S1654 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE March 18, 2021 has had devastating consequences for (2) commends the Holocaust welcome the Czech government’s decision to the health of our country and econ- Memorial Museum for its role in promoting remove the pig farm at the site of the Lety omy. The pandemic has also uniquely remembrance of the Holocaust and educating concentration camp the role of the Museum of about the genocide of Roma; harmed women and girls—especially Romani Culture in ensuring a proper memori- women of color. A disproportionate (3) supports International Roma Day as an opportunity to honor the culture, history, alization of that sensitive site. number of women have lost their jobs and heritage of the in the Finally, this resolution commends the U.S. as a result of the pandemic, and are United States as part of the larger Romani Holocaust Memorial Museum for its critically often unable to maintain work com- global ; and important role in promoting remembrance of mitments with children learning from (4) welcomes the Department of State’s the Holocaust and educating audiences about home while schools are closed. As far participation in ceremonies and events cele- the genocide of Roma. The U.S. Holocaust as we have come, this unequal harm brating International Roma Day and similar Memorial Museum is the preeminent federal engagement by the United States Govern- borne by women during the pandemic institution dedicated to serving as a living me- reminds us of the work toward equality ment. Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, today, I am in- morial to the Holocaust. I am honored to serve that is yet to be done. We must con- as a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial tinue our work to ensure fairness and troducing, along with Senator WICKER, a reso- lution that celebrates Romani American herit- Museum Council, and I welcome the initiatives equity for women everywhere. of the Museum to ensure that Romani victims As we undertake to celebrate Wom- age. are remembered and that related scholarship en’s History Month, I ask my col- As a member of the U.S. Helsinki Commis- is supported. leagues to celebrate with me how far sion and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly I am pleased that Sen. WICKER has joined we have come and to continue the fight Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Rac- for the progress of all women—espe- ism and Intolerance, I have long worked to im- me in introducing this resolution and urge cially those who are struggling during prove the situation of Roma throughout the other colleagues to join us in celebrating these trying times. OSCE region. This includes efforts to advance Romani American heritage. Thank you Mr. President and I yield human rights compliant policing, ending ethnic f and religious profiling, supporting diversity and the floor. SENATE RESOLUTION 125—RECOG- inclusion in the U.S. national security work- f NIZING THE HERITAGE, CUL- force and human rights training for foreign TURE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF SENATE RESOLUTION 124—CELE- service officers, and supporting free and fair AMERICAN INDIAN, ALASKA NA- BRATING THE HERITAGE OF elections in the OSCE participating States. I TIVE, AND NATIVE HAWAIIAN ROMANI also supported the appointment of Dr. Ethel WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. Brooks to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Mu- WICKER) submitted the following reso- seum Council, on which I also currently serve. Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself, Mr. lution; which was referred to the Com- The resolution we are introducing today SCHATZ, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BENNET, Mr. mittee on Foreign Relations: does four things. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. BOOKER, Ms. CANT- S. RES. 124 First, it recognizes and celebrates Romani WELL, Ms. CORTEZ MASTO, Mr. DAINES, Whereas the Romani people trace their an- American heritage. Roma have come to the Ms. DUCKWORTH, Mr. HEINRICH, Ms. cestry to the Indian subcontinent; United States with every wave of European HIRONO, Mr. HOEVEN, Mr. KAINE, Mr. Whereas Roma have been a part of Euro- migration since the colonial period. In the KELLY, Mr. KING, Ms. KLOBUCHAR, Mr. pean immigration to the United States since United States, there may be as many as one LUJA´ N, Mr. MORAN, Mr. MENENDEZ, Mr. the colonial period and particularly fol- million Americans with some Romani ancestry, MERKLEY, Mr. PADILLA, Ms. ROSEN, Mr. lowing the abolition of the enslavement of whether distant or more recent. Romani peo- ROUNDS, Mr. SANDERS, Mr. SCHUMER, Roma in the historic Romanian principal- ple have made distinct and important