JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1

 

A Joint Resolution memorializing the government of Switzerland to promptly and fully disclose all information regarding funds deposited in Swiss banks by Jewish Holocaust victims, calling for the return of these assets to Holocaust survivors and their heirs, and commending the efforts of the United States Senate Banking Committee.

 

Whereas, Because of the efforts of the United States Senate Banking Committee, it has come to the world's attention that, in the words of Senator Alfonse D'Amato, Switzerland "blatantly benefitted from the Holocaust"; and

Whereas, Switzerland benefitted by using the funds of European Jews deposited in Swiss banks during World War II to compensate Swiss citizens for property expropriated by former communist regimes; and

Whereas, In a 1949 secret agreement with Poland, Switzerland used the assets of Polish Jews to compensate Swiss citizens for the nationalization of their property by that country; and

Whereas, The Swiss government later entered into similar agreements with the nations of Hungary and Czechoslovakia; and

Whereas, Swiss banks have refused to help Jewish Holocaust survivors locate bank accounts, demanding that they produce death certificates for relatives who perished in Nazi concentration camps; and

Whereas, The Swiss government has refused to deal with these issues and is attempting to stall justice by establishing a commission that will take five years to report its findings on assets stolen by Germans and deposited in Switzerland during World War II; and

Whereas, It is time for complete disclosure by the Swiss government of all funds deposited in Swiss banks by Jewish Holocaust victims and for a full accounting of all unclaimed assets of these victims; now, therefore,


    Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:


    1. The government of Switzerland is memorialized to promptly and fully disclose all information regarding funds deposited in Swiss banks by Jewish Holocaust victims and to make a full accounting of all unclaimed assets of these victims.


    2. The Swiss government is called upon to expedite the prompt return of these assets to Holocaust survivors and their heirs.

 

    3. The United States Senate Banking Committee is commended for its efforts in bringing this dark chapter in Swiss history to light and in attempting to help Holocaust survivors and their families.


    4. Duly authenticated copies of this joint resolution shall be transmitted to the Swiss Ambassador to the United States and to the Chairman and members of the United States Senate Banking Committee.


    5. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately .


    Approved March 7, 1997.