This bill commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, urging Americans to remember the victims of the Holocaust, honor survivors, and combat rising anti-Semitism. It also acknowledges the historical significance of Auschwitz and the importance of Holocaust education.
Grace Meng
Representative
NY-6
This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, acknowledging the atrocities of the Holocaust and the rise in antisemitism. It calls on the people of the United States to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to recommit to combating all forms of antisemitism, tolerance, peace, and justice, and to work to end all genocide and persecution. The resolution also honors the legacy of Holocaust survivors.
Auschwitz Liberation 80th Anniversary Bill: Remembering the Holocaust and Fighting Anti-Semitism
This bill marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's a formal recognition of the horrors of the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews and millions of others were systematically murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II. The bill specifically highlights Auschwitz, the largest Nazi death camp, as a symbol of the Holocaust's brutality, where nearly 1.1 million innocent people were killed (Section 1).
Facing the Past, Shaping the Future
The core of the bill is about remembering and learning. It acknowledges the United Nations' designation of January 27th as the International Day of Commemoration in memory of Holocaust victims. It also points to the crucial role of institutions like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in preserving this history and educating the public (Section 1). The bill emphasizes that, with a dwindling number of Holocaust survivors (around 220,000), sharing their stories is more vital than ever (Section 1).
Real-World Impact: Education and Action
This isn't just about looking back; it's about action today. The bill directly connects the remembrance of Auschwitz to the current fight against anti-Semitism. It cites a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic incidents, referencing FBI data showing a 63% jump in such incidents in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023, and over 10,000 incidents in the months following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel (Section 1). It also recalls the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting, the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history (Section 1). For a teacher, this bill reinforces the importance of Holocaust education. For a community leader, it's a call to action to address rising hate. For everyone, it's a reminder of the consequences of unchecked prejudice.
Commitment to Change
Ultimately, the bill calls on all Americans to remember the victims of Auschwitz and the Holocaust, honor the survivors, and actively work toward tolerance, peace, and justice. It's a recommitment to combating all forms of anti-Semitism (Section 2). This means that, on a practical level, the bill encourages communities to actively foster understanding and combat prejudice in all its forms. It is a direct call to action to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are not just remembered but applied to creating a more just and tolerant society.