CONTACT: Kristen Davis (727) 820-0100 kdavis@thefhm.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Florida Holocaust Museum's Statement on the Never Again Education Act MAY 30, 2020 [St. Petersburg, FL] -- The Florida Holocaust Museum's Executive Director, Elizabeth Gelman and Board Chair Michael Igel, have issued a correction to the following statement, originally issued on May 28, 2020. The corrected statement is: With bipartisan action from the US House and Senate, and with support from hundreds of organizations throughout the United States, the Never Again Education Act, which will provide federal funding to help give teachers across the country the necessary resources to teach about the Holocaust in their classrooms. was signed into law on Thursday by President Trump. Many thanks to Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) as well as Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for introducing the bill in the House and the Senate. Thank you to the more than 300 members of Congress who cosponsored the legislation and the congresspeople who voted. They, too understand the importance and relevance of Holocaust education today for every student throughout the United States. It is no surprise that one of Florida's senators would be part of the team of committed congressmen who introduced the bill. Florida has always been a leader in Holocaust education. In 1994, The Florida Holocaust Museum and its founder, Walter Loebenberg, played a key role in establishing Required Instruction for Holocaust education, making Florida one of the first states to mandate that Holocaust education be taught in the classroom. At the beginning of this school year, Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran began his term by communicating the importance of Holocaust education to Florida school districts. A few months later, we were gratified to see the Florida Legislature show extraordinary vision in passing legislation that made Florida the first state to hold each school district accountable for providing highquality Holocaust instruction throughout the state. We teach about the Holocaust because it is the clearest example of where unchecked hatred and prejudice can lead. We believe that teaching students about the Holocaust is the best way to ensure the legacy and memory of our Survivors is never forgotten, and the important lessons of the Holocaust are passed down to subsequent generations.
On behalf of The Florida Holocaust Museum, our community, and those who are no longer with us, many thanks to our national and state leaders for their commitment to quality Holocaust education for all students. Elizabeth Gelman
Michael Igel
Executive Director
Board Chair
About The Florida Holocaust Museum One of the largest Holocaust museums in the country, and one of three nationally accredited Holocaust museums, The FHM honors the memory of millions of men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. For additional information, please visit www.TheFHM.org.
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The Florida Holocaust Museum, 55 Fifth Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701