contribu- ities; Mrs. SHAHEEN, Ms. SINEMA, Ms. SMITH, Whereas Roma live across the world and tions in many fields, including agriculture, art, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. SULLIVAN, Mr. throughout the United States; crafts, literature, medicine, military service, TESTER, Mr. WARNER, Ms. WARREN, and Whereas the Romani people have made dis- music, sports, and science. Mr. WYDEN) submitted the following tinct and important contributions in many Second, it supports International Roma Day resolution; which was referred to the fields, including agriculture, art, crafts, lit- and the Department of State’s robust engage- Committee on Indian Affairs: erature, medicine, military service, music, ment in activities to that occasion. In 1971, on S. RES. 125 sports, and science; April 8th, 1971, the First World Romani Con- Whereas, on April 8, 1971, the First World gress met in London, bringing Roma together Whereas the United States celebrates Na- Romani Congress met in London, bringing tional Women’s History Month every March Roma together from across Europe and the from across Europe and the United States to recognize and honor the achievements of United States with the goal of promoting with the goal of promoting transnational co- women throughout the history of the United transnational cooperation among Roma in operation among Roma, combating social States; combating social marginalization and build- marginalization, and building a positive future Whereas an estimated 3,081,000 American ing a positive future for Roma everywhere; for Roma everywhere. April 8th is now cele- Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Whereas April 8 is therefore celebrated brated as ‘‘International Roma Day’’ around women live in the United States; globally as International Roma Day; the world. U.S. ambassadors and our embas- Whereas American Indian, Alaska Native, Whereas Roma were victims of genocide sies across Europe are frequently asked to and Native Hawaiian women helped shape carried out by Nazi Germany and its Axis the history of their communities, Tribes, and partners, and an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 participate in April 8th celebrations across the the United States; Romani people were killed by Nazis and their region. I commend the important work they Whereas American Indian, Alaska Native, allies across Europe during World War II; are doing as they demonstrate U.S. commit- and Native Hawaiian women contribute to Whereas, on the night of August 2-3, 1944, ment to inclusive societies not only on April their communities, Tribes, and the United the so-called ‘‘Gypsy Family Camp’’ where 8th, but also throughout the year. States through military service, public serv- Romani people were interned at Auschwitz- Third, this resolution commemorates the de- ice, and work in many industries, including Birkenau was liquidated, and in a single struction of the so-called ‘‘Gypsy Family business, education, science, medicine, lit- night, between 4,200 and 4,300 Romani men, Camp’’ at Auschwitz. It is estimated that be- erature, and fine arts; Whereas American Indian, Alaska Native, women, and children were killed in gas tween 200,000 and 500,000 Romani people chambers; and Native Hawaiian women have fought to Whereas many countries are taking posi- were killed in death camps and elsewhere defend and protect the sovereign rights of tive steps to remember and teach about the throughout Europe. On August 2–3, 1944, Native Nations; genocide of Roma by Nazi Germany and its Nazis murdered between 4,200 and 4,300 Whereas American Indian, Alaska Native, Axis partners; and Romani men, women, and children in gas and Native Hawaiian women have dem- Whereas the United States Congress held chambers when the Nazis decided to liquidate onstrated resilience and courage in the face its first hearing to examine the situation of this camp. A number of governments in recent of a history of threatened existence, con- Roma in 1994: Now, therefore, be it years have taken important steps to com- stant removals, and relocations; Resolved, That the Senate— Whereas more than 6,000 American Indian, (1) remembers the genocide of Roma by memorate the genocide of Roma, to remem- Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women Nazi Germany and its Axis partners and ber the victims, and educate future genera- bravely serve as members of the United commemorates the destruction of the tions. Germany took an important step when it States Armed Forces; ‘‘Gypsy Family Camp’’ where Romani people opened in Berlin a memorial for and Whereas more than 17,000 American Indian, were interned at Auschwitz; Roma victims of National Socialism. I also Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women

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