[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 26, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H2879]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week we observe the
Days of Remembrance, the Nation's annual commemoration of the
Holocaust. The Holocaust was a systematic, government-sponsored
persecution and murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazi regime and its
collaborators.
Congress established the Days of Remembrance in 1980. Each year,
State and local governments, military bases, workplaces, schools,
religious organizations, and civic centers host remembrance activities
for their communities.
The Holocaust is an unthinkable scar on humanity, and, for this
reason, we gather annually to mourn the loss of so many lives and honor
those who survived.
We also remember those who risked their lives to rescue and protect
their friends and neighbors. We remember the American soldiers who
fought in World War II to liberate many from concentration camps and to
defend the defenseless.
And we remember, because, as Miriam Oster said so eloquently:
``Education and remembrance are the only cures for hatred and
bigotry.''
We will not be silent. We cannot be indifferent to the suffering of
others. May we always remember and always pledge: Never again.
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