Schakowsky Statement on Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day

WASHINGTON- Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), released the following statement in observation of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day:

"Yom HaShoah serves as a time for us to reflect on how to fulfill the promise of 'Never Again.' It is more important than ever for us to remember the lessons of the Holocaust where unchecked hate, ignorance, and nationalism resulted in the systematic murder of six million Jews as well as hundreds of thousands of Roma, Slavs, disabled persons, and LGBTQ+ by the Nazis and their collaborators. We mourn this unfathomable loss and honor the memories of victims, the strength and courage of the survivors, and the heroism of those who stood up to the Nazis.

"Today we see antisemitic incidents of violence, threats, vandalism, and harassment at record highs in the U.S. and around the world. In the aftermath of Hamas' brutal terrorist attack on October 7th, Jewish people around the world are not only coping with the trauma of that day but are also forced to revisit the generational trauma caused by millennia of antisemitism, hate, violence, and displacement of the Jewish people. I have heard from hundreds of my Jewish constituents who have personally been faced with antisemitic hate. They are scared to send their children to school, go to the grocery store, or wear anything that could convey their Jewish identity. This is absolutely unacceptable. Hate of any kind will not be tolerated in our community. The 9th Congressional District is one of the most diverse districts in the nation and, while shrinking every year, is home to one of the largest populations of Holocaust survivors. All Americans deserve to feel safe in this country, and I will not rest until the vile ideology of antisemitism is cast aside once and for all.

"I am working to ensure that the Administration quickly and fully implements its first ever National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. I am pushing for increased funding for the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, which can effectively enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and investigate and address antisemitic incidents on college campuses. I am also advocating for additional funding for the Department of Justice to carry out its work tracking, investigating, and prosecuting hate crimes, and I am pleased that Congress just provided the largest-ever increase in funding for the security of non-profits, including Jewish community centers, synagogues, and Jewish schools.

"Today and every day we must aggressively work to combat antisemitism and uphold human rights in our communities and around the world. Yom HaShoah is a reminder for us all to speak up and recommit ourselves to 'Never Again.' We must never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and all those who perished. May their memories forever be a blessing and give us strength in our pursuit of a better, more accepting world for all."

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