Rep. Brown Statement on House and Senate Committee Approvals of Kol Israel Holocaust Memorial Bipartisan Bill

WASHINGTON – Rep. Shontel M. Brown (OH-11) issued the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved a bipartisan, bicameral bill to designate the Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial—located in Bedford Heights, Ohio—as a national memorial. Both bills now advance to the House and Senate Floors, respectively. Rep. Brown stated the following:

"The stories of millions of Holocaust victims and survivors are sadly fading treasures. These accounts ensure that we do not forget the horrors that befell world Jewry before and during World War II and remind us to remain ever vigilant in the face of rising antisemitism today,” said Rep. Brown. “I am pleased that House and Senate Committee panels are quickly moving to advance national designation of the historic Kol Israel Holocaust Memorial in honor of the six million Jews who were murdered by the Nazi regime. We must continue to honor their bravery, heroism, and lasting legacy."

 “The Kol Israel Memorial Foundation educates Ohioans about the horrors of the Holocaust and preserves the memories of its victims,” said Sen. Brown. “When we pass that knowledge on to future generations, we recommit ourselves to ensuring it never happens again, and to fighting for a more just and peaceful world. I am proud that Kol Israel is one step closer to becoming a national memorial.”

“We must never forget the horrors of the Holocaust and the enormous suffering endured by the Jewish people. The Kol Israel Holocaust Memorial was erected six decades ago in Northeast Ohio to honor the victims of the Holocaust and to serve as a lasting reminder of the evil that occurred,” said Senator Portman. “I am pleased our bipartisan, bicameral legislation to designate Kol Israel a National Memorial has been voted favorably out of committee and look forward to it coming to the Senate floor for a vote.”

“The Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial has stood as an enduring testament to the memories of the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. Now one step closer to its rightful designation as a national memorial, I look forward to working with the House and Senate to finally see this through,” said Congresswoman Kaptur.

“I’m proud to stand in solidarity with our Jewish community by supporting this legislation to designate the Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial as a national memorial,” said Congressman Ryan. “This designation will support the Foundation’s crucial and enduring work of preserving the memory of the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and serve as a solemn reminder of our obligation to speak out and act against hate and injustice. We must pass this important legislation now.”

“It is exciting to see our effort to designate the Kol Israel Memorial in Bedford Heights, Ohio, advance so quickly through the House and Senate,” said Rep. Beatty. “As we witness continued violence and unfettered destruction on the global political stage, the need to honor and remember victims of genocide is all the more pressing. National Holocaust education is vital if we hope to live up to the promise of ‘Never Again.’”

“I’m very pleased by the progress our bill has made in both the House and the Senate,” said Congressman Joyce. “By honoring the memory of the innocent men, women and children murdered during the Holocaust, our bill will ensure the next generation can continue to prevent anti-Semitism from taking root in our society. I urge all of our colleagues to support this important, bipartisan legislation when it is scheduled for a vote so that we can designate the Kol Israel Holocaust Memorial as a National Memorial and follow through on the promise of ‘Never Again.’” 

“This legislation is about so much more than elevating the designation for Ohio's own Kol Holocaust Memorial—it’s about elevating the memory of the 6 million people who perished and elevating our commitment to ensuring such atrocities will never be repeated, by educating future generations. I'm pleased to see this effort advance through the legislative process,” said Rep. Balderson.

“I applaud swift action by the U.S. House and Senate approving legislation to designate the Kol Israel Foundation Holocaust Memorial as a national memorial in Northeast Ohio,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “For over 60 years this monument has stood as a remembrance to the 6,000,000 Jews murdered during the holocaust, and I am pleased to see bipartisan action to ensure that it continues to for generations to come.”

“It is great to see the momentum grow behind our effort to designate the Kol Israel Foundation Memorial as a national memorial,” said Rep. Carey. “This memorial will not only honor the memory of the Jewish victims of the Holocaust, but educate future generations about the horrors carried out by the Nazi regime. I encourage all of my House colleagues to stand with our Jewish community and support this legislation.”

Background: 

In April, Rep. Brown introduced H.R. 7618 with cosponsors Reps. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Tim Ryan (OH-13), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Anthony Gonzalez (OH-16), and Mike Carey (OH-15). Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) led the companion legislation in the Senate with Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH).

Erected in 1961 by survivors of the Holocaust residing in Northeast Ohio, the Kol Israel Holocaust Memorial is likely the first and oldest Holocaust memorial in the U.S. For more than 60 years, the Kol Israel Foundation has looked after the memorial, which has the ashes of Jewish victims and other tokens of remembrance buried at its base.

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