Discusses problems of the implemenation of restitution in Europe, including the inadequate sum of $500,000 agreed upon in 1962 to settle claims, and agreements negotiated by the Commission with museums, banks, etc. regarding dormant accounts and looted artworks. Recommendations include promoting research and education and seeking solutions to continuing restitution problems; reviewing Holocaust-era assets in federal, state, and private institutions and returning them to victims or heirs; preservation by the government of relevant archival records; continuation of U.S. leadership in promoting international commitment to restitution; and passing legislation to facilitate identification and restitution of assets. Both during and after the war priority was not given to restitution; the cumbersome process of recovery averaged more than three years. Postwar restitution policy was sometimes hostage to other U.S. policies, e.g. the Cold War. Concludes that agencies of the U.S. government demonstrated a significant commitment to return the property of Holocaust victims. (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism).

Cover title.

Content: This comprehensive report describes efforts by the U.S. government to return stolen assets to Holocaust victims after World War II. Contents: Transmittal Letter, Commission Members, Introduction, Findings: Implementation of Restitution Policy in Europe, Implementation of Restitution Policy in the United States, Agreements Negotiated by the Commission in the Public and Private Sectors, The Context of the Commission’s Recommendations, Recommendations, Acknowledgments, Appendices. Staff Report: Executive Summary, Chapter I: The History of the Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States and Its Report, Chapter II: From Nazi Appropriation to U.S. Control, Chapter III: Assets in the United States, Chapter IV: Assets in Europe, Chapter V: Restitution of Victim’s Assets, Chapter VI: Heirless Assets and the Role of Jewish Cultural Reconstruction, Inc., Chapter VII: Conclusion, Abbreviations and Glossary, Chronology of Key Events, Bibliography, List of Tables.