Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 6130, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act. This legislation will help restore artwork and heritage stolen by the Nazis during the Holocaust to the rightful owners or heirs. I was proud to join Chairman Goodlatte in introducing this bill, and I appreciate his efforts in moving it forward. In addition to their crimes of genocide and mass murder, the Nazis engaged in comprehensive, systemic theft of art and property mostly, but not entirely, from Jews all across Europe. The scope of their theft was massive, and the damaging effects remain with us today, with victims still seeking justice and some form of compensation. Nearly 20 years ago, in 1998, the United States brought together 44 nations to produce a set of principles on Nazi confiscated art. They agreed that steps should be taken expeditiously to achieve a just and fair solution to the outstanding claims. In 2009, the United States joined 45 other nations in Prague to issue what was known as the Terezin Declaration, which reaffirmed these principles. Unfortunately, today, 71 years after the defeat of the Nazis and the liberation of Europe, many American victims are still unable to pursue their claims in court because of restrictive statutes of limitations in the States.…”