International Focus Magazine Vol. 2, #3 | Page 10

seen on the scene

Local Holocaust Victim Observance brings history to life

Louis Philippe Sousa Mendes came to Houston to participate in the AJC and Holocaust Museum Houston ’ s annual UN Holocaust Victim Observance for the Consular Corps of Houston on Friday , Jan . 27 .
Yet Sousa Mendes , addressing Consuls General representing countries from Europe , Asia and Latin America and board members from both organizations about his grandfather , Hon . Aristides Sousa Mendes , found something else .
As Sousa Mendes talked about his grandfather , the Portuguese diplomat who issued 30,000 visas to Jews and other refugees fleeing Hitler while stationed in France , found two very special persons in Houston who are connected to his grandfather . After sharing that his grandfather was stripped of his position and an income by the government , he took questions .
One was a cousin he did not know about at all . The other person , Brendan Good , attended the Thursday night screening of “ Disobedience ”.
Good attended the observance and the film screening . After the film , Sousa Mendes took questions from the audience , including one from Good .
Good , raising his hand , was sitting six rows back on the side in the HMH theatre . When called on by Sousa Mendes , Good said , “ I don ’ t have a question .” Good continued , “ I just want to say thank you to your grandfather .
“ I am one of 13 grandchildren . My grandmother was given a visa by your grandfather in France and because of that , we are all alive today .
Silence filled the theatre as everyone realized and heard the Sousa Mendes story come to life and its impact .
Good ’ s grandmother was given a visa just before she was supposed to enter college .
10 iF Magazine | March 2017