Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 87
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-07T16:42:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 87) aims to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp on January 27, 1945, and to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day, established by the United Nations in 2005. It seeks to honor the victims of the Holocaust, educate the public on its horrors, promote tolerance, and address the rise in anti-Semitism.
Key Provisions
The resolution includes a series of "Whereas" clauses providing historical context and then outlines specific actions for the House of Representatives in its "Resolved" section:
- Remembering victims: Calls on all Americans to recall the approximately 1,100,000 people murdered at Auschwitz (including about 960,000 Jews and over 100,000 from other groups such as Poles, Romani people, Soviet prisoners, and others) as part of the broader Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews and millions more.
- Honoring survivors: Recognizes the legacy of Holocaust and Auschwitz survivors, noting that only about 220,000 remain alive and emphasizing the need to preserve their stories.
- Promoting tolerance and justice: Urges Americans to work toward tolerance, peace, and justice while striving to end genocide and persecution.
- Combating anti-Semitism: Recommits the House to fighting all forms of anti-Semitism, highlighting recent increases in incidents (e.g., over 10,000 since October 2023 and a 63% rise from 2022 to 2023 per FBI data) and events like the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue attack.
It also acknowledges the role of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in educating the public.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution expressing the sense of the House of Representatives, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It builds on prior recognitions, such as the UN's designation of January 27 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day, but does not amend any legal framework.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Encourages greater public awareness and education about the Holocaust to prevent intolerance and anti-Semitism, potentially fostering community discussions and school programs on human rights.
- On government agencies: May indirectly support efforts by agencies like the FBI (in tracking hate crimes) or the Department of Education (in promoting Holocaust education), but has no enforceable requirements.
- On international relations: Reinforces U.S. alignment with global Holocaust remembrance efforts, such as those by the United Nations, and signals solidarity with allies like Poland and Israel amid rising global anti-Semitism, though it has no direct diplomatic effects.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Holocaust survivors and victims' families: Directly honored, with emphasis on preserving their stories.
- Jewish community and other targeted groups: Benefits from commitments to combat anti-Semitism and recognize diverse victims (e.g., Romani people, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities).
- Educators and museums: Supports institutions like the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in their educational roles.
- General public and youth: Targeted for awareness to prevent future injustices.
- U.S. House of Representatives: Adopts this as an official position, influencing legislative priorities on hate crimes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it requires only a House majority vote and does not need Senate approval or presidential signature, making it a low-threshold way to express collective sentiment without creating enforceable law.
- Constitutional: Aligns with First Amendment protections for free speech and assembly, allowing Congress to commemorate historical events and promote civic education without infringing on individual rights.
- Political: Serves as a bipartisan statement (introduced by members from both parties) against rising anti-Semitism, potentially shaping future legislation on hate crimes or foreign aid related to human rights. It underscores the U.S. role in Holocaust memory amid contemporary global tensions, but remains symbolic rather than prescriptive.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-01-31: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2025-01-31: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and International Holocaust Remembrance Day. — issued 2025-01-31 — PDF (4 pages)