Recognizing January 27th of 2026, as "International Holocaust Remembrance Day" and Commemorating the 81st Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz

WHEREAS, January th is observed annually as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust and to ensure that future generations understand the importance of preventing hatred, prejudice, and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the st Anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, where more than 1.1 million men, women and children were brutally murdered by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust; and

WHEREAS, The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was the systematic state- sponsored persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by Nazi Germany and collaborators during World War II. Millions of others, including Roma, Poles, disabled individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, Soviet prisoners of war, and political dissidents, were also targeted; and

WHEREAS, The memory of the Holocaust serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of intolerance, bigotry, and hatred, and underscores the importance of promoting respect for human rights, equality, and the dignity of all people; and

WHEREAS, Antisemitism, including harassment on the basis of actual or perceived Jewish origin, ancestry, ethnicity, identity, affiliation or faith, remains a disturbingly persistent, pervasive and growing problem; and

WHEREAS, There has been a sharp rise in antisemitism and extremism this past year in Rhode Island, across the country, and around the world; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Rhode Island are encouraged to reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust and continue to work together to build a future that values the humanity of each individual, free of antisemitism, hatred and bigotry; and

WHEREAS, Survivors of the Holocaust, their families and their communities, as well as the organizations dedicated to preserving Holocaust history, serve as living testaments to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated; and

WHEREAS, Holocaust Remembrance Day calls for the education of future generations about the history and impact of the Holocaust, the importance of combating antisemitism, intolerance, and all forms of hate to ensure that never again means never again; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes January th of 2026, as “International Holocaust Remembrance Day”, a day of reflection and remembrance for the victims and survivors of the Holocaust. We moreover encourage the citizens of our State to participate in activities and educational programs that foster a deeper understanding of the Holocaust, its historical context, and the ongoing fight against hatred, discrimination, and antisemitism; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House hereby reaffirms its commitment to support survivors of the Holocaust and honor the legacy of those who perished in the Holocaust by ensuring that their memory endures for generations to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Rhode Island Holocaust Museum, the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island, the Jewish Community Center of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island Israel Collaborative.