Transnistria survivor Liviu Librescu killed in Virginia Tech massacre

<b>During Tuesday&#39;s massacre at Virginia Tech, in the USA, a holocaust survivor with ties to Tiraspol was killed. Liviu Librescu had survived deportation from Romania to the killing fields of World War II&#39;s Transnistria. The territory was never part of Romania or of any independent Moldovan state</b>.

<i>By Times staff, 18/Apr/2007</i>

BLACKSBURG (Wires, Tiraspol Times) - Liviu Librescu, a Romanian-born Israeli professor, survived the killing fields of Transnistria as a teenager but fell to the bullet of a lone gunman in an American university campus Tuesday.

The 76 year-old Holocaust survivor was shot and killed in the Virginia Tech massacre while holding off the gunman at his lecture hall entrance so his students could escape.

Librescu was among the thirty-three people who were murdered in the Virginia Tech massacre on April 16, 2007. He was killed during a class in the Norris Hall Engineering Building by a student, Korean-born Cho Seung-hui, 23.

At Virginia Tech, his recent position was Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics.

Librescu held the door of his classroom shut while Cho was attempting to enter it; although he was shot through the door, he was able to prevent the gunman from entering the classroom until his students had escaped through the windows.

<b>A hero to his students</b>
A number of Librescu&#39;s students have called him a hero because of his actions, with one student, Asael Arad, saying that all the professor&#39;s students "lived because of him".

Librescu&#39;s son, Joe, said he had received e-mails from several students who said he had saved their lives and regarded him as a hero.

His death came on Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel.

Liviu Librescu was born in 1930 to a Jewish family in the city of Ploieşti, Romania. During World War II, his native Romania joined forces with Nazi Germany and started an extermination campaign of Jews.
His family was first interned in a labor camp in what the Romanians at the time called Transnistria and then transferred to the ghetto of Focşani.

According to a report compiled by the Romanian government in 2004, between 280,000 and 380,000 Jews were killed by Romania&#39;s Nazi-allied regime during the war. Others put the number higher, pointing to Romanian attempts to whitewash the scope of the crimes it committed while it occupied Transnistria (today known by its official name, Pridnestrovie, or by English names such as Transdniester and Transdniestria).

<b>Anti-Semitic Romanians</b>
" - We were in Romania during the Second World War, and we were Jews there among the Germans, and among the anti-Semitic Romanians," Marlena Librescu told Israeli Channel 10 TV on Tuesday.

From 1941 to 1944, Romania invaded occupied Transnistria (Pridnestrovie) which was a territory outside its own natural ethnic and historical borders. At no time in history was this territory ever part of Romania or of any independent Moldovan state, having also been majority Slavic and a traditional part of Russia or Ukraine.

During the Romanian occupation, the area was used as a giant slaughter house of Jews. At no time did Romania ever attempt to formally incorporate the territory into any Romanian or Moldovan state, recognizing that the natural border had always been the Dniester River; today the border between Pridnestrovie and Moldova.

Liviu Librescu survived the Holocaust to become an accomplished scientist in Romania.

He left the Romanian communist regime in 1978 after a direct request was made by the Prime Minister of Israel, Menachem Begin, to President of Romania, Communist dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu.

After emigrating to Israel, from 1979 to 1985 Librescu was Professor of Aeronautical and Mechanical Engineering at Tel-Aviv University. From 1985 until his death, he served as Professor at Virginia Tech. <i>(With information from AP, Wikipedia)</i>

See also:
<a href="http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/romania_whitewash_of_transnistria_invasion_has_holocaust_survivors_outraged.html">» Romania whitewash of Transnistria invasion angers Holocaust survivors</a>
<a href="http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/features/transnistria_the_artificial_name_for_the_romanian_auschwitz.html">» Transnistria, the artificial name for "the Romanian Auschwitz"</a>
<a href="http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/re_affirming_independence_tiraspol_celebrates_liberation_from_romania_invasion.html">» Re-affirming independence, Tiraspol celebrates its liberation from Romania</a>

