Authorizing the Use of Emancipation Hall for A Ceremony As Part of the Commemoration of the Days of Remembrance of Victims of the Holocaust

Floor Speech

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 25) authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.

The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows: H. Con. Res. 25

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), SECTION 1. USE OF EMANCIPATION HALL FOR A CEREMONY AS PART OF THE COMMEMORATION OF THE DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST.

(a) Authorization.--Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center is authorized to be used on April 20, 2023, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.

(b) Preparations.--Physical preparations for the ceremony described in subsection (a) shall be carried out in accordance with such conditions as the Architect of the Capitol may prescribe.

Every year, the United States joins the world in observing days of remembrance in connection with victims of the Holocaust.

The United States Holocaust Museum has organized and led the national Days of Remembrance ceremony in the United States Capitol since 1982. This event brings together Holocaust survivors, liberators, Members of Congress, White House officials, and community leaders.

As with previous years, the Museum is again requesting access to utilize the House's Emancipation Hall.

Today, the House will consider a resolution led by my colleague, Congressman David Kustoff, that authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall for a ceremony on April 20.

As part of the Days of Remembrance of victims of the Holocaust, their planned programming in our Halls will be dedicated to the millions of voices, hopes, and dreams that were silenced by Nazi Germany.

Their programming will reflect the struggle to retain dignity and humanity in the face of unimaginable terror and violence. It will also highlight their stories of defiance, resistance, resilience, that remind us of what is possible in moments of unfathomable crisis.

I hope that today we can unanimously pass this legislation and approve their use of the Emancipation Hall.

I commend the continuous efforts of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and I can think of no better space to honor the lives lost and the battles fought than here in the people's House. We must never forget.

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I would note to my colleague and the ranking member on the Committee on House Administration, Mr. Morelle, I appreciate his work on this.

In regards to the question why we are bringing this to the floor for a vote, I think it is just a moment in time to reflect on the importance of the issue at hand and to really appreciate and understand the horrors that occurred during the Holocaust.

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I agree with my colleague, the ranking member. As we see a rise in anti-Semitism, now is the time to remember how that can take us in this world down a dark path, and no darker path than the Holocaust.

I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. D'Esposito).

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, I urge strong bipartisan and unanimous support for H. Con. Res. 25 today on the House floor, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. STEIL. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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