WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the leading Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today released the following statement regarding Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah.

“Today, I am honored to add my voice in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah. The Holocaust claimed the lives of 11 million people, including six million Jews, and with each passing year it becomes increasingly important to keep alive the memory of those who perished. We must ensure that ‘never again’ is a reality. It is also important that we remember those who fought back for humanity, such as the brave men and women who rose up against the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto in 1943.

“Seven decades later, the scourge of anti-Semitism still exists throughout the world. This is evidenced by the recent attacks against Jewish establishments and religious sites in Paris and Copenhagen, as well as anti-Semitic attacks inside the United States. Many of us have spoken out about this unacceptable situation for years, but we must reinforce our words with actions. There is no room for such bigotry and violent intolerance in today’s society.

“Let this day of remembrance, Yom HaShoah, strengthen our resolve to fight anti-Semitism worldwide. We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent, and we must continue to raise our voice against anti-Semitism, wherever it might arise. Sadly, every year there are fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors among us. We must take up their mantle, educate our youth, and tell their stories. Otherwise, there is a far greater risk of history repeating itself. Today, I remember the victims of the Holocaust, and I say ‘never again’.”

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