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Original Source: <a href="http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/transnistria_survivor_liviu_librescu_killed_in_virginia_tech_massacre.html">http://www.tiraspoltimes.com/news/transnistria_survivor_liviu_librescu_killed_in_virginia_tech_massacre.html</a>

The Tiraspol Times

2007-06-18

Adriana Seagle

Jason Cooper (jasoncooper@tiraspoltimes.com)

eng

Viata de roman a eroului din SUA

Profesorul Liviu Librescu, romanul erou al Americii, impuscat mortal intr-un amfiteatru al Universitatii Virginia Tech din SUA in timp ce incerca sa-si salveze studentii din fata atacatorului sud-coreean, a copilarit la Focsani, unde a trait din plin ororile antisemite.

Aici locuiau bunicii lui din partea mamei, aici a avut domiciliul fortat tatal sau inainte de a fi trimis in lagarele de exterminare din Transnistria si tot aici a cunoscut-o pe sotia lui, Marilena Semian, fiica unui stomatolog cunoscut in acele timpuri, cu care s-a casatorit in 1968.

Sotia, medic de profesie, a urmat liceul de fete din Focsani. Ulterior si-a urmat sotul in Israel si mai apoi in Blacksburg - SUA.

<b>Prigonit de legionari si de comunisti</b>

Profesorul Liviu Librescu se numara printre cei care, inainte de 1989, au cerut Institutului Yad Vashem din Israel, memorialul dedicat celor sase milioane de evrei omorati in timpul Holocaustului, decorarea Reginei-mama Elena cu titlul de „Drept intre popoare".

In corespondenta electronica purtata cu corespondentul EVZ in Vrancea, profesorul isi amintea de prigoana impotriva evreilor. „Au fost ani de suferinta, cand tatii nostri, al meu si al sotiei mele, au avut domiciliul fortat.

Tatal meu a fost deportat de aici in Transnistria dupa ce a lucrat o vreme in munti, la Soveja, intr-un batalion de munca", scria profesorul Liviu Librescu cu putin timp inainte de masacrul din Virginia.

Cu toate amintirile neplacute, profesorul isi amintea cu placere de Focsani, orasul unde a urmat scoala israelita si mai apoi Colegiul Unirea. La 60 de ani de la Holocaust, profesorul Liviu Librescu si-a amintit de copilaria sa petrecuta intr-o atmosfera profund ostila evreimii.

„In anii copilariei, inaintea inceperii razboiului, Focsaniul a constituit pentru mine orasul in care veneam cu parintii sa-mi vizitez bunica, Paulina Finkelstein, si familiile surorilor mamei mele. Impreuna cu parintii, Izidor si Mina Librescu, locuiam atunci la Ploiesti. Tatal meu era avocat, dar, din motive rasiale, in tot timpul razboiului a fost radiat din barou.

Tatal meu a fost dus la lagarul de la Teius. Dupa desfiintarea acestuia, a fost trimis cu domiciliul fortat la Focsani.

In 1942, ne-am mutat la Focsani pentru a ne reuni cu tata, dar vremurile potrivnice au facut ca el sa fie luat la munca obligatorie, dupa care a fost deportat in Transnistria. Dupa razboi s-a intors cu sanatatea mult subrezita si cu moralul foarte scazut.

Tata a reintrat in barou, dar in anul 1948, cand regimul comunist s-a instaurat la putere, a fost din nou radiat pentru motivul ca s-a opus „democratizarii baroului"", spunea profesorul Librescu.

<b>Fortat sa demisioneze</b>

In ciuda pericolelor si a greutatilor intampinate de familia sa, Liviu Librescu a urmat Politehnica la Bucuresti, Sectia de aviatie. A ajuns un nume important, dar a trebuit sa renunte la tot ca sa poata pleca in Tara Sfanta.

„Pentru a-mi putea depune actele de emigrare in Israel a trebuit, in anul 1975, sa-mi dau demisia si am fost fortat sa stau trei ani fara lucru", le-a dezvaluit profesorul prietenilor sai din Focsani.

