WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today hailed the passage of H.R. 2401, the U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Extension Act.  

Last year Congress passed legislation creating the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States.  HR 2401 will ensure that the President's Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States is given the time and resources necessary to complete its work by granting a one year extension.

The creation of the Commission made clear the Congress' belief that knowledge of the whereabouts of Holocaust assets in the possession of the U.S. Government should be documented and those assets should be dealt with in a just and prompt manner.  This one-year extension will facilitate a thorough and fair assessment of the United States' efforts to return Holocaust era assets of which the government is in possession. 

"At a time when Holocaust survivors are aging and the U.S. Government is engaged in reparations negotiations on several fronts, we should certainly remain committed to a timely and thorough resolution of Holocaust assets issues in which the U.S. Government may be involved," Schakowsky said.

"While we are actively pursuing reparations internationally on behalf of Holocaust victims and survivors, we also need to look carefully at the role of the United States.  Passage of HR 2401, and the subsequent extension of the President's Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States, will allow the U.S. to continue to play a leadership role.  Hopefully, in the year to come we will witness some measure of justice for Holocaust survivors and family members of Holocaust victims," Schakowsky added.