IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 89 

Supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference on Holocaust 

Era Assets. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 30, 2009 

Mr. WEXLER (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. GALLEGLY, Mr. HASTINGS of 

Florida, Mr. MCMAHON, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey, and Mr. WAXMAN) 

submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference 

on Holocaust Era Assets. 

Whereas the Government of the Czech Republic will host a 

Conference on Holocaust Era Assets in Prague from 

June 26, 2009, through June 30, 2009; 

Whereas the Prague Conference will facilitate a review of the 

1998 Washington Conference on Holocaust Era Assets, 

which had participation of 44 nations, 13 nongovernmental organizations, scholars, and Holocaust survivors; 

Whereas a high level United States delegation participated in 

the Washington Conference on Holocaust Era Assets led 

by Undersecretary of State Stuart Eizenstat, Nobel 

Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel, Federal Judge Abner Mikva, 

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•HCON 89 IH 

senior diplomats, and a bipartisan group of Members of 

Congress; 

Whereas then-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright delivered 

the key note address at the Washington Conference on 

Holocaust Era Assets, articulating the United States 

commitment to Holocaust survivors and urging conference participants to ‘‘chart a course for finishing the 

job of returning or providing compensation for stolen 

Holocaust assets to survivors and the families of Holocaust victims.’’; 

Whereas the Prague Conference is expected to take stock of 

issues agreed on at the Washington Conference, including 

financial assets, bank accounts, insurance issues, and 

other financial property; 

Whereas the Prague Conference is expected to include a special session on social programs for Holocaust survivors 

and other victims of Nazi atrocities; 

Whereas the Prague Conference is expected to include working groups on Holocaust education, remembrance and research, looted art, Judaica, Jewish cultural property, and 

immovable property, including both private, religious, and 

communal property; 

Whereas United States participation and leadership at the 

highest level is critically important to ensure a successful 

outcome of the Prague Conference; 

Whereas Congress supports further inclusion of Holocaust 

survivors and their advocates in the Prague Conference 

planning and proceedings; 

Whereas the United States strongly supports an immediate 

and just restitution or compensation of property illegally 

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•HCON 89 IH 

confiscated during the last century by Nazi and Communist regimes; 

Whereas many Holocaust survivors lack the means for even 

the most basic necessities, including proper housing and 

health care; 

Whereas the United States and the international community 

has a moral obligation to uphold and defend the plight 

and dignity of Holocaust survivors and to ensure their 

well-being; 

Whereas for the Prague Conference is a critical forum to effectively address the increasing economic, social, housing, 

and health care needs of Holocaust survivors in their 

waning years; 

Whereas President Barack Obama, during his visit to the 

Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Israel in July 2008, 

stated ‘‘Let our children come here and know this history 

so they can add their voices to proclaim ‘never again.’ 

And may we remember those who perished, not only as 

victims but also as individuals who hoped and loved and 

dreamed like us and who have become symbols of the 

human spirit.’’; and 

Whereas the Prague Conference may represent the last opportunity for the international community to address outstanding Holocaust-era issues: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) supports the goals and objectives of the 

4 2009 Prague Conference on Holocaust Era Assets; 

5 (2) applauds the Government of the Czech Re6 public for its decision to host the Prague Conference 

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•HCON 89 IH 

1 and its unwavering commitment to address out 

2 standing Holocaust-era issues; 

3 (3) expresses strong support for the decision to 

4 make the economic, social, housing, and health care 

5 needs of Holocaust survivors a major focus of the 

6 Prague Conference; 

7 (4) urges the countries in Central and Eastern 

8 Europe, which have not already done so, to return 

9 looted and confiscated properties to their rightful 

10 owners or, where restitution is not possible, pay eq11 uitable compensation to the rightful owners in ac12 cordance with principles of justice and in an expedi13 tious manner that is just, transparent, and fair; 

14 (5) calls on the President to send a high-level 

15 official, such as the Secretary of State, to represent 

16 the United States at the Prague Conference; and 

17 (6) urges other invited nations to participate at 

18 a similarly high level. 

Æ 

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