„In Israel am fost atestat profesor la Tel Aviv University. In 1985 am plecat la Virginia Polytechnic Institute in SUA. De atunci, lucrez aici, ca profesor la Engineering Sciens and Mecanics Department, si imi place foarte mult munca mea", a continuat profesorul.

Liviu Librescu a fost coleg de scoala, la Focsani, cu Zvi Ben Dov, fost director in cadrul Aeroportului International „Ben Gurion" din Tel Aviv, actualmente director general al organizatiei A.M.I.R.

<b>„Important e sa nu ne uitam trecutul"</b>

„Pe Liviu Librescu il pretuiam mult si eu, si sotia mea Edna. De Paste i-am trimis felicitari si mi-a raspuns cu multa amabilitate.

I-am scris ca plecam la Focsani sa vizitam orasul copilariei noastre si l-am invitat sa vina cu noi intr-o excursie de suflet.

Liviu mi-a raspuns ca, din pacate, nu poate sa fie cu noi pentru ca era implicat in unele proiecte la universitate, desi i-ar fi placut sa revada locurile copilariei. Mi-a spus ca este important sa nu ne uitam trecutul", ne-a spus Zvi Ben Dov. El a adaugat ca profesorul va fi inmormantat in Israel.

<b>EROU NATIONAL</b>

<b>Si-a salvat toti studentii!</b>

Moartea tragica a profesorului Liviu Librescu a fost deplansa ieri de presa internationala, de studentii de la Virginia Tech, de profesori, si nu in ultimul rand de rudele sale.

Eroismul dascalului de 76 de ani, care si-a salvat intreaga clasa, a fost evocat in declaratiile oficiale facute ieri de reprezentantii universitatii americane.

Librescu a murit blocand usa clasei cu trupul sau, timp in care toti studentii au sarit de la fereastra salii de curs situata la etajul al doilea al cladirii.

Unul dintre cei doi fii ai sai, Joe Librescu, a povestit pentru postul american de televiziune CNN ca este mandru de gestul eroic al tatalui sau. „Era unic in mai multe privinte. Se considera un fel de ambasador al Israelului in aceasta parte a lumii", a declarat Joe Librescu.

<b>STEAUA ROMANIEI</b>

<b>Decorat post-mortem</b>

Presedintele Traian Basescu l-a decorat ieri, post-mortem, pe profesorul Liviu Librescu. Seful statului i-a acordat ordinul National Steaua Romaniei in grad de Mare Cruce.

Potrivit unui comunicat al presedintiei, decoratia i-a fost acordata „in semn de inalta apreciere si recunostinta pentru intreaga activitate stiintifica si pentru eroismul dovedit in timpul tragicelor evenimente de la Virginia Polytechnic Institute". (Laura Gafencu)

<b>Neadaptat la societate</b>

<b>Asasinul, un solitar incarcat de ura</b>

Autorul masacrului de la Universitatea Virginia Tech, soldat cu 32 de morti, a fost identificat, insa personalitatea sa si motivele ce l-au impins la aceasta crima oribila raman invaluite in mister.

Principalul obstacol in calea realizarii unui portret cat mai exact il reprezinta faptul ca era un tip solitar, fara prieteni care sa poata povesti despre el. In opinia expertilor, cei mai multi criminali in serie sunt insi singuratici, cu dificultati de adaptare la societate.

Criminalul din Virginia, Cho Seung-hui (23 de ani), un sud-coreean emigrat in SUA impreuna cu parintii, la varsta de 8 ani, era o enigma pentru colegii sai. Nu vorbea cu nimeni, lua masa singur la cantina si respingea orice tentativa din partea celorlalti studenti de a se imprieteni.

Un coleg a povestit ca, in urma cu un an, la inceputul unui nou curs de literatura engleza, Cho a fost singurul care nu si-a trecut numele pe lista, punand in loc un semn de intrebare. Profesorul chiar l-a intrebat: „Semn de intrebare e numele tau?".

„Nu se apropia de nimeni. Nu vorbea niciodata", a povestit studenta Julie Poole. Mai mult, tanarul cu care impartea camera de camin, Joe Aust, a relatat ca abandonase de mult orice incercare de a se apropia de Cho. Nu-si spuneau nici macar „buna dimineata".

