# What This Resolution Does

This is a resolution honoring Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes, a Portuguese diplomat who risked everything to save thousands of lives during the Holocaust. It's not a law that creates new rules or programs—it's essentially Congress saying "we recognize and celebrate this man's heroic actions." The House of Representatives is formally acknowledging his courage and directing that copies of this recognition be sent to the President and Portugal's government.

# The Story Behind It

In 1940, when Nazi Germany invaded France, thousands of Jewish people and other refugees desperately tried to escape. Many fled to the French city of Bordeaux hoping to reach safety in Portugal. However, Portugal's government had issued strict rules limiting who could enter the country. Dr. Sousa Mendes, who worked as Portugal's Consul General in Bordeaux, faced an impossible choice: follow his government's orders or help save lives. He chose to help. In June 1940, he issued tens of thousands of visas for free to anyone who asked, including thousands of Jewish refugees. He even personally helped people cross the border into Spain. His famous quote captures his reasoning: "I declare that I shall give, free of charge, a visa to whosoever shall request it. My desire is to be with God against Man rather than with Man and against God."

# What Happened to Him

For defying his government, Sousa Mendes was recalled, fired from his job, and punished economically for the rest of his life. He died poor and in disgrace in 1954. However, his legacy was eventually restored. In 1966, he was recognized as "Righteous Among the Nations" by Yad Vashem, an honor given to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jewish people. Portugal later rehabilitated his reputation, and in 2020, the country voted to memorialize him in its National Pantheon. This resolution simply adds the United States' voice to that recognition.

Honoring the humanitarian work of Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes do Amaral e Abranches to save the lives of French Jews and other persons during the Holocaust.

Costa, Jim

 <p>This resolution honors the humanitarian work of Dr. Aristides de Sousa Mendes do Amaral e Abranches, Consul of Portugal in Bordeaux, France, following the Nazi invasion of France. The resolution states that he acted with great courage and at personal risk to issue visas that spared many thousands of people from the Nazi occupation of France and the Holocaust.</p>