Honoring the Life and Work of Simon Wiesenthal

Floor Speech

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Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Concurrent Resolution 248, honoring the life and achievements of Mr. Simon Wiesenthal, the world's most successful Nazi-hunter and advocate for religious tolerance.

In the history of mankind, few events are as deplorable, unconscionable, and unrepeatable as the Holocaust. During this period, Nazi Germany imprisoned, enslaved, tortured, and eventually murdered 11 million Jews, Gypsies, homosexuals, political dissidents, and others. Mr. Simon Wiesenthal, a Polish Jew, was one of those individuals imprisoned by the Nazis. After being taken from his home and his wife Cyla, Wiesenthal successfully escaped one concentration camp, only to be recaptured. Suspecting his wife was dead, and thousands of people dying beside him, Wiesenthal courageously survived.

After the United States and our allies defeated the Axis Powers in World War II, many thousands of Nazis fled Germany, knowing full well that they would face justice for their unthinkable crimes if they remained. Many Nazis established new identities and lived their lives with a secret so hideous they told no one.

Upon liberation by the Allies, Wiesenthal reunited with Cyla and regained his health, and immediately dedicated his efforts to bringing Nazi war-criminals to justice. He was instrumental in aiding the U.S. Army's prosecution of many prominent Nazi criminals at the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany. To prosecute the countless Nazis who had evaded the law, Wiesenthal, along with several other Holocaust survivors, founded the Jewish Documentation Center in Austria to collect and prepare evidence for future trials. Over the years, Wiesenthal honed his expertise in researching, tracking, and ultimately capturing Nazi criminals scattered throughout the world so they could face trial.

Though the world community had collaborated to protect against future genocides, Wiesenthal personally strived to meet this goal. As one of the foremost speakers on the subject, he educated people around the world about the Holocaust and the prevention of genocide and intolerance. In 1977, the Simon Wiesenthal Center was established to further pursue the prosecution of hiding Nazi criminals, monitor anti-Semitism, and promote religious and racial tolerance.

On September 20, 2005, Simon Wiesenthal passed away of natural causes. He had led an extraordinary life as a Holocaust survivor, educator, political activist, and humanitarian. By the time he retired in 2003, he and his colleagues had brought over one thousand hiding Nazi war criminals to justice. For decades, these Nazis thought they were above the law and would avoid trial. Wiesenthal and others proved that no crime so horrific goes unpunished, and there is no escaping their responsibility. Wiesenthal also succeeded in keeping the memories of the Holocaust alive and teaching others to embrace diversity, so future genocides may be prevented.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that Simon Wiesenthal embodies the ideals that are so important to the United States: a commitment to justice, a common good based on tolerance, and ensuring a secure future by educating our youth. For his achievements, the United States has already awarded Wiesenthal the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, and many other honors. This resolution reinforces the United States' utmost respect and admiration for Simon Wiesenthal, who bravely endured through history's darkest hour to give justice to those who perished in the Holocaust. Though Simon Wiesenthal has passed on, the United States must continue to pursue the noble endeavors he championed, and give hope to victims of injustice of the past, present, and future.

I would like to thank Representative HENRY WAXMAN for introducing this resolution. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 248 and always remember and honor Simon Wiesenthal.

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