Nashville Standard

United States Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have commended the Senate for passing their Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91). This bill aims to honor 60 World War II-era diplomats from various countries who risked their careers and lives to save others during the Holocaust. The legislation seeks to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal collectively to these diplomats who took heroic actions, such as issuing passports and travel visas, and setting up safehouses to protect Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.

A version of this legislation was previously passed by the House of Representatives on June 11, 2024, led by Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15).

"As U.S. Senator and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, I applaud Senate passage of this bipartisan legislation to posthumously honor U.S. and foreign diplomats who risked their lives and careers to assist Jews who were fleeing Nazi tyranny during the Holocaust," said Senator Hagerty. "During a time of unimaginable darkness in the world, these diplomats went above their official obligations and beyond the call of duty to save the lives of so many. Current and future generations of diplomats—and everyone else who hears their stories—can look to these men and women of courage and be inspired by their lives of heroism and sacrifice."

"These courageous diplomats from nations across the world took initiative and serious risks to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe. The Congressional Gold Medal is a small overdue gesture to honor righteous deeds in the most difficult times," said Senator Kaine. "As living memory of the Holocaust fades with the passing of 80 years, it will soon be up to us to remember humanity’s capacity for evil alongside our capacity for empathy and courage. Senator Hagerty and I aren’t Jewish, but we led this legislation because the duty of remembrance isn’t on the Jewish community alone; it is on all of us."