BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO EXEMPT HOLOCAUST RESTITUTION PAYMENTS FROM FEDERAL INCOME TAXES. SCHAKOWSKY: IT WOULD BE UNJUST FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO TAKE AWAY EVEN A FRACTION OF THOSE ALREADY MODEST FUNDS THROUGH TAXATION.

SCHAKOWSKY: "IT WOULD BE UNJUST FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO TAKE AWAY EVEN A FRACTION OF THOSE ALREADY MODEST FUNDS THROUGH TAXATION."

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) today joined Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Jerry Weller (R-IL) in introducing the Holocaust Victims Tax Fairness Act of 2001. The bipartisan legislation would ensure that any Holocaust restitution payments received by survivors or families of victims are exempt from federal income tax.

"Bringing a measure of justice to the Holocaust survivors, victims of the greatest tragedy of the past century, continues to be a great struggle. Holocaust survivors are suffering even further indignation by having to wait years for small, and largely symbolic, restitution. It would be unjust for the U.S. government to take away even a fraction of those already modest funds through taxation," Schakowsky said.

"On behalf of one of the largest survivor communities in the nation and the world, I will work with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to enact this bill into law," Schakowsky added.

Federal payments from Medicare, housing assistance, and other programs would not be reduced by this legislation. As many as 100,000 people in the United States, including 10,000 in Illinois can benefit from this legislation.

Senator Peter Fitzgerald introduced similar legislation, which was adopted by the Senate as part of larger tax package.

"Holocaust survivors are only now receiving a small measure of restitution for the horrors they endured over 50 years ago. It would be beneath the dignity of our country to try to tax these payments," said U.S. Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald. "Many survivors will rely on these payments in their final years, and they are entitled to keep every penny they receive. We will continue to work hard until this measure becomes law."