Congressman Dan Goldman Commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day

Delivers Speech on House Floor

Cosponsors Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act

Read the Bill Here

Video of the Floor speech is available here.

Video of the HEAL Act announcement is available here.

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today commemorated International Holocaust Remembrance Day by delivering a speech on the House floor to highlight the uncomfortable reality that we as a nation are not adequately passing on the lessons of the Holocaust, and by cosponsoring the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act.  
 
“We often say the words ‘Never Forget,’ but in recent years it has become increasingly clear that too many have forgotten the worst genocide in history,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we must acknowledge the uncomfortable reality that we as a country are not adequately passing the critical lessons from the Holocaust to the next generations. And with antisemitism on the rise across the nation, the consequences could not be more serious. Today, I urge each of us take a moment to reflect – to confront our past and to acknowledge the work that must be done in the future to make sure we truly never forget.”
 
Goldman continued, "Today was also marked by a tragic mass shooting in a Jerusalem synagogue, reminding us that we must turn the tide of hate, not only here at home, but around the world. My heart hurts for the victims of this tragedy and their families.”  
 
Congressman Goldman Delivers Floor Speech  
 
A rush transcript of the Congressman’s remarks on the Floor is available below:
 
“We often say the words, ‘Never Forget.’  
 
“’Never forget the worst genocide in history,’ we say.  
 
“Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we must acknowledge the uncomfortable reality that we as a country are not adequately passing the critical lessons from the Holocaust to the next generations.  
 
“As a Representative of Borough Park in Brooklyn, the largest population of Holocaust survivors and their families in the country, and as one of only two proud American Jews from New York State, this is deeply personal to me and my constituents.
 
“We must continue to educate the next generations of Americans to understand the importance of the Holocaust so that it is not lost and that we never forget.  
 
“I would like to stand here and read the names of my neighbors, those in my community, who lost family and other loved ones in the Holocaust, but that list is just far too long.
 
“So instead, I ask that each of us take a moment to reflect today, to confront our past and to acknowledge the work that must be done in the future to make sure that we truly never forget.  
 
“I yield back.”
 
Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL) Act
 
There is mounting evidence that knowledge about the Holocaust is beginning to fade. A 2020 survey measuring Holocaust awareness in the U.S. found that roughly two-thirds of those asked did not know how many Jewish people died. The survey of Americans between 18 and 40 also found that 48% could not name one concentration camp or ghetto.  
 
According to recent analysis, a majority of U.S. states do not have laws requiring public school students to learn about the horrors of the Holocaust.
 
The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) most recent Audit of Antisemitic Incidents (2021) captured more than 2,700 incidents throughout the U.S. — a 34% increase from 2020 and the highest number on record since ADL began tracking these events in 1979.
 
The Bipartisan HEAL Act would require the Department of Education to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in states, local educational agencies, and public elementary and secondary schools. It would:

1. Determine whether states and local educational agencies require Holocaust education as part of the curriculum;
2. Identify states and local educational agencies that have optional Holocaust education as part of the curriculum; 
3. Identify each state's standards and local educational agency's requirements relating to Holocaust education, and summarize the execution of said mandates; 
4. Determine whether public schools use certain qualitative and quantitative strategies in their Holocaust education; 
5. Identify the types of instructional materials used to teach students about the Holocaust; 
6. Identify the duration and comprehensiveness of any Holocaust-related courses/lessons provided by public schools; 
7. Identify the approaches used by schools to assess outcomes; and 
8. Report to Congress with results of the study. 

A study from the federal government will provide much needed clarity on ways to improve and expand Holocaust education for future generations.
 
The bipartisan bill is led by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and co-led by Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

###