La fel s-a intamplat si in dimineata crimelor. Cand s-a trezit, Aust l-a vazut pe Cho deja la calculator, poate punand la punct ultimele amanunte ale planului sau dement. Nu si-au spus o vorba. In mod ironic, in momentul in care a patruns in cladirea Norris Hall, unde a ucis 30 de studenti, Cho si-a salutat victimele: „Buna, ce mai faceti?".

<b>Gelos pe copiii de bani gata</b>

Biletul conceput de Cho Seung-hui in dimineata masacrului lasa sa se intrevada ura pe care o nutrea fata de colegii sai. In mesajul de adio, criminalul are cuvinte dure la adresa celor pe care ii numeste „copii de bani gata" sau „sarlatani". El denunta, de asemenea, dezmatul care domneste in campus.

Ura lui Cho fata de colegii mai instariti este explicabila, in conditiile in care provenea dintr-o familie modesta. Inainte de a emigra in SUA, parintii sai duceau o existenta destul de grea, intr-o periferie a capitalei sud-coreene, Seul.

In America, parintii au reusit sa cumpere o spalatorie ecologica si sa duca o existenta decenta, fara a-i putea insa oferi fiului cine stie ce. Potrivit presei de la Seul, care urmareste cu mare interes drama din SUA, parintii criminalului sunt internati, in stare de soc.

Ei ar fi incercat sa se sinucida dupa aflarea teribilei vesti, tatal taindu-si venele, in timp ce mama a baut o substanta toxica.

<b>Obsedat de violenta</b>

Colegii si profesorii avusesera de-a lungul ultimilor ani suficiente semnale ca tanarul sud-coreean este ciudat. In 2005, sefa departamentului de creatie literara, Lucinda Roy, a atras atentia conducerii facultatii de engleza ca Cho Seung-hui este un tip cu probleme.

Acest lucru era evident din lectura a doua texte scrise de baiat, ce dezvaluie obsesia pentru violenta si furia ce-l macinau.

Unul din texte a fost publicat pe internet. „Richard McBeef" este o piesa intr-un act despre un baiat de 13 ani care isi acuza tatal vitreg, aparent fara motiv, de pedofilie si de asasinarea tatalui sau natural.

Dincolo de lipsa evidenta de talent, piesa socheaza prin limbajul violent al copilului, care planuieste sa-l omoare pe tatal vitreg cu o drujba. In celalalt text scris de Cho este vorba despre trei elevi hartuiti de un profesor. „Atunci cand citeam piesele lui Cho era ca un cosmar.

Piesele erau pline de o violenta macabra si faceau referire la arme la care eu unul nu m-as fi gandit", spune colegul sau Ian McFarlane.

<b>GELOZIE</b>

<b>Scanteia care a aprins fitilul</b>

Problemele sentimentale sau, mai degraba, lipsa lor par sa fi jucat si ele un rol important in drama ce a indoliat America. Prima victima a lui Cho Seung-hui a fost Emily Hilscher, o bruneta cu ochi albastri in varsta de 18 ani. Potrivit martorilor oculari ai primului act al dramei, Cho s-a dus la 7.00 dimineata in caminul unde statea Emily.

Cei doi s-au certat, in scandal intervenind un alt student, presupus a fi iubitul actual al fetei. Cho i-a impuscat pe amandoi. Nu s-a stabilit cu certitudine daca el avusese o legatura sentimentala cu fata. Politia a declansat urmarirea unui alt fost iubit al lui Emily. In momentul in care il interogau pe respectiv, politistii au fost informati ca in campusul universitar se trage din nou. (Jacqueline Prager)

<b>Reteta masacrelor</b>

<b>O traditie a violentei si arme la indemana</b>

Marginalizarea sociala, problemele legate de virilitate, violenta glorificata de productiile cinematografice sau de televiziune si usurinta de a procura arme ar putea fi, potrivit sociologilor, ingredientele care au condus la masacrul de la Universitatea Virginia Tech.

