Joe Crowley: “before I begin, I would first like to thank Congressman Lantos for taking the lead on this important Resolution. As a…”

“before I begin, I would first like to thank Congressman Lantos for taking the lead on this important Resolution. As a survivor of the horrors of the Nazi regime, he knows better than anyone on the International Relations Committee or in this Congress the dangers of complacency. Congressman Lantos knows that remaining silent when hate-mongers come to power is not an option. And I thank him again for his leadership and his dedication. Mr. Speaker, everyone in this Congress has heard the comments made by Jorg Haider and leaders of the Freedom Party. Comments praising Hitler's policies. Statements praising the Waffen S.S. Assertions consistently blaming problems in Austria, including low employment, high taxes and the spread of disease on immigrants. Mr. Haider's views are clear and his intentions are known. And his attempt to apologize each time he makes an offensive statement has grown as tiresome to me as his hateful statements. And although Mr. Haider has resigned his position, his party, the Freedom Party, remains in a coalition government in Austria with the People's Party. This must not be accepted.”