NYS Legislature Passes Fahy, Romero Legislation to Create New York State Holocaust Memorial on Empire State Plaza

ALBANY, N.Y. — Senator Patricia Fahy (D—Albany) and Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero (D,WF—Albany, Guilderland, New Scotland) announced today that their legislation (S.5784/A.7614) to establish a permanent New York State Holocaust Memorial in the Empire State Plaza has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature. This represents a long-term effort which began with the original site for a Capital Region Holocaust Memorial site planned in the Town of Niskayuna. The bill now heads to Governor Hochul’s desk for her signature.

The Holocaust was a systematic, state-sponsored persecution carried out by the Nazi regime, its allies, and collaborators, leading to the deaths of millions of Jews and other peoples. This monument aims to honor the victims and pay tribute to those who survived the atrocities of the Holocaust. It is intended to offer visitors an opportunity to reflect on the lessons learned from this dark chapter in history and to inspire them to uphold their responsibilities as members of society, fostering the strength to stand against injustice and intolerance.

“When we say ‘Never Again’, we need to act in order for those words to have meaning,” said Senator Patricia Fahy. “Creating a dedicated Holocaust Memorial where survivors, family members, and our broader community can gather to reflect and remember will memorialize the six million Jews and millions of others who died at the hands of the Nazis, fascism, and the Banality of Evil. I’m proud that our legislation creating the New York State Holocaust Memorial has passed both houses and look forward to seeing this Memorial become a reality.”

“As the eldest survivors grow older, preserving and sharing their stories – while honoring the memory of those lost – is more important than ever,” said Assemblymember Gabriella Romero. “We must learn from the tragedies of history and recognize those dark times so that we continue to fight prejudice and intolerance moving forward. This memorial will be a tribute to the lives lost, but it is also a testament to the survivors who are still teaching and inspiring us.”

While New York State has the highest population of Jewish people outside of Israel, there is currently no state-sponsored Holocaust Memorial anywhere in New York State. Romero and Fahy’s legislation aims to create an educational memorial in the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza to not only memorialize victims, but also teach New Yorkers about the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and intolerance. Adding this memorial to the New York State State Museum property gives students and tourists visiting New York State's Capitol the opportunity to learn the lessons of Jewish history.

“The Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc. commends Assemblymember Romero and Senator Fahy for this legislation to establish a New York State Holocaust Memorial at the Empire State Plaza,” said Daniel Dembling, President of the Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial, Inc. “Since our organization’s founding, we have been dedicated to creating a permanent space in the Capital Region to honor the victims of the Holocaust and educate future generations. At a time when antisemitism and hate are on the rise, it is more critical than ever to provide students and the public with the tools to understand the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred. This memorial will serve as a powerful reminder and an essential educational resource for New Yorkers and visitors alike.”

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