AJCommittee Welcomes Legislation To Establish U.S. Presidential Commission On Holocaust Assets

American Jewish Committee
Wednesday, 1 April 1998

The American Jewish Committee welcomes the bill introduced today in Congress by Senators Alfonse D'Amato and Carol Moseley-Braun to establish a U.S. Presidential Commission on Holocaust assets.

This important legislation would provide a swift, honest and comprehensive look at the disposition of dormant bank accounts of Holocaust victims in U.S. banks, as well as religious and cultural artifacts, property, insurance policies, looted gold shipped to the U.S. and other assets seized by the U.S. government after the war.

Robert S. Rifkind, AJC President, commented: "The American Jewish Committee pledges its full support and cooperation to the critical work this Commission would undertake. The AJC has been tireless in seeking to set straight the historical record pertaining not only to Germany but also the other countries caught up in the events unleashed by World War II, including their relations with the Nazi regime. Moreover, we have been a determined voice in the fight to secure justice for Holocaust survivors and their heirs around the world. It will be to the great credit of America, if this bill is passed, that a Presidential Commission will scrutinize our own record on important aspects of the great human tragedy of the 20th Century."

For more information, or to contact American Jewish Committee, see their website at: www.ajc.org