The main objective of this act is to posthumously award these diplomats a Congressional Gold Medal, symbolic of their extraordinary courage in saving Jewish lives during World War II. These individuals hailed from diverse nations, including Sweden, Peru, the United States, Switzerland, and many more. Their heroic deeds came at a time when Adolf Hitler and the Nazis unleashed unprecedented chaos and brutality, which led to the mass murder of Europe’s Jewish population.
Congress meticulously outlined in the findings the sequence of events that led to this commendable act. Following Hitler’s invasion of Europe on September 1, 1939, the Jewish community found itself in dire straits, desperately seeking means to escape Nazi tyranny. Amid the harrowing scenario of battlefronts and concentration camps, this determined group of diplomats stepped forward, resorting to all possible means at their disposal to facilitate the escape of Jews. Their acts ranged from issuing passports and travel visas contrary to their own governments’ directives to setting up safehouses and underground routes, often engaging directly with Nazi authorities, facing immense personal risks.
The legislation underscores that these diplomats had full awareness of the hazards they faced, including potential expulsion by the Nazis. Despite clear prohibitions from their respective home countries, driven by an unyielding humanitarian impulse, they advanced efforts to save those in peril, including children. By risking their careers and lives, these diplomats etched their names in the annals of courage and sacrifice, providing future generations a palpable example of valor and selflessness.
In practical terms, the bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the design and striking of a gold medal. This medal, adorned with suitable emblems and inscriptions, shall be presented to the eldest next of kin of the 60 diplomats. These representatives, along with senior officials from the diplomats’ countries and co-chairs of the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Committee, will collectively receive the medal.
Following its presentation, the gold medal will be entrusted to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for display and research purposes. Congress expresses a preference that the medal be exhibited in other appropriate locations associated with Holocaust remembrance to ensure a widespread acknowledgment of the diplomats’ extraordinary contributions.
To make these medals more accessible to the public, the act allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates. These replicas will be available for purchase at a price covering the various costs of production, including labor, materials, and overhead expenses, with proceeds flowing back to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
Additionally, the act designates the struck medals as national medals, affirming their significance under U.S. law. They will also classify these items as numismatic, ensuring they are regarded with the historical and collectible value they merit.
This legislative endeavor is not just a commemorative exercise. It taps into the broader conversation about acknowledging and immortalizing historical acts of bravery that had far-reaching consequences. The diplomatic corps of that era demonstrated an indomitable spirit that defied political constraints and transcended borders to uphold human dignity and rights against overwhelming odds.
The next step for this bill, having already passed the House of Representatives, involves consideration by the Senate and subsequent approval by the President. Following these procedural milestones, the provisions for the design, striking, and presentation of the medals will be implemented, culminating in a formal ceremony to acknowledge these unsung heroes.
Organizations related to Holocaust remembrance, global diplomatic bodies, and entities focused on human rights will be particularly affected by this act. These groups will gain new historical insights, educational materials, and inspirational stories that can be leveraged to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of humanitarian efforts during crises.
Overall, this legislation serves as a poignant reminder of the power of individual and collective action in the face of tyranny, enshrining the narratives of these diplomats as exemplary beacons of courage and justice.
