The ADL Mountain States Region thanks Governor Jared Polis for his proclamation declaring April 24-30, 2022 as Holocaust Remembrance Week in Colorado. View the proclamation here. The full text of the proclamation follows.

PROCLAMATION:

WHEREAS, the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was a tragic genocide where approximately six million Jews and five million other persons were systematically killed by the Nazi regime and its collaborators between 1939 and 1945; and

WHEREAS, the legacy of the Holocaust provides occasion to reflect on the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments; and

WHEREAS, we should remain forever vigilant against hatred, persecution, and tyranny; and

WHEREAS, in a time of increased antisemitism and Holocaust denial we should be ever more vigilant in ensuring that students are educated about these crimes against humanity; and

WHEREAS, the United States Congress has established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, as the time set aside to honor all its victims, survivors, and liberators, and as a reflection on the importance of dignity and respect for all persons; and

WHEREAS, the Claims Conference, also known as the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, has provided approximately $90 billion in compensation and restitution for Holocaust Survivors; in 2021 the Conference directly compensated 260,000 survivors in 83 countries and provided grants to over 300 social service agencies; and

WHEREAS, Jewish Family Service of Colorado, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, is the official disbursement agency assisting Colorado Holocaust Survivors in receiving restitution from the Claims Conference; and

WHEREAS, we echo the words of Coretta Scott King, author, activist, civil rights leader and wife of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members”;

THEREFORE, I, Jared Polis, Governor of the State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim, the period of time between April 24, 2022 and April 30, 2022 as

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE WEEK in the State of Colorado.

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this twenty-fourth day of April, 2022

Jared Polis
Governor