Political Quotes

“I rise today on a matter that has become very close to my heart; and that is, honoring Raoul Wallenberg with the Nation's highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. I urge my colleagues to support conferring this honor on Mr. Wallenberg, and I am grateful that we already have 71 of my colleagues from every part of the political spectrum supporting our efforts. During World War II, Raoul Wallenberg chose to leave his life of ease in Sweden for a diplomatic assignment in Hungary, which was then an ally in Nazi Germany. His assignment was the result of a recruitment effort by the United States War Refugee Board and the Office of Strategic Services to try to save the remaining Hungarian Jews from the Holocaust. In his effort, Mr. Wallenberg succeeded beyond anyone's expectations. He provided Swedish passports for thousands of Jews, which literally made the difference between life and death. Mr. Wallenberg rented 32 buildings in Budapest, raised a Swedish flag, and declared them protected with diplomatic immunity. Within these buildings, he housed, protected, and saved almost 10,000 precious lives. Mr. Wallenberg's bravery and his will to act are shining examples to us all. According to eyewitnesses, Mr. Wallenberg once climbed onto the roof of a train with Jews departing for Auschwitz, handing them protective passes through the doors. Amid threats from the guards, he then marched dozens of those with passes to safety in a diplomatic convoy.…”