remember the victims of the 1915–1923 In this lovely new sanctuary that in itself the anniversaries of the discovery of Buchen- Armenian genocide, and all the other demonstrates the vibrancy of the Jewish wald concentration camp. On April 11, the community in our nation’s capital, we unite innocent people who have died in the troops of the United States 6th Armored Di- with Jewish people everywhere to remember course of human history at the hands vision rolled into the camp, just one mile those who were robbed and murdered by the of people who hated them simply for outside Weimer, the birthplace of German German Nazis and their collaborators—only who they were.∑ democracy. They were followed by the 80th because they were born as Jews. Infantry Division on April 12, just 54 years f Tonight, as we come together, we remem- ago tonight. These were war-weary, war- ber the people, places and events that shaped HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE AT hardened soldiers, but none of their fierce our memories: Memories of our ‘‘childhood,’’ combat had prepared them for Buchenwald— TEMPLE BETH AMI of our parents and siblings, of the world nor for the hundreds of other such camps Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I call which is now so far away. We remember the ∑ that American and Allied soldiers came laughter of children at play, the murmur of to the attention of my colleagues the across in their march to end the war in Eu- prayers at Shul, the warm love of our family recent Community-Wide Memorial Ob- rope. servance of Yom HaShoah V’Hagvurah gathered for Shabbos meals. That world was We will always be grateful to these soldiers held at Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, shattered by the German Nazis’ war against for their kindness and generosity, and we the Jews, while the world of bystanders Maryland. I had the privilege of par- will always remember those young soldiers around us was indifferent. who sacrificed their lives to bring us liberty. ticipating in this Holocaust remem- Our memories are full of sorrow. Our Many American GIs who saw the camps brance ceremony sponsored by the Jew- dreams are not dreams, but nightmares of join with us in declaring that genocide must ish Community Council of Greater final separation from those we loved. Parad- not be allowed to happen again. But despite Washington. I commend Temple Beth ing before us, when we sleep, are the experi- the echoes from the Holocaust, it has—in Ami for hosting this annual event and ences we endured—the endless years of Cambodia, in Rwanda, in Bosnia, and now in the Jewish Community Council for pro- ghettoes, labor camps, death camps, hiding Kosovo. places where betrayal was always imminent; viding the community in Maryland and We remember and our hearts go out to the forests and caves of the partisans where those who are caught in the web of destruc- the Washington, D.C. area with so life was always on the line. And no matter tion. many valuable services year-round. where we were, we were always hungry. For many years, we survivors were alone The Holocaust represents the most Each of us has our own story. Fifty-five in our memories. We spoke among ourselves tragic human chapter of the 20th cen- years ago, during the Warsaw Ghetto Upris- about the Holocaust, because no one else tury when six million Jews perished as ing, I was in Krasinski Square, just outside wanted to hear our stories. Still, we believed the result of a systematic and delib- of the walls of the Ghetto. I usually spent that the world must be told—must come to erate policy of annihilation. Holocaust my days in the zoo because I knew that the understand the significance of our experi- animals could not denounce me to the Ger- ences. remembrance is an effort to pay hom- man Nazis or to their collaborators. To the Slowly, acceptance of our memories age to the victims and educate the pub- animals, I was just another human being. began—at first, only by our fellow Jews, who lic about the painful lessons of this But on this Sunday, as an ‘‘Aryan’’ member realized that what we had witnessed was vi- horrible tragedy. of the Polish community, I went to church tally important to them. In time, other peo- As my colleagues are aware, this together with the Poles. ple began to understand the meaning and month marks the 54th year since the As we came out of church into the Square, consequences of our experiences. They lis- beginning of the liberation of the Nazi I heard the thunder of guns and the explosion tened. We survivors were no longer silent death camps in Europe and the 56th an- of grenades and I could see that the Jewish presences. We became the bearers of tales— Ghetto was on fire. It may have been a warm at once painful and precious. niversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Upris- Spring day, but I stood frozen. In front of us We survivors are now publicly bearing wit- ing. The occasion also is an oppor- in the Square, a carousel was turning around ness. We are offering challenges to the indif- tunity to remember the plight of the and around. The music attracted my Polish