LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the opening of an exhibit at The
Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County recognizing the
life and heroic actions of Aristides de Sousa Mendes

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the
lives of those esteemed individuals of world renown who distinguished
themselves through their life's work; and
WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary individuals of remarkable courage and strength of charac-
ter who risked their own lives for others, and stood with fortitude for
freedom and humanity; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate
the opening of an exhibit at The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center
of Nassau County recognizing the life and heroic actions of Aristides de
Sousa Mendes; this auspicious occasion will be held on Sunday, February
6, 2011, at The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
in Glen Cove, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County
in Glen Cove, New York, is Long Island's preeminent institution dedi-
cated solely to the teaching of the Holocaust and its implications for
all of us; and
WHEREAS, On Sunday, February 6, 2011, The Holocaust Memorial and
Tolerance Center of Nassau County will celebrate the opening of an
exhibit entitled, "These Are My People" - The Story of Aristides de
Sousa Mendes; it interweaves the story of Aristides de Sousa Mendes with
that of the refugees, while chronicling major events of World War II;
and
WHEREAS, The late Aristides de Sousa Mendes (1885-1954), is credited
with saving an estimated 30,000 lives in 1940 when, as a Portuguese
diplomat in Bordeaux, France, he ignored and defied the orders of his
own government to assure the safety of war refugees fleeing from invad-
ing German military forces in the early years of World War II; and
WHEREAS, Inspired in part by his friendship with Rabbi Chaim (Haim)
Kruger, Aristides de Sousa Mendes deliberately disobeyed his orders not
to issue visas to "foreigners of indefinite or contested nationality;
the stateless; or Jews expelled from their countries of origin"; despite
these orders, he issued 30,000 visas to Jews and other persecuted minor-
ities, political dissidents, army officers from occupied countries, and
priests and nuns; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Aristides de Sousa Mendes was posthumously declared
"Righteous Among Nations" by Yad Vashem; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals whose lives and accomplishments are of remarkable, historic and
heroic significance are brought to our attention, they should be cele-
brated and recognized by all the citizens of the great State of New
York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the opening of an exhibit at The Holocaust Memorial and Toler-
ance Center of Nassau County recognizing the life and heroic actions of
Aristides de Sousa Mendes; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County,
100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove, New York 11542.