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90_SJ0024
LRB9005446KBkbA
1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Recent published reports have indicated that
3 before and during World War II money and assets taken from
4 Jewish captives of Nazi Germany were deposited into Swiss
5 bank accounts; and
6 WHEREAS, An attempt is being made by the Swiss government
7 and the banks of Switzerland to establish a foundation to
8 make amends for their country's dealings with Nazi Germany;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly welcomes the
11 establishment of a Humanitarian Fund for Holocaust Victims by
12 Switzerland's three largest banks. Their action represents a
13 hopeful sign of Swiss determination to resolve fully and
14 fairly the matter of missing Jewish assets deposited into
15 Swiss banks before and during World War II; and
16 WHEREAS, A full page advertisement in the Swiss press is
17 recent testimony to the wish of many citizens that their
18 nation move firmly in the direction of compensation. The ad,
19 a petition by more than one hundred Swiss academics and
20 artists demanding that Switzerland and its people acknowledge
21 their moral obligations toward Jewish groups, reportedly
22 generated an outpouring of support from Switzerland's leaders
23 to address the issue of public attitudes towards Jews, the
24 Holocaust, and the past in a serious way, including education
25 which raises issues concerning the moral dilemmas facing
26 Switzerland during and after the war; and
27 WHEREAS, Two commissions have been established by the
28 Swiss government to investigate Switzerland's wartime
29 dealings that can illuminate the process. The General
30 Assembly believes the establishment of these commissions
31 further reflects Swiss recognition of a moral obligation to
32 uncover the truth, especially in light of the advanced age of
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1 the Holocaust survivor population; therefore, be it
2 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
3 OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
4 CONCURRING HEREIN, that we call for the Swiss government to
5 make clear, unequivocal, and forceful statements to the Swiss
6 citizenry condemning any expressions of anti-Semitism in
7 Switzerland; and be it further
8 RESOLVED, That the General Assembly, along with the
9 United States government and the organized Jewish community,
10 welcomes the establishment of a Humanitarian Fund for
11 Holocaust Victims by Switzerland's three largest banks; and
12 be it further
13 RESOLVED, That the General Assembly joins with the United
14 States government and the organized Jewish community in a
15 call for a full and honest accounting concerning unclaimed
16 funds and for adherence by all to the highest ethical
17 standards in advancing a just and moral resolution that will
18 serve the interests of all parties involved; and be it
19 further
20 RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
21 presented to the Illinois Congressional delegation, the
22 United States Secretary of State, and the Counsel General of
23 Switzerland located in Chicago, Illinois.