A joint resolution proclaiming Raoul Wallenberg to be an honorary citizen of the United States, and requesting the President to ascertain from the Soviet Union the whereabouts of Raoul Wallenberg and to secure his return to freedom.
PL 97-54 (S.J.Res.65), enacted 10/05/1981

PUBLIC LAW 97-54—OCT. 5, 1981 
95 STAT. 971 
Public Law 97-54 
97th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Proclaiming Raoul Wallenberg to be an honorary citizen of the United States, and 
Oct. 5, 1981 
requesting the President to ascertain from the Soviet Union the whereabouts of 
[S.J. Res. 65] 
Raoul Wallenberg and to secure his return to freedom. 
Whereas the United States has conferred honorary citizenship on 
only one occasion in its more than two hundred years, and 
honorary citizenship is and should remain an extraordinary 
honor not lightly conferred nor frequently granted; 
Whereas durinjg World War II the United States was at war with 
Hungary,'and had no diplomatic relations with that country; 
Whereas in 1944 the United States Government through Secretary 
of State Cordell Hull requested the cooperation of Sweden, as 
a neutral nation, in protecting the lives of Hungarian Jews 
facing extermination at the hands of the Nazis; 
Whereas Raoul Wallenberg agreed to act at the behest of the 
United States in Hungary, and went to Hungary in the 
summer of 1944 as Secretary of the Swedish Legation; 
Whereas Raoul Wallenberg, with extraordinary courage and with 
total disregard for the constant danger to himself, saved the 
lives of almost one hundred thousand innocent men, women, 
and children; 
Whereas Raoul Wallenberg, with funds and directives supplied by 
the United States, provided food, shelter, and medical care to 
those whom he had rescued; 
Whereas the Soviet Union, in violation of Wallenberg's Swedish 
diplomatic immunity and of international law, seized him on 
January 17, 1945, with no explanation ever given for his 
detention and subsequent imprisonment; 
Whereas Raoul Wallenberg has been a prisoner in the Soviet 
Union since 1945; 
Whereas reports from former prisoners in the Soviet Union, as 
recent as January 1981, suggest that Raoul Wallenberg is 
alive; 
Whereas history has revealed that heroic acts of salvation were 
tragically rare during the massacre of millions of innocent 
human beings during World War II; and 
Whereas the significance of this symbol of man's concern for his 
fellow man has been tainted by the wall of silence that sur-
rounds the fate of Wallenberg: Now, therefore, be it 
95 STAT. 972 
PUBLIC LAW 97-54—OCT. 5, 1981 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
Raoui 
States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
S r S v u's 
SECTION 1. Raoul Wallenberg is proclaimed to be an honorary 
citizenship. 
citizen of the United States of America. 
SEC. 2. The President is requested to take all possible steps to 
ascertain from the Soviet Union the whereabouts of Raoul Wallen-
berg and to secure his return to freedom. 
Approved October 5, 1981. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 65 (H.J. Res. 220): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 97-152, pt. 1, accompanying H.J. Res. 220 (Comm. on Foreign 
Affairs). 
SENATE REPORT No. 97-169 (Comm. on Foreign Relations) and (Comm. on the 
Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 127 (1981): 
Aug. 3, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 22, H.J. Res. 220 considered and passed House; proceedings vacated and 
S.J. Res. 65 passed in lieu. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 17, No. 41 (1981): 
Oct. 5, Presidential statement.