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Issue 18, May 5, 2004:
Congressional Honor to
Norwegians on Capitol Hill
More than one hundred distinguished
guests took part in a ceremony in the Senate last week, honoring former
U.N. Secretary-General Trygve Lie and Reverend Hans Christen Mamen for
helping to save the lives of Jews during WWII.
By ESPEN TJERSLAND
Washington D.C.
"This
is a great honor for me, but I am just one of many persons who helped
the Jews during the war," Reverend Hans Christen Mamen, 85, said,
when he received a congressional record statement from Congressman Tom
Lantos (D-CA).
The event took place in the Russel Senate office building on Capitol Hill
on Thursday, April 22, just down the hall from presidential candidate
John F. Kerry’s office.
Border Guide
Mamen was recognized for his contributions to saving Jewish lives
as a border guide between Norway and Sweden during WWII.
"Mamen is an extraordinary and remarkable individual, who turned
85 on April 20th, and whose humanity and unselfishness saved Jews during
the Nazi occupation of Norway during WWII. Risking his own life, Reverend
Mamen guided Jews and other refugees into safety to Sweden," Congressman
Lantos said in his speech.
Mamen guided 25 Jews into neutral Sweden. He was only 23-years old when
he carried a small Jewish boy across the border in his backpack. Germans
were lurking in the woods, and the boy was very afraid and cried. "I
told him to be quiet so he didn’t wake the birds. I couldn’t
tell him about the Germans," Mamen recalled.
Last week Mammen celebrated his 85 birthday at the residence of Norwegian
Ambassador Knut Vollebæk, along with Faye Berman Speert, sister
of the Jewish boy Mamen saved nearly 60 years ago.
"It was great to celebrate my birthday at the Ambassador’s house.
It was a very special night," Mamen said. He has contributed to more
than 40 books and hundreds of articles about his firsthand knowledge and
experiences during the war.
Congressman Lantos has a close relationship with Scandinavia, and was
a personal friend of Trygve Lie. Lie was also awarded with a congressional
record statement for his strong involvement in the United Nations, and
his international humanitarian effort.
Guri Lie Zeckendorf received the honor on behalf of her father. "I
am very proud, and I think he deserves this," she said.
Norway’s Minister of International Development, Hilde Frafjord Johnson,
was also present at the event, along with Ambassador Knut Vollebæk.
In her speech she honored both Trygve Lie and Hans Christen Mamen for
their courage and compassion, and reminded the audience of the Jewish
history in Norway.
"We are also here today to commemorate the history of Jewish Life
in Norway, which goes back more than 150 years. It is a history that holds
both triumph and tragedy, a history that has not been shared well enough
or widely enough. The Jewish community in Norway has always been small,
but many of its members have played a prominent role in Norwegian society."
Congressman Tom Lantos also recognized Rabbi of Norway Michael Melchior,
currently a member of Israel’s Knesset, with a congressional record.
Jewish Life Exhibit
In addition to the congressional honors, a reception for the exhibition
"Jewish Life and Culture in Norway 1851 - 1945: Wergeland’s
Legacy", also took place on Capitol Hill on Thursday, April 22.
This exhibition was officially opened at the Scandinavia House in New
York in January last year, and has since traveled around the U.S.
The exhibition was presented by the Norwegian Embassy in cooperation with
Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Congressman Tom Lantos.
The exhibit also reflects the fact that Norway is the first European nation
to complete a restitution process and compensate Jews for their loss and
suffering during the war. Part of the recent grant of 64 million dollars
by Stortinget, the Norwegian parliament, is being spent on the promotion
of Jewish culture and Jewish presence in Norway. The grant also establishes
a fund, chaired by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, to support Jewish culture
worldwide.
A selection of photographs of Trygve Lie was also on display in the Rotunda
of the Russell Senate Office Building. The Lie exhibition has previously
been on display at the Trygve Lie Gallery in New York. Both the Jewish
Life and the Lie exhibitions were shown for one week in Washington, and
closed April 23.
After the ceremony, Congressman Lantos said, "It was tremendously
moving meeting these special Norwegians."
Previous Stories:
• Issue 17, April
28, 2004
Norway Will Withdraw
Troops From Iraq
• Issue 16, April
21, 2004
Special Stamp Honors
Norway's New Princess
• Issue 15, April
14, 2004
Elizabeth Crowned
Miss Norway 2004
• Issue 14, April
7, 2004
Bush Stirs Debate
at Nordic Deli
• Issue 13, March
31, 2004
The Last of the Norwegians
on Lapskaus Boulevard
• Issue 12, March
24, 2004
Successful Debut for Nordic
Expo
• Issue 11, March
17, 2004
Sokndal - A Town in Slow
Motion
• Issue 10, March
10, 2004
Friendly Visit in Troubled
Times
• Issue 9, March
3, 2004
New Film Explores the
Heroes of the North
• Issue 8, February
25, 2004
Kofi Annan Greets
Norwegian Artists
• Issue 7, February
18, 2004
Bølgen & Moi
Open
Restaurant in Hudson
• Issue 6, February
11, 2004
Norwegian Diva With
Broadway Dreams
• Issue 5, February
4, 2004
Norway's New Princess Named
• Issue 4, January
28, 2004
Helga's Historic Walk
Across America
• Issue 3, January
21, 2004
Arne Næss Jr. Dies
Climbing in South Africa
• Issue 2, January
14, 2004
Norway's Kurt Ready
To Conquer the World
• Issue 1, January
7, 2004
Dragsten Honors Sons of
Norway's Founding Fathers
