Schakowsky Statement on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky released the following statement recognizing Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day:

"With every passing day it becomes increasingly important to remember the lessons of the Holocaust. More than 6 million Jews were systematically killed by Nazi Germany for one reason only – they were Jews. Unchecked hate, ignorance, and nationalism resulted in one of the greatest genocides in human history. As a result, the Jewish community has taken the lead in assuring such events will never again impact the Jews or anyone else on this Earth. Sadly, humanity has not entirely learned the important lessons of the past. Systematic death and destruction still occurs, and too many governments do not take steps necessary to protect vulnerable populations. For the Jewish people, the modern State of Israel, which blossomed out of the ashes of the Holocaust, serves as a guarantor of Jewish safety. Today, throughout Israel, a siren will blast stopping people and vehicles in their tracks, and the nation will stand for two minutes of silent remembrance. I hope the memories of the Holocaust reverberate around the world where anti-Semitism is on the rise once again. I will not rest until the vile ideology of anti-Semitism is set aside once and for all. Today, an aggressive devotion to peace, education, tolerance and equality is needed more than ever."