Rep. Robert Wexler's Address in Prague

Here is the text of Congressman Robert Wexler's speech at the Prague Conference on Holocaust Era Assets on June 29, 2009:

It is an extraordinary honor to be here, as a member of the American delegation to the Holocaust Era Assets Conference in Prague, with so many distinguished delegations, representatives of non-governmental organizations, and Holocaust Survivors and their representative organizations.

I want to especially thank the Czech government for hosting this Conference and raise the extraordinary efforts of the Friends of the Chair, the advisory board, working groups, Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, Ambassador J. Christian Kennedy, and countless others who have worked tirelessly over the past year to ensure the success of this Conference and finalize the Terezin Declaration -- in the noble pursuit of justice for Holocaust survivors.

Sixty years after the end of one of the darkest periods in history, it is clear there will never be perfect justice for victims of Nazi crimes, it is the moral obligation of the international community to continue to address outstanding Holocaust-era issues, including addressing welfare needs of Survivors, opening archives, expanding the reach of Holocaust education, protecting Judaica and Jewish Cultural Property, and ensuring that victims receive restitution or compensation for immovable property and Nazi confiscated or looted art.

Since the end of World War II, a concerted effort has been undertaken at the governmental and non-governmental levels to assist victims of Nazi atrocities. This process has been painstakingly difficult with many obstacles and setbacks. Despite courageous individuals, governments, and dedicated organizations – fighting to ensure a measure of justice for SHOAH victims – we are here today in Prague, 10 years after the Washington Conference on Holocaust Era Assets, to again address outstanding Holocaust-era issues.

It is self-evident that the international community has a moral responsibility to the victims of the Holocaust and to seek justice for those individuals who survived the SHOAH.

What primarily motivated me to participate in this Conference is the opportunity to again be an advocate for the needs of Holocaust Survivors in South Florida. I am particularly humbled to be in Prague, participating at this Conference with Alex Moskovic, a Survivor from South Florida and a leading member of the Holocaust Survivors' Foundation, who has testified before the U.S. Congress and is well-respected in Washington.

In October 2007, Alex, who is the only one of 41 family members to survive Auschwitz-Birkenau and Buchenwald, emotionally testified before the Europe subcommittee about the grave plight of aging survivors in the United States, including many that live below the poverty level and lack proper medical care. I was shocked by his stark description of the situation facing many survivors, in their advanced age, which is simply unacceptable and must be addressed.

Fortunately, the Terezin Declaration recognizes, what Alex and countless others have advocated for some time, the importance of addressing the welfare of Survivors and victims of Nazi persecution. The Declaration states that “it is unacceptable that those who suffered so greatly…should live under such circumstances at the end.”

While the Prague Conference and the Terezin Declaration clearly raise awareness and offer rhetorical support for addressing Holocaust survivors’ needs, it is essential that we act over the coming months and years to ensure that survivors, who endured immeasurable suffering and trauma and have special medical and social needs, are properly provided for by the international community.

I want to offer my support for the establishment of the European SHOAH Legacy Institute in Terezin. As envisioned, the Terezin Institute will follow-up on the work completed at the Prague Conference, breathe life into the Terezin Declaration, and serve as a central clearinghouse for Survivors, NGO’s, and governments as they determine the best methods and practices to assist needy Survivors.

The Terezin Institute will also focus on the restitution or compensation of immovable property. While many European nations have sought to resolve the complex problem of illegally confiscated private and communal property, there are governments which have made numerous promises but have not implemented legislation to provide compensation or restitution to victims of confiscated property or their heirs. Now is the time for these nations to follow the positive examples of their neighbors, and take bold steps toward enacting comprehensive property restitution or compensation legislation.

Again, I want to thank the Czech government and Conference organizers for giving me the opportunity to address this distinguished audience. I look forward to working with all of the conference participants in the coming months to implement the Prague Declaration and assist needy survivors in America and across the globe.