Government of Canada Honours Canadian Honorary Citizen Raoul Wallenberg
OTTAWA, January 16, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps and Secretary of State (Multiculturalism) (Status of Women) Jean Augustine invite Canadians to pay tribute to Raoul Wallenberg on January 17. Mr. Wallenberg's extraordinary humanitarian actions saved the lives of thousands of Jews during the Second World War."In honouring Raoul Wallenberg, we honour the courage, character, and humanity of an exceptional individual," said Minister Copps. "He looked beyond national, ethnic, and religious differences to save lives. He left us with a legacy of respect for human dignity, and of courageous actions against hate and prejudice. This legacy inspires those who work to protect and promote human rights in Canada and around the world."
"Raoul Wallenberg was an outstanding man who risked his life to save individuals persecuted for their ethnicity and religion during the Holocaust," said Secretary of State Augustine. "His exemplary conduct in a time of crisis should inspire in all of us the courage to take action in the face of discrimination in our everyday lives."
Born on August 4, 1912, Raoul Wallenberg was a member of a well-known Swedish family. In 1944, he was appointed as First Secretary at the Swedish Embassy in Budapest. His mission was to start a rescue operation for Jews. Raoul Wallenberg saved thousands of Hungarian Jews from deportation to death camps by issuing them "protective passports." He also established safe houses for Jews in Budapest.
Raoul Wallenberg disappeared in January 1945.
In 1985, the Government of Canada bestowed honorary citizenship on Raoul Wallenberg for his heroic acts. He was the first of only two people to have received such recognition in Canada. Nelson Mandela was made an honorary Canadian citizen in 2001.
To commemorate Raoul Wallenberg's achievements, the Department of Canadian Heritage has added a Tribute to Raoul Wallenberg to its Web site. In addition, Raoul Wallenberg's Human Rights Legacy will be one of the themes of the Human Rights Program's grants and contributions strategy for 2003-2004. For more information, please visit http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/pdp-hrp/tribute/raoul_e.cfm
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Naline Rampersad
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State
(Multiculturalism) (Status of Women)
(819) 997-9900
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