Survivor to protest congressman’s conduct

By · February 13, 2008

A survivors’ leader said he will protest the conduct of U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) at a recent House hearing.

Roman Kent, the chairman of the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, told JTA he planned to write to Frank to complain about his stewardship of last week’s meeting of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, which Frank chairs.

During the hearing, Frank repeatedly interrupted Kent’s testimony, saying he had gone over the time limit. When Kent tried to resume his statement in the question period, Frank accused him of abusing the committee’s time.

The hearing concerned a bill that would require insurance companies to disclose lists of Holocaust-era policies if they wish to do business in the United States. Kent opposes the legislation, claiming it would undermine present restitution negotiations with European governments.