U.S. SENATE VOTES TO BESTOW CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL UPON RAOUL WALLENBERG
Jewish Federations Strongly Supported Honoring Wallenberg for Heroic Efforts during the Holocaust
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Celebration Act (H.R. 3001) in support of bestowing the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal upon Raoul Wallenberg for his heroic mission to save the lives of nearly 100,000 Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. With its passage in the House in April 2012 and now in the Senate, this Congressional approval comes in time to honor Wallenberg on the 100th anniversary of his birth in August.
Wallenberg, an honorary U.S. citizen and graduate of the University of Michigan, served as Sweden’s special envoy in Budapest during World War II – during which time he issued protective passports and sheltered Jews in buildings designated as Swedish territory. Many prominent American Jews, including the late Congressman Tom Lantos, credit their survival to Wallenberg’s actions.
“Raoul Wallenberg’s courageous actions were a shining example of selfless heroism at a time when others stood mute in the face of unimaginable horror,” said Kathy Manning, chair of the Board of Trustees of The Jewish Federations of North America. “That this legislation passed with such broad bipartisan support is a reflection of how deserving Raoul Wallenberg is of the Congressional Gold Medal.”
Together with other advocates including the Raoul Wallenberg Centennial Celebration Commission, Jewish Federations across the United States advocated in full force in support of this legislation, helping the effort to secure the co-sponsorship of 70 members of the U.S. Senate.
“By sacrificing his personal safety, and ultimately his life, to protect the lives of a generation of Jews, Raoul Wallenberg exhibited the kind of noble courage that we prize in America,” said William Daroff, vice president for public policy and director of the Washington office of The Jewish Federations of North America. “The Jewish community is grateful to Congress for permanently honoring a global hero.”
Other recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include: George Washington, Thomas Edison, Dr. Jonas Salk, Winston Churchill, Marian Anderson, Aaron Copland, Elie Wiesel, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa.
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