ference of Western governments, to the com- passengers aboard the S.S. St. Louis neighbors and their children. I watched in plicity of the Church, to the anti-Semitism who sought to rebuild their shattered disbelief as they flocked to the merry-go- of Christianity, and to the evil of the per- lives outside Europe. Most of the 937 round, indifferent to the tragedy so nearby. petrators, collaborators and—not the least— men, women and children who fled Ger- With every cry for help from my Jewish peo- to the bystanders. The movement to remem- many on the St. Louis on May 13, 1939 ple, tears swelled in my eyes. But the faces ber and to record is being led by survivors of those around me showed no concern, no who accept the burden that history placed were seeking refuge from Nazi persecu- compassion, not even any interest. upon us. tion but were turned back months be- The memory of this scene haunts and en- But whatever we know now, there is still fore the outbreak of World War II. rages me. How was it possible for these peo- so much that we do not know, we cannot April 27, 1999 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4311 know. There were the Six Million whose Germany wants to project a new image to mediately resume debate on the Y2K voices were silenced forever. We the few who the world, but it cannot be allowed to buy legislation. I encourage my colleagues survived must speak about them even the honor it deserted during the Holocaust. to come to the floor to debate this im- though we cannot truly speak for them. It must account for the horrible atrocities of portant issue. Further, the Senate may Although living in almost every state of its past. We must not permit Germany to this Union and following many professions, shift the focus away from its moral and fi- consider any other legislative or execu- survivors are united by a common memory. nancial responsibility for the slaughter of tive items cleared for action during to- We walk the byways of this great country, our people, acts for which there is no statute day’s session of the Senate. appreciative of its blessings of freedom and of limitations. Germany will be eternally re- f possibilities. We try to express our gratitude sponsible for the murder of the Six Million. for life by the quality of our lives, offering At the least, Germany must provide appro- ORDER FOR ADJOURNMENT hope and solace, and teaching the mystery of priate care for the survivors of their atroc- Mr. MCCAIN. If there is no further starting anew. ities who need help. More than anything, And now, over fifty years later, the world business to come before the Senate, I this is a moral issue. It is not welfare. It is now ask unanimous consent that the has come to Remember with us. In Germany, not a business deal. It is a ‘‘debt of honor,’’ France, Austria, and England; in Colombia, as Chancellor Adenauer said many years ago. Senate stand in adjournment under the Brazil, and Argentina; in Australia and New Maybe the claims of Holocaust survivors previous order following the remarks of Zealand, as well as Canada, in Israel, and in are unprecedented; but so was the robbery the Senator from Louisiana. our own beloved country, Yom Hashoah is on and murder. We will not stop until Germany The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without the calendar and commemorations are held and all the other nations who participated in objection, it is so ordered. in halls of honor. This is how memory is pre- the extermination process fulfill their obli- served—by determined, directed, dedication f gations. It is the right thing to do—for them to remembering—by telling and retelling the and for us. LITTLETON stories of the holocaust. You who live in this city are privileged to Let us Remember! Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I am have the United States Holocaust Memorial Thank you.∑ happy to note the overwhelming vote Museum—the culmination of our devotion to f that just occurred to try, in some Remembrance—to visit at your convenience. MEASURE READ THE FIRST small way, to express the feeling of This extraordinary institution, the largest this body about the recent tragedy in Holocaust Museum outside of Yad Vashem, TIME—S.J. RES. 22 Littleton, CO. It is a first step of per- has had more than twelve million visitors in Mr. MCCAIN. I understand S.J. Res. just five years. People come from near and haps many that will be taken to prop- 22 introduced earlier by Senator JEF- far, both within the United States and from erly address this tragedy. around the world. This Museum represents FORDS for himself and others is at the The massacre that occurred makes us the fulfillment of our pledge and more. It desk, and I ask that it be read the first all want to jump to action, because we contains many documents and artifacts that time. are action-oriented individuals and an testify about our experiences as well as pho- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The action-oriented body. That is why we tographs and notes from our loved ones. But clerk will report. more—it is an expression of the hope of are here—to do things. I