Rep. Mike Ferguson
October 2, 2008
Almost a year after its introduction, a bipartisan resolution condemning the Lithuanian government’s failure to protect a historic Jewish cemetery in Vilnius was approved by the House of Representatives on Sept. 25.
The resolution was authored by Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-Dist. 7). He said the measure would bring increased international attention to the government’s failure to stop construction of condominiums on the grounds of the Snipiskes cemetery.
Scholars say the site is the first Jewish cemetery in Vilnius and dates back to the 15th century. About 50,000 Jews were buried there before it was closed in the early 1800s. The work on the condominiums began three years ago, and — despite an outcry by international Jewish groups and the Unites States government — it has almost reached completion.
“We’ve repeatedly asked the Lithuanians to stop construction until the cemetery’s boundary disputes could be resolved,” Ferguson said. “Yet at every turn, the Lithuanian government has failed to be responsive and protect this sacred ground. It’s my hope that this resolution will shine much-needed light on the Lithuanian government’s failure to act and ultimately motivate them to do the right thing.”
Ferguson, who is retiring from Congress at the end of the current term, said the Lithuanian government’s failure to halt the construction project violates a 2002 bilateral agreement between Lithuania and the United States on the protection and preservation of certain cultural properties, including cemeteries, in both countries.
The measure, which Ferguson introduced last November, refers to the United States’ commitment to preserve religious and culture sites at home and abroad. It condemns instances where such sites are desecrated and states that cemeteries are sacred sites and are to remain undisturbed in perpetuity.
The resolution won House approval 414-1 on Sept. 25. The sole vote against was cast by Rep. Dr. Ron Paul (R-Texas) who in the past has expressed his opposition to what he regards as excessive government intervention in domestic or foreign matters.
He coauthored the measure with Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY); it was cosponsored by 58 members of Congress. The legislation also won the endorsement of the American Jewish Committee.
Ferguson has since written letters and held numerous meetings with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, State Department officials, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas, Lithuania Ambassador to the United States Audrius Bruzga, and scores of other international historic preservation groups.
--TOP--
Comment: comments@njjewishnews.com