„Nu trebuie sa atribuim aceste crime doar problemelor mentale ale unui individ, ci sa ne concentram asupra ansamblului de factori socio-culturali ce joaca un rol in acest tip de violenta", spune sociologul Joseph Gasper, citat de AFP.

Acesta subliniaza usurinta extraordinara cu care orice american isi poate procura o arma. El ii da ca exemplu pe cei doi liceeni care au comis in 1999 masacrul de la Liceul Columbine, din Colorado, care gasisera armele in propriile lor case.

„Nu cred ca o sa putem vedea vreodata strazile Americii fara arme, astfel ca e important sa ne concentram asupra factorilor psihologici si sociologici daca vrem sa intelegem si sa prevenim fenomenul."

Un articol de Silvia Vranceanu, Andreea Romanovschi
<a href="http://www.evz.ro/article.php?artid=301201">Integral in Romania libera</a>

<a href="http://www.evz.ro/">Evenimentul Zilei</a>, 19 apr 2007

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Sursa Originala: <a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70182-Viata-de-roman-a-eroului-din-SUA.htm">http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70182-Viata-de-roman-a-eroului-din-SUA.htm</a>

Evenimentul Zilei

2007-06-15

Adriana Seagle

Cristian Pantazi (cristian.pantazi@hotnews.ro)

ron

Mesajul transmis de fiul profesorului Librescu pentru cititorii HotNews.ro

<b>Joseph (Joe) Librescu, fiul profesorului care si-a aparat studentii cu pretul vietii in timpul masacrului din SUA, a transmis un mesaj emotionant pentru cititorii HotNews.ro. "Sint baiatul profesorului Librescu si vreau sa multumesc tuturor celor care au scris note asa de frumoase despre el. Chiar daca a plecat din tara demult, niciodata nu i-a uitat frumusetea, si la vara trebuia sa ne intalnim toate familia la Predeal pentru o reuniune. Inca o data va mulzumesc pentru cuvintele frumoase scrise aici".
• <a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70002-Liviu-Librescu-profesorul-de-eroism.htm">Liviu Librescu, profesorul de eroism</a>
• <a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70129-Profesorul-Librescu-decorat-post-mortem-de-Traian-Basescu.htm">Profesorul Librescu, decorat post-mortem de Traian Basescu</a>
• <a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70080-Universitatile-din-SUA-in-stare-de-alerta-Ieri-s-a-inregistrat-inca-o-amenintare.htm">Universitatile din SUA - in stare de alerta. Ieri s-a inregistrat inca o amenintare</a></b>

Chiar daca a plecat din tara demult, niciodata nu i-a uitat frumusetea, si la vara trebuia sa ne intalnim toate familia la Predeal pentru o reuniune.

Inca o data va mulzumesc pentru cuvintele frumoase scrise aici".Reamintim ca profesorul de origine romana Liviu Librescu a murit luni, in timpul masacrului de la Universitatea Tehnica din Virginia, studentii sai povestind ca si-a sacrificat propria viata pentru a-i face scapati din fata asasinului.

<a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/">HotNews.ro</a>, 19 apr 2007

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Sursa Originala: <a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70234-Mesajul-transmis-de-fiul-profesorului-Librescu-pentru-cititorii-HotNews-ro.htm">http://www.hotnews.ro/articol_70234-Mesajul-transmis-de-fiul-profesorului-Librescu-pentru-cititorii-HotNews-ro.htm</a>

HotNews.ro

2007-06-13

Adriana Seagle

Cristian Pantazi (cristian.pantazi@hotnews.ro)

ron

Un gînd pentru studenţii şi profesorii din Virginia

32 de colegi ai noştri, studenţi şi profesori, au fost ucişi într-o tragedie fără sens care a zguduit America şi lumea întreagă.

Noi, cei 37.000 de studenţi şi profesori ai Universităţii „Alexandru Ioan Cuza" din Iaşi, împărtăşim durerea şi revolta în faţa unui act de neînţeles. Este dificil să reacţionezi în faţa provocărilor absurde ale violenţei, mai ales atunci cînd universitatea ştie să lupte doar pentru cunoaştere şi o viaţă mai bună în comunitate.

