28. Raoul Wallenberg Day

Public Law 101-63 [S.J. Res. 110], 103 Stat. 163, approved July 27, 1989

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating October 5, 1989, as "Raoul Wallenberg Day". Whereas In January 1944, the Untied States War Refugee Board asked Sweden to send a representative to Hungary to organize rescue operations for the Hungarian Jewish community which was marked for liquidation by the Nazis;

Whereas the Swedish representative, Raoul Wallenberg, through a combination of what has been described as "bluff, heroism, and a contempt for convention" waged a bold campaign in Hungary to thwart the "final solution";

Whereas in the 6 months he was in Budapest, Raoul Wallenberg managed to, directly and indirectly, save the lives of some 100,000 men, women, and children; Whereas Raoul Wallenberg risked his own life countless times during his work, dragging Jews from trains bound for gas chambers, bringing food and blankets to those on death marches, and unflinchingly challenging Nazi authorities;

Whereas Raoul Wallenberg was taken into Soviet "protective custody" on January 13, 1945, in violation of international standards of diplomatic immunity;

Whereas Soviet officials originally denied having custody of Wallenberg, but subsequently stated that a prisoner named "Wallenberg" died in a Soviet prison on July 17, 1947;

Whereas eyewitness accounts over the years, and as recently as December 1986, indicate that Raoul Wallenberg may indeed still be alive and imprisoned in the Soviet Union;

Whereas the Soviet Union has never produced a death certificate or the remains of Raoul Wallenberg to prove that he died; Whereas the Soviet Union, despite numerous attempts by Swedish and American officials, refuses to look into the reports that Raoul Wallenberg is still alive;

Whereas just as Raoul Wallenberg did not forget the Jewish people when it seemed that the rest of the world had forgotten, Raoul Wallenberg and all that he did for the cause of humanity must never be forgotten; and

Whereas on October 5, 1981, the President of the United States signed into law a proclamation making Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 5, 1989, is designated as "Raoul Wallenberg Recognition Day", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such a day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

29. Polish American Heritage Month

Public Law 101-64 [S.J. Res. 93], 103 Stat. 165, approved July 27, 1989

JOINT RESOLUTION To designate October 1989 as "Polish American Heritage Month".

Whereas the first Polish immigrants to North America were among the settlers of Jamestown, Virginia, in the 17th century; Whereas Kazimierz Pulaski, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, and other Poles came to the British colonies in America to fight in the Revolutionary War and to risk their lives and fortunes for the creation of the Untied States; Whereas Poles and Americans of Polish descent have distinguished themselves by contributing to the development of arts, sciences, government, military service, athletics, and education in the United States;

Whereas the Polish Constitution of May 3, 1791, was directly modeled on the Constitution of the United States, is recognized as the second written constitution in history, and is revered by Poles and Americans of Polish descent;

Whereas Poles and Americans of Polish descent take great pride in and honor the achievements of the greatest son of Poland, His Holiness Pope John Paul II;

Whereas Poles and Americans of Polish descent take great pride in and honor the achievements of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Lech Walesa, the founder of the Solidarity Labor Federation;

Whereas the Solidarity Labor Federation was founded in August 1980 and is continuing its struggle against oppression by the Government of Poland; and Whereas the Polish American Congress is observing its 45th anniversary this years and is celebrating October 1989 as Polish American Heritage Month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 1989 is designated as "Polish American Heritage Month", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe that month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

30. National POW/MIA Recognition Day

Public Law 101-65 [S.J. Res. 129], 103 Stat. 166, approved July 28, 1989

JOINT RESOLUTION To provide for the designation of September 15, 1989, as "National POW/MIA Recognition Day".

Whereas The United States has fought in many wars;

Whereas thousands of Americans who served in those wars were captured by the enemy or listed as missing in action;

Whereas many American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal and inhuman treatment by their enemy captors in violation of international codes and customs for the treatment of prisoners of war, and many such prisoners of war died from such treatment; Whereas the sacrifices of Americans still missing and unaccounted for and their families are deserving of national recognition and support for continued priority efforts to determine the fate of those missing Americans: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That September 15, 1989, is hereby designated as "National POW/MIA Recognition Day". The President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to recognize that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

31. World War II Remembrance Week

Public Law 101-83 [H.J. Res. 221], 103 Stat. 589, approved August 14, 1989 JOINT RESOLUTION To designated the week beginning September 1, 1989, as "World War II Remembrance Week".

Whereas on September 1, 1939, troops of the German Third Reich launched a surprise attack upon Poland and began the military actions that led to World War II;

Whereas the Governments of Japan, Italy, and other states subsequently joined Nazi Germany in attacking their neighboring states to bolster their national pride and achieve imperialistic economic advantages;

Whereas the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and many other nations declared war upon the aggressors;

Whereas as a result of the six-year conflict that ensued over fifteen million combatants were killed and over twenty-four million noncombatants died;

Whereas the warring nations suffered nearly $1,000,000,000,000 in costs directly related to the conduct of the war, and the severe disruption and dislocation of the conflict resulted in losses totaling many times that amount to their economies; Whereas as a result of the vicious racist policies of the Government of Nazi Germany and some of its allies, millions of innocent men, women and children were murdered, including some six million Jews; Whereas as a result of wartime fears and prejudices, millions of innocent individuals were needlessly displaced, interned, harassed, placed under suspicion, and deprived of their property by nations on both sides of the conflict; and

Whereas as a consequence of technological innovations which came about as a result of this war, devastating conventional weapons and the threat of nuclear annihilation directly affect growing segments of civilian populations: Now therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, the week beginning September 1, 1989, is designated "World War II Remembrance Week" and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe the period with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

32. German-American Day

Public Law 101-107 [S.J. Res. 118], 103 Stat. 679, approved October 3, 1989

JOINT RESOLUTION Designating October 6, 1989, as "German-American Day". Whereas the Senate of the United States unanimously passed joint resolutions designating October 6, 1987, and October 6, 1988, as "German-American Day";

Whereas President Ronald W. Reagan issued proclamations in 1987 and 1988 acknowledging "German-American Day" and held formal ceremonies in the Rose Garden and the Roosevelt Room of the White House;

Whereas the work and contributions to the development and culture of the United States by German-Americans, since the arrival of the first German immigrants in the United States on October 6, 1683, merits a tribute to the achievements of GermanAmericans;

Whereas German-Americans, as in the past, continue to contribute to the development, life and cultural heritage of the United States, and will work for and will support the democratic principles of the Government of the United States and the freedom of all people;

Whereas such contributions should be recognized and celebrated in 1989; and

Whereas German-Americans are interested in having "GermanAmerican Day" established as an annual event on October 6: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That October 6, 1989, is designated as "German-American Day", and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.