Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
"Today we unveil Hope, a beautiful monument dedicated to Raoul Wallenberg, a great humanitarian who inspired not only the people of this country, but people all over the world," Mayor Giuliani said. "In one of the darkest periods in modern history, at a time when the oppressive atrocities of Hitler's regime weighed down on the world, Raoul Wallenberg emerged as a beacon of light and hope to so many people being persecuted in Nazi death camps. As a Swedish diplomat, he used every possible means available to keep Jews from persecution. The dangerous risks involved did not deter Mr. Wallenberg, and his steadfast commitment to the principles of freedom and human decency was unshakeable."
"Raoul Wallenberg is a hero to the people in New York City and throughout the world," the Mayor continued. "His sacrifice will never be forgotten. As we stand across the street from the United Nations -- the world body created in the wake of World War II to further peace, understanding and freedom -- I cannot think of a more perfect site for a monument dedicated to Raoul Wallenberg. Years from now, when children and adults visit this memorial, they will be reminded how the courage of one man can make a difference for the lives of so many people. I want to thank the Storch Family for giving this magnificent tribute to the people of New York City."
Commissioner Henry Stern said, "This haunting monument, in the shadow of the United Nations, reminds us all of Raoul Wallenberg's courage and sacrifice. Tens of thousands of people with us today, would not have been born if he had not lived."
Dag Sebastian Ahlander, the Consul General of Sweden in New York City, said, "As Swedes, we are very proud that Raoul Wallenberg's actions on behalf of the Jews of Hungary are being honored with this beautiful monument, prominently located in the Capital of the World."
Mr. Wallenberg was born on August 4, 1912 in Sweden to a prominent banking family. After he graduated from the University of Michigan in 1935, Mr. Wallenberg returned to Sweden to begin a career as a successful businessman with many contacts throughout Europe. In 1944 during World War II, he was chosen to lead a rescue operation of Hungarian Jews. In his position as a Swedish diplomat, he issued thousands of protective passports and sheltered thousands of Jews in "safe houses" -- using every means available to keep Jews from persecution. On January 17th, 1945, Raoul Wallenberg was taken prisoner by the Soviet Union troops and never returned home again. To this day, there is no record of his fate.
Only days before his disappearance, Mr. Wallenberg was warned about the risks he was taking. He replied: "For me there is no other choice. I have accepted this assignment, and could never return to Stockholm without the knowledge that I had done everything in human power to save as many Jews as possible."
Created by the Hungarian-born Swedish sculptor Gustav Kraitz, the Hope monument contains five black columns cut from Swedish bedrock that imitate the ruins of a devastated city. The tallest column, a 21-foot post capped by a blue ceramic sphere, symbolizes hope. The sculptor's wife, Ulla, crafted the lone attaché case, symbolizing a person who left in a hurry and the urgency of Mr. Wallenberg's mission. The area surrounding the pillars is comprised of granite paving blocks that once covered the streets of the Jewish ghetto in Budapest. These stones were a gift from the City of Budapest.
The Hope monument was a gift to the City from Mr. Marcus Storch and the Storch family. His father, Mr. Hilel Storch, was a leader in the World Jewish Conference where the idea was conceived to send Mr. Wallenberg as an envoy to rescue Hungarian Jews. Like Mr. Wallenberg, who was chosen as this special envoy, Mr. Storch entered into negotiations to secure the release of countless Jews.
This memorial is the most recent of a number of special distinctions honoring Mr. Wallenberg. In 1981, he was proclaimed an honorary citizen of the United States, an honor bestowed upon only one other man -- Winston Churchill. Three other monuments stand in tribute to him in Budapest, London and Montreal.