Reps. Moss, Wittenberg, Schor, Callton, Cochran, Crawford, Driskell, Faris, Franz, Geiss, Greig, Hovey-Wright, Howrylak, Hughes, Jenkins, LaFontaine, Lauwers, LaVoy, Leutheuser, Liberati, Maturen, Pagan, Phelps, Plawecki, Pscholka, Sarah Roberts, Singh, Tedder, Theis, Webber, Whiteford and Yanez offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 283.

A resolution to declare May 4, 2016, as Holocaust Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, The Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators during the years 1933 through 1945, resulting in the extermination of six million Jews and their potential decedents; and

Whereas, The world’s Jewish population was reduced by one-third. 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 horror of the Holocaust should never be forgotten and shall serve as a painful reminder of the international community’s failure to protect the innocent and oppressed; and

Whereas, Even when the goodness of mankind was in question, there were individuals who selflessly risked their lives in order to save others from the evils of Nazi Germany; and

Whereas, The history of the Holocaust offers an opportunity to reflect on the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments; and serves as an important reminder of what can happen to civilized people when bigotry, hatred, and indifference reign; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 4, 2016, as Holocaust Remembrance Day in the state of Michigan; 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 the terrible events of the Holocaust and strive to overcome intolerance and indifference through learning and remembrance.