[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E567]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL RESOURCE AND 
                      EDUCATION CENTER OF FLORIDA

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                           HON. ALAN GRAYSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. GRAYSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Yom HaShoah, 
Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this day, we remember and memorialize the 
6 million Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. In honor of this 
day, I would like to recognize the Holocaust Memorial Resource and 
Education Center of Florida, which includes a staff and board of 
community activists who work tirelessly to combat anti-Semitism, 
racism, and prejudice through education and cultural programming.
  The Center was founded in June of 1980, when Valencia Community 
College and the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando came together to 
sponsor a series of community-wide events on the Holocaust and relevant 
human rights issues. The focus was on the social, historical, moral, 
ethical and economic implications of the Holocaust for today. 
Subsequently, a conference, co-sponsored by the newly created Holocaust 
Center, Florida Humanities Council, Valencia Community College and the 
Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando, was held in March 1981. The same 
coalition sponsored a Conference on Terrorism the following year, and 
in 1986 a Holocaust Center facility was constructed, a professional 
museum exhibit was installed, and a library with documentary and 
archival collections was developed. The Center received national and 
international recognition for its unique facility--the only one of its 
kind in the Southeast until 1996--as well as for its dedication to 
world-class, innovative programming.
  The Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center is a nonprofit 
organization whose mission is to use the lessons of the Holocaust as a 
tool to teach the principles of good citizenship to thousands of people 
of all ages, religions and backgrounds each year. The Center hosts 
numerous educational and cultural events to promote their 
organization's mission. They've hosted events and activities ranging 
from conferences, speakers, and days of recognition, to marches, museum 
exhibits and the construction of a center on the Holocaust. This work 
has made a tremendous impact in Central Florida by engaging, educating 
and inspiring all of its citizens. The Holocaust Memorial Resource and 
Education Center is ensuring we never forget and never repeat the 
tragedy of the past.
  Madam Speaker, it is a tremendous honor to recognize the 
accomplishments of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center 
in promoting acceptance and tolerance in the Central Florida community. 
As we all know, an organization can only be as good as the impressive 
staff and board that help run it. I applaud the Holocaust Center's 
board, which is represented by Central Florida's interfaith, 
multicultural community and the Center's staff, which is comprised of 
dedicated community activists. It is crucial we learn from our past to 
help better our future. Eva London Ritt, who many consider the 
cornerstone of the Center's staff and good works, said it best, ``Be 
aware of what is written and spoken. Be aware of the first hint of hate 
or bias against any individual or group and then act. One person can 
make a difference. Be a kind person. Kindness rubs off. With kindness, 
you can improve the world around you.''

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