| December 8, 2006 |
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth) this week introduced H.Con.Res 499, a resolution honoring the service of World War II heroes named “Monuments Men” who helped retrieve famous works of art confiscated by the Nazis, and returning them to their rightful owners.
“It’s important that we pay tribute to the Monuments Men for their significant contribution in retrieving some of the world’s most valued art treasures from the Nazis. Their efforts were significant and they deserved to be honored for it,” said Granger.
The Monuments Men were nicknamed “Monuments Men” by American GI’s. They rescued tens of thousands of pieces of art and monuments from Hitler and the Nazis including some of the most famous works of Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Raphael, Vermeer, Picasso and DaVinci.
Ms. Granger became interested in the Monuments Men story after meeting with Robert Edsel, author of Rescuing DaVinci, a book which tells the story of the Monuments Men.
There are currently 13 living Monuments Men. One of the last 13 living Monuments Men, Harry Ettlinger, was in DC this week to help celebrate the resolution’s introduction.
Granger will reintroduce the resolution in the 110th Congress. The resolution is not likely to have great opposition.
Granger was just elected to serve in the 110th Congress as Republican Conference Vice-Chair, a leadership position. She serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Defense Appropriations and Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittees and also serves as a Deputy Majority Whip. Granger is the first and only female Republican to serve in the Texas House delegation. Granger represents the 12th District of Texas and is currently serving her fifth term in Congress.