Îi plângem şi noi pe cei care acum şi-au pierdut viaţa în campusul Universităţii Virginia Tech, printre care şi pe profesorul de origine română, Liviu Librescu. Cu gândul la ei şi la tinerii de pretutindeni, nu putem decât să ne continuăm misiunea de a lumina minţile omeneşti prin ştiinţă, pentru că sîntem convişi că acesta este singurul mod în care putem inventa împreună un viitor mai bun.


32 of our colleagues, students and teachers, were killed in a senseless tragedy that horrified America and the entire world. Here, at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iaşi, the 37.000 students and teachers share the grief and anger in front of such irrational and unfair act. It is difficult to find the right reaction to the absurd challenges of violence, especially since the university&#39;s only fight is for knowledge ad a better life for the community.

We too mourn the lives lost in the campus of Viriginia Tech University, among which that of the Romanian professor Liviu Librescu. Thinking of them and the students everywhere, we can only carry on our mission of sheding light upon human minds through science, for we are convinced that this is the only way to invent a better future.

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Sursa Originala/Original Source:
<a href="http://www.uaic.ro/uaic/bin/view/Main/N0704191142">http://www.uaic.ro/uaic/bin/view/Main/N0704191142</a>

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University

2007-06-12

Brent Jesiek

Laura Copcea (promovare@uaic.ro)

eng

Hero Librescu&#39;s son addresses Hotnews.ro readers

Joseph (Joe) Librescu, the son of Liviu Librescu, the teacher who protected his students at the cost of his own life in the Virgina Tech killing spree yesterday, sent a heart-felt message to all Hotnews.ro readers.<br />
"I am professor Librescu&#39;s son and I want to thank all those who wrote such beautiful notes about him", the letter reads.

"Even though he left the country for a long time, he never forgot its beauty. We were supposed to meet in Predeal this summer, for a family reunion.

Once again I want to thank you for all the beautiful things you wrote about him".

Professor Liviu Librescu&#39;s gesture was widely commented on in the Romanian and international media.

First announced on the <a href="http://www.esm.vt.edu/">Virginia Tech official site</A>, the story soon reached the <a href="http://english.hotnews.ro/International-media-honors-Romanian-born-professor-killed-in-Virginia-massacre-articol_44738.htm"">HotNews.ro English version</A>, and was quoted by the blogs at the <a href="http://www.claremont.org/blogs/blogid.5193/blog_detail.asp">Claremont Institute for the Study of Statemanship and Political Philosphy</A>.

An <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/17/AR2007041700626.html?nav=hcmodule">Associated Press</A> article was almost instantly quoted by all international media. <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/04/17/vtech.shooting.victims/index.html">CNN</A>, <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1665503.ece">The Times</A>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/17/us/17victims.html?_r=1&oref=slogin">The New York Times</A> and <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/849070.html">Haaretz</A> are just a few of the TV stations and newspapers that brought an hommage to the lost professor.

Romanian media ware just as present as the international ones:<br />
"Romanian hero in mourning America", <a href="http://www.evz.ro/">Evenimentul Zilei</A> reads on the first page; "The Hero", is the simple and powerful title in <a href="http://www.jurnalul.ro/articol_76983/eroul.html">Jurnalul National</A>. "Romanian hero at Virginia Tech", reads <a href="http://www.cotidianul.ro/">Cotidianul</A>. "Romania origin hero", is the headline in <a href="http://www.romanialibera.ro/a92706/un-erou-originar-din-romania.html">Romania Libera</A> and so on.

<a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/">HotNews.ro</a>, Apr 18, 2007

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Original Source: <a href="http://english.hotnews.ro/Hero-Librescu%27s-son-addresses-Hotnews.ro-readers-articol_44751.htm">http://english.hotnews.ro/Hero-Librescu%27s-son-addresses-Hotnews.ro-readers-articol_44751.htm</a>

HotNews.ro

2007-06-12

Adriana Seagle

Cristian Pantazi (cristian.pantazi@hotnews.ro)

eng

Liviu Librescu honored in New York

A community in tears said its goodbye on Thursday from one of its members, professor Liviu Librescu, killed in the Virginia Tech massacre, helping his students flee to safety in an act of heroism.

