[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 10, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E916]]
                       HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Mr. MICHAUD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to add my voice to those marking 
this most solemn of days--Yom Hashoah. Holocaust Remembrance Day 
commemorates one of the darkest periods in our shared human history. We 
remember the victims of this unspeakable tragedy. At the same time, 
this day marks the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, and we 
celebrate the indomitable spirit of freedom and hope that resides in 
all of us.
  This day does not belong to one people or commemorate just one moment 
in time. Yom Hashoah reminds us of the darkness and evil that still 
exists in this world and charges each of us to stand against the 
atrocities that men can bring about.
  We remember only too well the horrors of ``ethnic cleansing'' in the 
Balkans and the genocide in Rwanda just a few years ago. Not only do we 
remind ourselves of the evils of our recent past, but also we take this 
time to look at the world we live in today as well. Religious, ethnic, 
racial and cultural strife continue to divide people around the world. 
Despite the lessons of our past, we are shamed by the knowledge that 
the world community was once again too slow to respond to the tragedy 
that is taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. We Are shamed by 
the knowledge that we have the ability to prevent genocide and 
suffering, but we do not act.
  That is why it is so important that we speak out today to remember 
the victims of the Holocaust and of all genocides throughout the world. 
This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II. Our 
greatest generation did not stand still against this evil. We must be 
ready and willing to follow in their footsteps.
  Merely saying ``never again'' is not enough. Only by raising 
awareness of these atrocities can we begin to stop them from happening 
to any group or people again. While this day is somber and full of 
self-reflection, it is important to also recall the kindness of so many 
who risked everything to save and hide their neighbors, friends, or 
even complete strangers.
  For many people, the bravery of Anne Frank sums up the best hopes for 
the future of humanity. Though she and her family fell victim to the 
horror, and ultimate fate of millions, she still wrote in her diary:
  ``I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still 
remains. . . . In spite of everything, I still believe that people are 
really good at heart.''
  Through understanding our past and each other, we can create the 
beautiful, peaceful, and hopeful world Anne Frank once envisioned.

                          ____________________