25 LC 112 2706
House Resolution 50
By: Representative Silcox of the 53
rd
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day; and for other
1
purposes.2
WHEREAS, the Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation3
of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945, resulting4
in the murder of six million Jews as well as the oppression and deaths of millions of others,5
including Roma, people with disabilities, and Poles; and6
WHEREAS, in 1998, HB 1664 was passed by the Georgia state legislature, establishing the7
Georgia Commission on the Holocaust as a permanent state agency charged with creating8
educational programs for Georgia citizens and operating as a secular, non-partisan entity; and9
WHEREAS, the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust is tasked with preserving the10
memory of the Holocaust, promoting public understanding of its history, and reminding11
citizens to remain vigilant against hatred, racism, antisemitism, persecution, and genocide;12
and13
H. R. 50
- 1 - 25 LC 112 2706
WHEREAS, January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, is
14
observed as International Holocaust Remembrance Day to memorialize the six million15
Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution; and16
WHEREAS, January 27, 2025, marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz,17
a critical time to honor the victims, survivors, and liberators while recognizing the lessons18
of Holocaust history amidst an alarming global rise in antisemitism; and19
WHEREAS, located in German-occupied Poland, Auschwitz consisted of three camps,20
including Birkenau, a killing center where over a million victims were systematically21
murdered by individuals and professionals involved in its operation; and22
WHEREAS, trains carrying Jews from across Nazi-occupied and allied Europe regularly23
arrived at Auschwitz, where its leadership and workers conducted these systematic killings24
over nearly five years; and25
WHEREAS, in mid-January 1945, as Soviet forces approached Auschwitz, SS units forcibly26
evacuated nearly 60,000 prisoners on death marches under brutal winter conditions, resulting27
in thousands of deaths from starvation, exposure, and violence; and28
WHEREAS, on January 27, 1945, the Soviet army liberated Auschwitz, freeing the29
remaining 7,000 prisoners, many of whom were sick and dying, and ending the camp's30
operation; and31
H. R. 50
- 2 - 25 LC 112 2706
WHEREAS, we, the people of Georgia, join communities throughout the world in
32
commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day and honoring the victims,33
survivors, and liberators of the Holocaust.34
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that35
the members of this body recognize January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust36
Remembrance Day.37
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized38
and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for distribution to the39
public and the press.40
H. R. 50
- 3 -