A moving service was held for Librescu in New York, before his body left for Israel. Hours after receiving Romania&#39;s highest distinction, Librescu was also honored by president George W. Bush.

Liviu Librescu sacrificed himself blocking the door in the way of the shooter, so that students may escape through the classroom windows.

Librescu, a Holocaust survivor and a teacher for 20 years at the Virginia Tech university, remains known in the media as "the hero in room 204".

<a href="http://www.hotnews.ro/">HotNews.ro</a>, Apr 19, 2007

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Original Source: <a href="http://english.hotnews.ro/Liviu-Librescu-honored-in-New-York-articol_44763.htm">http://english.hotnews.ro/Liviu-Librescu-honored-in-New-York-articol_44763.htm</a>

HotNews.ro

2007-06-12

Adriana Seagle

eng

Fastest Presidential answer to a citizen request

[May 17] <b>Fastest Presidential answer to a citizen request</b>

Miami, FL, US / (Press Release) The record for the World&#39;s "Fastest Presidential answer to a citizen request" has just been accepted by the World Records Academy.

The new record holder is President Traian Basescu (Romania), who promptly answered to an emergency citizen request on April 18 and has issued in less than two hours a Presidential Decree conferring of the National Order „The Star of Romania" to Mr. Professor Liviu Librescu.

Also as requested, two days later, in Israel, a special envoy of the Romanian president presented to his widow and two sons the Star of Romania medal in recognition of his courage and contribution to science.

Romanian born Professor Liviu Librescu is the hero <i>"who, at the cost of his own life, saved the lives of his students during the massacre at Virginia Tech."</i> -according to <a href="http://www.jwv.org/communication/jwvdetail.cfm?ID=196">Jewish War veterans of the USA</a>.

The Certificate for this new world record will reach President Basescu during the next days and his record will be listed in the 2008 edition of the World Records Book, the official publication of the World Records Academy.

"The main point of this story which convinced us to recognize this somehow unusual (but very human-appealling) world record was that a President which knew he has only few hours left before being suspended by the Parliament, a President which has to approve and sign <a href="http://www.presidency.ro/?_RID=det&tb=date&id=8692&_PRID=ag">tons of documents</a> during his last few hours as President, left everything behind -as requested by an ordinary citizen (a 23 years old girl, a marketing student!)- and did what a President always has to do in the first instance: served his Country, above anything else, even above his own personal political problems", said Tom Howard, Head of Records for World Records Academy. He also added "We all have dreamed about changing the World in better, some still hopes, aren&#39;t we? If the young generation still has this dream, it&#39;s encouraging, especially when somebody like...a President, does fulfill their dreams."

"It&#39;s kind of &#39;<a href="http://www.epinions.com/mvie-review-5D09-150AAA26-39CFEBEC-prod3">It could happen to you</a>&#39; story, but this time it wasn&#39;t anything material involved, only the noble desire to pay respects to a Hero, and pay them on time! In that movie, during the evening before loosing their restaurant, the goodhearted couple still have the patience and heart to open their cafe and handle a last bowl of soup to a street man (an undercover journalist). This time, possibly being just a-step-to-his-career&#39;s end, a President left everything behind and did a notable gesture."

"No wonder why this President has become so popular among regular citizens in his country, Romania, and why the younger generation widely supports him: if you write a message (in a matter of National Interest) to a President and he do what he was asked to do, simply because the request was right, that&#39;s the President I think anybody would LOVE to have!"

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Original Source: <a href="http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/amazing/fastest_presidential_answer_to_a_citizen_request_70180.htm">http://www.worldrecordsacademy.org/amazing/fastest_presidential_answer_to_a_citizen_request_70180.htm</a>

World Records Academy

2007-06-11

Brent Jesiek

Victor (info@romanian-gymnastics.com)

eng

Romanian born Hero Liviu Librescu received Highest Award

[April 18] <b>Romanian born Hero Liviu Librescu received Highest Award</b>

<i>romanian-gymnastics.com</i>

BUCHAREST/ The President of Romania, Traian Basescu, has signed today, April the 18th the year to end, the decree concerning the post-mortem conferring of the National Order The Star of Romania with the rank of Grand Cross to Mr. Liviu Librescu, Ph.D., University Professor.

