[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 48 (Thursday, April 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E423]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMEMORATING YOM HASHOAH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 11, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate Holocaust 
Remembrance Day, or Yom Hashoah, and to pay tribute to the men, women, 
and children murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.
  This week, we pause to join in solidarity to remember one of the 
darkest chapters in human history. During the Holocaust, six million 
Jews were killed, and countless others were brutalized, raped, 
dehumanized, and robbed. It is critical that, as nations and as 
individuals, we preserve the history of the Holocaust and the memories 
of survivors and other witnesses.
  The Days of Remembrance hold a deep meaning for me, as a Jewish 
American, and for my community. My district, the 9th Congressional 
District of Illinois, is home to one of the largest concentrations of 
Holocaust survivors in the country. An estimated 3,500 Holocaust 
survivors live in the Chicago area, all of whom are elderly, and many 
of whom do not receive the care and services they need. Skokie, in my 
district, is home to a beautiful Holocaust museum opened in 2009, a 
65,000-square-foot facility dedicated to sharing the history of the 
Holocaust and teaching the importance of combating hatred, 
indifference, and genocide to current and future generations across the 
Midwest.
  We pledged ``Never Again'' but, over sixty years later, we continue 
to fight anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance, even 
genocide. As we reflect on the tragedy of the lives lost and honor 
those who survived, we need to also pledge to do better moving forward. 
In a world where genocide, intolerance, and neglect are far too 
prevalent, we need to stand up against violations of human rights. We 
need to continue to fight injustice and protect people everywhere.
  This week, we pause to remember all those who perished, honor those 
who survived, and redouble our pledge to fight genocide, intolerance, 
and persecution wherever they occur.

                          ____________________