I. A-7713. His new name, the graffiti stamped on the skin. II. A-7713, a concentration camp tattoo. III. At age fifteen, A-7713 was taken away from his home by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz, one of the twentieth century’s most potent symbols of evil. IV. Here A-7713 witnessed the deaths of thousands of human beings, including his mother and younger sister. V. Somehow, A-7713 survived, and when World War II ended, he put his pain and grief to work making sure the world did not forget the Holocaust and making sure another Holocaust did not take place. VI. Today the world knows A-7713 as Elie Wiesel, noted speaker and lecturer, author of more than 40 books, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Congressional Gold Medal, …show more content…
An eloquent leader, Elie Wiesel uses the power of language to confront the problems of humanity. A. Through compelling prose and brutal honesty, he explains that we cannot root out evil unless we recognize it and battle it wherever it exists. B. In his classic book, Night, he says of Auschwitz: “Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky.” Transition: Haunting words that remind us of the reality of evil. II. A fearless leader no less than an eloquent one. A. Elie Wiesel has spent 40 years battling the evils that continue to plague our planet. 1. To the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua, displaced from their homeland, he brought inspiring words of strength and compassion. 2. To men and women facing apartheid in South Africa, he brought a powerful denunciation of racial segregation and violence. 3. To Cambodian refugees suffering from starvation and disease, he brought food and the promise of a new beginning. Transition: And to those of us who follow his work, he continues to provide inspiration. III. A selfless leader as much as an eloquent and fearless one, Elie Wiesel has consistently put the needs of others before his