Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the US

About the Commission

The Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States (PCHA), established by the U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-186), is charged with conducting original research into the fate of assets taken from victims of the Holocaust that came into the possession of the U.S. Federal government; reviewing research done by others regarding assets that came to private collections and non-Federal government organizations (especially state governments and financial institutions); and advising the President on policies that should be adopted to make restitution to the rightful owners of stolen property or their heirs.

The Commission, chaired by Edgar M. Bronfman and directed by Kenneth L. Klothen, consists of 21 members, including eight Congressional members, representatives of the Departments of Army, Justice, State and Treasury, the Chair of the Holocaust Memorial Council and eight public members from across the United States.

The primary goal is to develop an historical account of those valuables that came into the hands of the Federal government. Original research is conducted in the areas of art and cultural property, gold, and non-gold financial property by teams of researchers headed by experts Jonathan Petropoulos, Marc Masurovsky and Helen Junz.

State Holocaust commissions, banking and insurance companies, international Holocaust commissions and other agencies are working with this Commission to share and review the research of others, the second portion of the mission.

Upon completion of its research and analysis, this Commission will report its findings to the President and recommend further policy actions.

The need for action is urgent, as the survivors are aging. The Presidential Advisory Commission is committed to finding the truth about what happened to such assets and helping to see that justice is done for the survivors of the Holocaust and their families.

While this Commission does not have the authority to adjudicate individual claims, it may be able to direct individuals to organizations that manage claims. If you would like further information or direction, please contact the Commission by post or e-mail.

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