III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 361 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JULY 31, 2008 

Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Commemorating Irena Sendler, a woman whose bravery 

saved the lives of thousands during the Holocaust and 

remembering her legacy of courage, selflessness, and 

hope. 

Whereas on May 12, 2008, Irena Sendler, a living example 

of social justice, died at the age of 98; 

Whereas Irena Sendler repeatedly risked her own life to rescue over 2,500 Jewish children in Poland’s Warsaw ghetto from Nazi extermination during the Holocaust; 


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HCON 361 RFS 

Whereas inspired by her father, a physician who spent his career treating poor Jewish patients, Irena Sendler dedicated her life to others; 

Whereas Irena Sendler became an early activist at the start 

of World War II, heading the clandestine group Zegota 

and driving an underground movement that provided safe 

passage for Jews from the Warsaw ghetto, who were facing disease, execution, or deportation to concentration 

camps; 

Whereas Irena Sendler became one of Zegota’s most successful workers, taking charge of the children’s division and 

using her senior position with the city’s welfare department to gain access to and from the ghetto and build a 

network of allies to help ferry Jewish children from the 

Warsaw ghetto; 

Whereas Irena Sendler was arrested by the Gestapo on October 20, 1943, tortured, and sentenced to death by firing 

squad; 

Whereas Irena Sendler never revealed details of her contacts, 

escaped from Pawiak prison, and continued her invaluable work with Zegota; 

Whereas in 1965, Irena Sendler was recognized as ‘‘Righteous Among the Nations’’ by the Yad Vashem Holocaust 

memorial in Israel; 

Whereas in 2006, Irena Sendler was nominated for the Nobel 

Peace Prize; 

Whereas Irena Sendler was awarded the Order of the White 

Eagle, Poland’s highest civilian decoration; 

Whereas Irena Sendler’s life has been chronicled in the documentary film, ‘‘Tzedek: The Righteous’’ and ‘‘Life in a 

Jar’’, a play about her rescue efforts; 


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HCON 361 RFS 

Whereas Irena Sendler, a woman who risked everything for 

the lives of others and whose bravery is unimaginable to 

many of us, expressed guilt for not being able to do more 

for the Jewish people; and 

Whereas Americans, as well as the world community, are reminded not only of the horrible cruelty at the time of the 

Holocaust, but also the incredible difference one person 

can make by knowing Irena Sendler’s story: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) mourns the loss of Irena Sendler, a woman 

4 whose bravery and heroic efforts saved over 2,500 

5 Jewish children during the Holocaust; 

6 (2) pays its respect and extends its condolences 

7 to the Sendler family; 

8 (3) honors her legacy of courage, selflessness, 

9 and hope; and 

10 (4) remembers the life of Irena Sendler for her 

11 heroic efforts to save over 2,500 Jewish children 

12 during the Holocaust, and for her unwavering dedi13 cation to justice and human rights. 

Passed the House of Representatives July 30, 2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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