think the The assistant legislative clerk read tendency in a situation like this is to every survivor—that no one anywhere in the as follows: world will ever have to endure what we did. want to jump out and do things so we And what lessons did we derive from these A joint resolution (S.J. Res. 22) to reau- can prevent another tragedy in the fu- horrible experiences? The most important thorize and modify conditions for the con- ture. The problem is, with that ap- sent of Congress to the Northeast Interstate lesson is obvious—it can happen again, the proach, this situation has actually impossible is possible again. Ethnic cleans- Dairy Compact, and to grant the consent of ing, genocide, is happening as I speak. It can Congress to the Southern Dairy Compact. raised more questions than it has pro- vided answers. happen to any one or any group of people. Mr. MCCAIN. I now ask for its second I will share with Members some of The slaughter in Kosovo and in other places reading and object to my own request. the leading news articles this week. must be brought to an end. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objec- Should there be another Holocaust, it may ‘‘Why?’’ Newsweek asks. ‘‘Why?’’ U.S. tion is heard. be on a cosmic scale. How can we prevent it? News & World Report asks. Again, a All of us must remain vigilant—always f very important question that should be aware, always on guard against those who are determined to destroy innocent human ORDERS FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL answered. life for no other reason than birthright. 28, 1999 Time Magazine asked, What can Just as we survivors have dedicated our- schools do? Where were the parents? Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask selves to preserving memory and bearing These are all very, very important unanimous consent that when the Sen- witness, we are now equally determined to questions that should be answered. ate completes its business today, it make certain, in the little time we have left, It is important at this time in the stand in adjournment until 10:30 a.m. that all survivors live out their years in se- Senate and in the House and within the curity and dignity. Most of us have accom- on Wednesday, April 28. I further ask leadership of this country to perhaps plished a great deal, but there are those who that on Wednesday, immediately fol- do a little bit more listening than talk- have been less fortunate. As you know, some lowing the prayer, the Journal of pro- ing, so we can help find answers as to live in distressing circumstances. Many are ceedings be approved to date, the forsaken, afflicted by illness, and, perhaps why this tragedy happened in order to morning hour be deemed to have ex- worst of all, they carry the nightmares of attempt to prevent it from happening pired, and the time for the two leaders the Holocaust with them. in the future. This is not the first such Although the government of Germany has be reserved for their use later in the tragedy. This is, unfortunately, a long acknowledged to some degree its responsi- day. I also ask that at 10:30 a.m. the line of recent incidents. bility for the robbery and murder of our peo- Senate begin a period of morning busi- It may prompt some parents or some ple, the greatest in history, it has not fully ness until 12 noon with Senators per- lawmakers to say ban all video games assumed its obligations. Recently, some Ger- mitted to speak for up to 10 minutes man companies admitted their use of Jewish and movies. It could prompt some peo- with the following exceptions: Senator slave labor during the Holocaust. The gov- ple to say ban all guns and bomb-mak- LOTT, or his designee, 30 minutes; Sen- ernment and these companies have offered ing equipment everywhere in every in- ator DURBIN, 30 minutes; and Senator what they call reparations. But how can they stance. It could prompt others to ei- ever provide compensation for our stolen KERRY for 15 minutes. ther call for severe censure of the real property, savings accounts, art, jewelry, The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Internet or the abolition of the Inter- and personal belongings—the gold in our objection, it is so ordered. teeth, the use of our skills and bodies, the net. pain and suffering inflicted upon each and f I suggest, as respectfully as possible, every one of us? How can there ever be PROGRAM that now may not be the time to push enough money to pay for the wrongful im- through laws or initiatives, either at prisonment, torture, starvation and murder Mr. MCCAIN. For the information of the Federal or State level, before we of six million Jews—in their homes, on the streets, in fields and forests, in the gas all Senators, the Senate will convene can get some answers to these very chambers? Is there a way that they can re- at 10:30 a.m. and be in a period of morn- troubling questions. store our families, our youth, our health, our ing business until 12 noon. Following I am not suggesting that nothing be sense of personal security? Absolutely not! morning business, the Senate will im- done—absolutely the opposite, that we