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5/3/2024
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Deputy Whip Ackerman commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day
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 STATE HOUSE — House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman introduced a resolution commemorating Holocaust Remembrance Day during yesterday’s House session.
“Holocaust Remembrance Day, Yom Hashoah, is a solemn day of remembrance honoring the victims of the Holocaust and those who showed resistance and amazing heroism during this horrendous period in our world history,” said Representative Ackerman (D-Dist. 45, Cumberland, Lincoln). “The reason why I do this every year - every single year - is so that we never forget. We never forget these atrocities. My fear is that many have forgotten, here and around the world. It appears that history may be repeating itself.”
Representative Ackerman also related several incidents of anti-Semitism experienced by Jewish students recently in the United States that mirror similar incidents leading up to the Holocaust.
The resolution (2024-H 8230) was read and passed by the House.
Representative Ackerman also invited Rep. Alex S. Finkelman (D-Dist. 74, Jamestown, Middletown) to share the story of his great-uncle Ben, who grew up in Poland. When he was about 30, Ben, his wife, and their baby were captured by Nazis and forced to dig their own graves. Nazis lined them up and shot them. Ben miraculously survived and managed to escape later that night, but his wife and baby did not. After escaping, Ben fought in the Russian resistance before eventually making his way to Canada and then the United States.
“I tell this story so that you don't forget, so it doesn't happen again,” said Representative Finkelman.
IN PHOTO: House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman.
For more information, contact:
Tristan Grau, Publicist
State House Room B20
Providence, RI 02903
401.222.4935
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