MENENDEZ REINTRODUCES HOLOCAUST AWARENESS BILL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2007

CONTACT:
Allyn Brooks-LaSure (Menendez) 202-224-4744
Joseph Soldevere (Maloney) 212-860-0606


MENENDEZ REINTRODUCES HOLOCAUST AWARENESS BILL

Legislation, sponsored in the House by Rep. Maloney, would increase federal support for Holocaust education programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today reintroduced bi-partisan legislation that would help increase awareness of the Holocaust. The Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Act, which has also been introduced in the House by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), would give a boost to programs and institutions that teach about the Holocaust and its lessons.

Under the legislation, educational institutions would be able to receive federal grants to educate about the Holocaust. The bill is named in honor of Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor who devoted his life to seeking justice for the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis.

“The Holocaust occurred a few short decades ago, yet there are some who deny it’s very existence,” said Menendez. “Teaching our children about this blight on human history will both honor the memory of those who perished and inspire future generations to fight against similar tragedies. I appreciate Representative Maloney’s leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to join us in making this legislation a reality.”

“The best way to promote tolerance and unity is to learn the important lessons of one of history’s darkest hours,” said Maloney. “Simon Wiesenthal’s work was an inspiration, and we are working to carry on his mission. I applaud Senator Menendez for reintroducing this bill, and I look forward to continuing our work to make this bill law.”

The Wiesenthal Act authorizes $10 million in federal funds over 5 years to help educational organizations bolster their Holocaust education programs, many of which suffer from a lack of resources. Co-sponsors include Senators Arlen Spector (R-PA) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ).

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