This is one of the greatest moments in my entire life. Words can hardly express how I feel, neither can they reveal what I want to say. Sixty years ago, Professor Cleveringa, a man of integrity and honor, deeply concerned with what is right and wrong, stood in this same auditorium and denounced courageously the unjust action undertaken by the Nazi occupation forces dismissing the Dutch Jewish citizens from their jobs. Having been honored by the chair that carries his name and symbolizes the human and academic ethics he stood for I feel I should begin my lecture by invoking his vision and situating myself in relation to his brave stance.
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