Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust

WHEREAS, from 1933 to 1945 the Nazis waged a war of annihilation – the Holocaust – systematically murdering six million Jewish men, women and children in a program of deliberate genocide; and

WHEREAS, the Nazis also targeted other persons for destruction including political and religious dissenters, Gypsies, homosexuals, the handicapped, and prisoners of war; and

WHEREAS, 2011 marks the 66th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps by the Allied Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, the importance of teaching today’s children about this horrific event reminds us all of our solemn duty to keep alive the memory of the millions who perished during the Holocaust; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Virginia should continue to fight against oppression and incivility everywhere, and rededicate themselves to the principle of equal justice under the law for all people; and

WHEREAS, Virginians should remain eternally vigilant against all tyranny, and recognize that bigotry provides a breeding ground for tyranny to flourish; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Holocaust Museum, located in Richmond, Virginia, provides all Virginians with the opportunity to learn about this tragic chapter in our shared history; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to an Act of Congress (Public Law 96-388, October 7, 1980) the United States Holocaust Memorial Council designates Sunday, May 1, 2011 through Sunday, May 8, 2011, including the Day of Remembrance known as Yom Hashoah, May 1, 2011;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize May 1-8, 2011 as DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

http://www.governor.virginia.gov/OurCommonwealth/Proclamations/2011/HolocaustVictims.cfm