PolicyBrief
S.RES. 40
119th CongressJan 27th 2025
A resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
SENATE PASSED

This resolution 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 fight against antisemitism. It recognizes the importance of Holocaust education and addressing the rise in antisemitic incidents.

Jacky Rosen
D

Jacky Rosen

Senator

NV

LEGISLATION

Senate Resolution Marks 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz Liberation, Pledges to Fight Antisemitism

This resolution, straight from the Senate, marks January 27, 2025, as a major day of remembrance – the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's a call to action for all Americans to pause and remember the 1.1 million people murdered at Auschwitz, the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust, and all victims of Nazi terror. The bill directly urges everyone in the U.S. to reflect on this history.

Remembering and Acting

The core of this resolution is about two things: remembrance and action. First, it's about acknowledging the sheer scale of the horror that happened at Auschwitz, where approximately 1.1 million civilians, mostly Jews (at least 960,000), were systematically murdered between 1940 and 1945. The resolution isn't just about remembering the past; it's also about honoring those who survived the Holocaust and Auschwitz. It’s about recognizing the horrors that happened, and ensuring we never forget the lives lost and the incredible resilience of those who lived through it.

Facing Today's Challenges

But the resolution isn't just looking back. It connects this history to very real, present-day concerns, it calls for a commitment to fighting all forms of antisemitism. The resolution directly links historical remembrance to the need for action today. For example, imagine a history teacher using this anniversary as a starting point for a lesson on the Holocaust, then connecting it to discussions about current events and the importance of standing up against hate speech. Or picture a community group organizing an event to honor survivors and discuss how to build a more tolerant local environment. The resolution is designed to be a catalyst for these kinds of real-world actions.

From Remembrance to Action

It encourages all Americans to actively pursue tolerance, peace, and justice, and to stand against genocide and persecution. This part is where the resolution moves beyond just remembering, urging concrete action. It’s a challenge to everyone to build a world where such atrocities never happen again, and where the dangers of intolerance are actively taught and understood by future generations.