BILL NUMBER: SR 28	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Hayden

                        MAY 24, 2000

   Relative to Holocaust survivors' insurance claims.


  HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, California has adopted legislation in support of World
War II-era survivors of slave and forced labor, and insurance claims
by Holocaust survivors; and
   WHEREAS, The California legislation requires the payment of valid
claims, the creation of accessible registries, the monitoring of
state investments, and the conduct of licensing hearings by the
Insurance Commissioner; and
   WHEREAS, German industry and the German government are proposing
compensation payments of only $3,000 for forced laborers and $7,000
for slave laborers through a foundation dominated by German
interests; and
   WHEREAS, European insurers have paid few valid claims thus far;
and
   WHEREAS, The Swiss bank settlement of 1998 has resulted in no
compensation payments; and
   WHEREAS, The European parties are demanding the suspension of
California's laws advancing the legal rights of survivors; and
   WHEREAS, The United States Department of State is considering
issuing letters to American courts requesting that cases by survivors
be dismissed in the interest of United States foreign policy, and
that survivors be bounded by the German commission as their exclusive
remedy; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
calls on the United States Department of State to support California'
s legislation as a crucial catalyst in advancing the cause of
survivors; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Senate calls on the United States Department of
State to view a just resolution of survivors' claims as a human
rights precedent and moral priority for present and future
generations; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the President of the United States, to the United
States Secretary of State, to the United States Senate, to the United
States House of Representatives, and to the Chancellor of the
Federal Republic of Germany.