North Miami-Dade News

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the S.91/H.R. 537 bill, known as the "Congressional Gold Medal Act for the Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust," following a favorable Senate vote in September.

Sponsored by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY), along with Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), this legislation awards more than 60 diplomats worldwide with the Congressional Gold Medal for their efforts to save Jews during the Holocaust.

The bill was approved with a veto-proof majority and now awaits President Biden's signature.

"During the brutality of the Holocaust, more than 60 brave diplomats risked their lives to save innocent Jews," said Representative María Elvira Salazar. "Both chambers of Congress sent a clear message to the White House that these diplomats deserve recognition for their heroism. The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust bill ensures we never forget these actions and the evil they fought against."

H.R. 537 awards the Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats from around the world who saved Jewish lives fleeing Nazi persecution through various means, including issuing passports and travel visas at great personal risk. These actions alone saved hundreds of thousands of Jewish lives. Since its introduction, nearly 300 legislators in the House and over 70 senators have supported it.

As chairwoman of a subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Salazar is a leading congressional figure in combating antisemitism globally and U.S.-Israel policy. She also leads efforts against antisemitism in Latin America, protects Israel from existential threats like Iran, replenishes Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system, combats Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) policies, strengthens U.S.-Israel security cooperation, and fights terrorist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

"I am pleased to see our bipartisan bill, the Congressional Gold Medal Act for Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust, pass with unanimous support," said Representative Ritchie Torres. "This legislation honors brave diplomats who risked their lives to save countless Jewish lives during the Holocaust. At a time when antisemitism is rising, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Jewish community and ensuring history's lessons are never forgotten."

"I applaud today's House vote to posthumously honor American and foreign diplomats who risked their lives and careers to help Jews fleeing Nazi tyranny during the Holocaust," said Senator Bill Hagerty. "As a U.S. senator and former ambassador to Japan, I am pleased that diplomats who went beyond official duties to save so many people are recognized for their courage during an unimaginable dark time."

"Brave diplomats from nations worldwide took initiative at great risk to save Jews in Nazi-occupied Europe," said Senator Tim Kaine. "The Congressional Gold Medal is a small gesture long overdue for honoring righteous actions in difficult times."

This will be Representative Salazar's eighth bill becoming law during her two terms in Congress.