[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 31 (Friday, March 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      PERMITTING USE OF CAPITOL ROTUNDA FOR VICTIMS OF HOLOCAUST 
                             COMMEMORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2010

  Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
of H. Con. Res. 236, to permit the use of the rotunda of the Capitol 
for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance 
of victims of the Holocaust.
  It has been over 60 years since the Holocaust. For many of the 
survivors, the Holocaust remains an everyday reality. Year-round the 
Jewish people persistently teach and inform others about the horrors of 
the Holocaust. The Days of Remembrance is one day in the year when 
special effort is made to remember those that endured, struggled and 
died. Six million Jews were murdered and many families were completely 
devastated.
  There are many ways in which this day is observed. Generally the Day 
of Remembrance, or Yom Hashoah, has been observed with candle lighting, 
speakers, poems, prayers, and singing. Six candles are lighted to 
represent the six million individuals who lost their lives and 
Holocaust survivors speak about their experiences or share in the 
readings.
  This Congress established the Days of Remembrance as our nation's 
annual commemoration of the Holocaust. The United States Holocaust 
Memorial Museum is a lasting living memorial to the victims and 
Congress has authorized that the museum will take the lead in 
commemorating the Days of Remembrance and also to encourage and sponsor 
suitable ceremonies throughout the United States.
  This concurrent resolution is an affirmation of our continued support 
as we stand together with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Also, it 
allows for the Holocaust Memorial Museum to continue the annual 
commencement of the Days of Remembrance by initiating the week, which 
starts April 11, this year, with a memorial service in the U.S. Capitol 
Rotunda. The Holocaust Memorial Museum has been organizing and leading 
the national Days of Remembrance ceremony in the Rotunda since 1982; 
and it is my desire to maintain this tradition.

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