On the recordMay 19, 2014
I have been looking forward to this day ever since I first learned about the greatest untold story of World War II, and that was 8 years ago. For me, my journey with the Monuments Men began at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2006 when I met Robert Edsel, who had just published his first book, ``Rescuing Da Vinci,'' and who later wrote ``The Monuments Men: Allied Heros, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History.'' It was that evening when I realized how critical these men and women were in preserving European cultural history and how remarkable their task was during the Second World War. While death and destruction surrounded them, their mission was the complete opposite: to protect cultural treasures so far as war allowed. This special military unit was tasked with helping to locate works of art confiscated by the Nazis and return them to their rightful owners. The Monuments Men and women were able to locate, preserve, and return almost 5 million cultural items, including many of the world's greatest works of art. Today, there are only six surviving members--five men and one woman-- of the Monuments Men. As Memorial Day approaches, I believe the veterans who participated in these daring missions are certainly worthy and deserving of the recognition of Congress' highest expression of appreciation. Mr.…
