On Friday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives joined the Senate and unanimously passed their resolution (H. Con. Res. 89) supporting the goals of the Prague Conference. The resolution's sponsor was Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL), joined by 28 co-sponsors. Wexler will be in attendance in Prague on Sunday.
Wexler issued the following statement:
"Passage of this resolution sends an unequivocal message that Congress and the American people strongly support the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference. It is imperative that the United States and Prague Conference participants resolve outstanding issues, including implementing property restitution and or compensation legislation, and make certain that growing Survivor healthcare and social needs are met as they age."
Wexler's colleague, Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), added the following statement in the Congressional Record:
"While it is largely unspoken, many Holocaust survivors lack the means for even the most basic necessities, including proper housing and health care. We have a moral obligation to uphold and defend the plight and dignity of Holocaust survivors and to ensure their well-being. 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...I express strong support for the decision to make the economic, social, housing, and health care needs of Holocaust survivors a major focus of the Prague Conference. Finally, this Resolution urges the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, which have not already done so, to return looted and confiscated properties to their rightful owners or, where restitution is not possible, pay equitable compensation to the rightful owners in accordance with principles of justice and in an expeditious manner that is just, transparent, and fair."
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