LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the Yom HaShoah observance to be
held at Suffolk County Community College on May 5, 2011

WHEREAS, From 1933 to 1945, six million Jews, two-thirds of Europe's
Jewish population, were murdered during the Nazi Holocaust as part of a
systematic program of genocide; in Poland, the Jewish death toll
surpassed 90 percent and millions of people of other ethnic backgrounds
perished as well; and
WHEREAS, Jews who fell under German control in Eastern and Central
Europe were quickly stripped of their rights and property; many claims
on such property by survivors or their families remain unresolved six
decades later; and
WHEREAS, These facts remind us that the Holocaust represents the dark-
est period in the civilization of mankind and must be remembered in
order to prevent its recurrence anywhere in the world, just as we must
remain vigilant against all tyranny, recognizing that bigotry provides a
breeding ground for tyranny to flourish; and
WHEREAS, Those who survived the death camps tell us that as many
people walked to their deaths, their last words were "Remember Us";
their pleas encourage survivors to tell, record and write of their
stories, each of which is unique; and
WHEREAS, Though year-round, we do remember and try to teach and inform
others about the horrors of the Holocaust, for more than 60 years Jews
around the world have observed Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day,
on the 27th day of the month of Nisan; on this one day we remember in a
special way those that suffered, those that fought, and those that died;
and
WHEREAS, This year, Yom HaShoah is being observed on Monday, May 2,
2011; many throughout New York State and our great nation will observe
Yom HaShoah with programs and services throughout the week emblematic of
this important day of remembrance and of the belief that education leads
to tolerance; and
WHEREAS, Many too, as individuals and as communities, will light
candles reminding us of our vow to never forget the lives of the Jewish
men, women, and children who are symbolized by their flame, especially
those for whom there is no one to say kaddish; and
WHEREAS, This year the members of the New York State Legislature from
Suffolk County and the members of the Suffolk County Legislature in
partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Long Island
will proudly host the Yom HaShoah observance to be held at Suffolk Coun-
ty Community College on Thursday evening, May 5, 2011; and
WHEREAS, This Holocaust Remembrance Day observance will be held at the
Suffolk Center on the Holocaust, Diversity and Human Understanding, Inc.
in the Huntington Library at the College in Selden, New York; and
WHEREAS, Holocaust survivor and Suffolk County resident Mordechai
Miller of East Northport is also being honored during the observance;
born in a small town in Poland, Mr. Miller was eight years old when
World War II broke out; the Jews of his town were slaughtered but Morde-
chai managed to escape and go into hiding; miraculously, he and his
entire immediate family survived the war; and
WHEREAS, Arriving in the United States in 1957, Mordechai Miller
married and raised a wonderful family which, happily, now includes his
wife, four children, and six grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, the following Suffolk County youth are being
recognized and commended for working to create a more civil society:
Kristina Napoli, Ross Belloff, Rana Ibrahem, Lee Gochman, Dana Shanon,
Jamie Radhaykissoon, Margaret Frodell, Jehremy Ivey-Sands, Daniel Thomp-

son, Alicia Hamilton, Ariella Reichman, Sandi Katz, Michael Manniello,
Nolan Conway, Carley Weinstein, Ilana Weinstein, Lauren Franko, Jeremy
Nezaria, Staci Rosen and Raquel Sosnovich; and
WHEREAS, Knowing that the events and root causes of the Holocaust must
not be forgotten and that, particularly as survivors diminish in number,
links must be forged to educate future generations, this Legislative
Body is moved to commemorate the observance of Yom HaShoah and to
commend all those in Suffolk County and elsewhere who do so; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the Yom HaShoah observance to be held at Suffolk County
Community College on May 5, 2011 and to honor all those being recognized
during the ceremony; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Suffolk Center on the Holocaust, Diversity and Human
Understanding at Suffolk County Community College, to Mordechai Miller,
and to each of the aforementioned student honorees.