This year marks the 81st anniversary since the start of the Holocaust.
Between 1933 and 1945, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party systematically slaughtered more than six million European Jews. This week the State Senate passed a resolution to observe “Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust” during the week of April 27 through May 4.
April 28 has been designated as a day of remembrance internationally.
State Sen. Mike Stack (D - Philadelphia) says Pennsylvanians should remain vigilant against all tyranny and bigotry.
“In remembering this indescribable tragedy we are reminded that we must make the effort to treat each other with mutual respect, despite any differences we might have,” said Stack.
State Sen. Andy Dinniman (D - Chester) says this resolution is meant to remind Pennsylvanians to always practice tolerance.
“Let us resolve each and everyone one of us and as a commonwealth that through education, through understanding and in the tradition of tolerance that was taught by our founder William Penn, that we will be able to eliminate genocide now in this commonwealth and throughout the world,” said Dinniman.
Dinniman urges that our public school system do more to educate the state’s youth about genocide, prejudice, and understanding.
Separate legislation that urges - but does not require - school districts to include instruction about the holocaust awaits action by the senate.