The National Order The Star of Romania with the rank of High Cross has been conferred as a sign of high appreciation and gratitude for the entire scientific and academic activity, as well as for the heroism shown in the course of the tragic events which took place on April the 16th, 2007, in the Campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, the United States of America, through which he saved the lives of his students, sacrificing his own life.

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Original Source:<a href="http://www.romanian-gymnastics.com/news/2007/04/romanian_born_hero_received_highest_award.htm">http://www.romanian-gymnastics.com/news/2007/04/romanian_born_hero_received_highest_award.htm</a>

Romanian Gymnastics

2007-06-11

Adriana Seagle

Victor (info@romanian-gymnastics.com)

eng

Omagiu lui Liviu Librescu in Israel

Data publicarii: 21/04/2007

<b>Profesorul israelian de origine romana Liviu Libreanu, ucis in masacrul de luni de la Virginia Tech, a fost inmormintat vineri in Israel.</b>

Zeci de persoane au asistat la funeralii in cimitirul din orasul Raanana, din centrul Israelului, pentru un ultim omagiu adus profesorului Librescu, supravietuitor al Holocaustului care a emigrat in Israel in 1978, pentru a se instala ulterior in Statele Unite. Librescu a tinut blocata usa incaperii pentru a le permite studentilor sa sara pe geam, in timpul conflictului singeros de la Universitatea Tehnica din Virginia din data de 16 aprilie. Ulterior, atacatorul a incercat sa intre in clasa si pentru ca nu a reusit a tras o rafala de gloante in usa. "Imi voi consacra viata mostenirii tale. Adio, tata", a spus fiul sau Joe. Trupul neinsufletit al profesorului Librescu a fost transportat cu zborul Elal nr. 2 de la New York la Tel Aviv, insotit de citiva reprezentanti ai unei organizatii religioase si de membri ai familiei. Profesorul Liviu Librescu s-a nascut in 1930 in Romania. Dupa ce a supravietuit Holocaustului, a refuzat sa se inscrie in Partidul Comunist si si-a pierdut slujba ca inginer aerospatial. In 1976, Liviu Librescu a publicat in secret o carte in Norvegia in care a emis o teorie revolutionara pentru tehnologia aerospatiala. In 1978, dupa ce mai multe grupuri din Israel au facut lobby, lui Librescu i s-a permis sa plece din Romania si s-a stabilit in Israel. La Virginia Tech a inceput sa predea din 1985. Librescu era membru al mai multor academii de constructii din Ucraina, Armenia si Statele Unite ale Americii si a fost distins cu multe premii de catre mai multe organizatii internationale. El avea peste 500 de materiale publicate in mai multe reviste de specialitate sau ca lucrari personale.

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Sursa Originala: <a href="http://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/cms/site/z_is/news/omagiu_lui_liviu_librescu_in_israel_142568.html">http://www.ziaruldeiasi.ro/cms/site/z_is/news/omagiu_lui_liviu_librescu_in_israel_142568.html</a>

Ziarul de Iasi

2007-06-11

Adriana Seagle

Florin Nicula (florin.nicula@ziaruldeiasi.ro)

ron

[Untitled]

Moment de comemorare a studentilor de la universitatea Alexandru Ioan Cuza, Iasi pentru studentii de la Virginia Tech - vineri, 20 aprilie 2007

Moment of commemoration from the students and faculty of Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania for Virginia Tech- Friday, April 20th, 2007.



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Sursa Originala:
<a href="http://www.uaic.ro/uaic/bin/view/Photos/RememberVirginiaTech">http://www.uaic.ro/uaic/bin/view/Photos/RememberVirginiaTech</a>

Alexandru Ioan Cuza University

2007-06-11

Adriana Seagle

Laura Copcea (promovare@uaic.ro)

ron