Thomas Foley: “during the Second World War and the years preceding it, life insurance companies throughout Europe sold numerous…”

“during the Second World War and the years preceding it, life insurance companies throughout Europe sold numerous policies to Jews and other minorities worth an average of 400 deutsche marks. As the Nazis seized power and began their anti-Semitic practices, laws were passed to deprive the Jews of their property. In fact a 1933 German law confiscated the property of Jews who emigrated to escape the Nazis. But with sickening irony, Jews who were forcibly deported to the Nazi death camps were considered emigrants, and their property, including any life insurance policies, was confiscated according to German law. At the war's end death camp survivors and the heirs of those who perished attempted to collect on the life insurance policies that were due. But because many policies had been paid out to the Nazis or because of the companies' unwillingness to pay out the claims, there was no money for the rightful heirs. Over the years much of the insurance companies' collusion with the Nazis became evident. Some companies attempted a small amount of restitution, but the vast amount of money owed the Holocaust survivors has never been paid. I have crafted a bill to help these Holocaust victims get restitution.”