2023 Senate Resolution 34

Whereas, The horrors of the Holocaust should never be forgotten. The Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators from 1933-1945; and

Whereas, The Holocaust resulted in the extermination of six million Jews and their potential decedents. The world’s Jewish population was reduced by one-third; and

Whereas, Poland, home to the largest Jewish community before World War II, lost 90 percent of its Jewish population. Greece, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Lithuania, Bohemia, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Latvia each lost more than 70 percent of their Jewish population; and

Whereas, Millions more suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi tyranny based on their religion, including Catholic priests, Christian pastors, and Jehovah’s Witnesses; their national origin, including Poles, Soviets, Ukrainians and Sorbs; their ethnicity and culture, including the Romani people; their political beliefs, including courageous resisters and government dissidents; their physical appearance, including those with disabilities; and their sexual orientation and gender identity; and

Whereas, The history of the Holocaust allows us to reflect on the moral and ethical responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments. It also serves as an important reminder of what can happen when we allow bigotry, hatred, and indifference to enter and conquer our societies; and

Whereas, Conspiracies, hatred, and acts of cruelty against Jews still persist today. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported that antisemitic incidents increased 36 percent in 2022, including an increase in assaults by 26 percent, harassment by 29 percent, and acts of vandalism by 52 percent. This data amounts to the highest level of antisemitism the ADL tracked since 1979; and

Whereas, The enduring legacy of the Holocaust is to accept and embrace the contributions of diverse populations so that extreme fringes of bigotry and discrimination cannot escalate into horrors of violence and genocide. These lessons must not expire; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan, through PA 170 of 2016, requires that the social studies curriculum for grades 8 to 12 includes age- and grade-appropriate instruction about genocide so students learn about past atrocities, factually and comprehensively. This education provides future generations the tools to ensure the evils in history are not repeated; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize April 18, 2023, as Holocaust Remembrance Day; and be it further

Resolved, That in honor of the victims of the Holocaust, the survivors, and their liberators, the citizens of Michigan should reflect upon this terrible event and strive to overcome hatred and intolerance through learning and remembrance.