Illinois Marks $15 Million US Contribution to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation in Poland at Museum

SKOKIE, IL – Today, the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center welcomed the Polish Consul General, Zygmunt Matynia, and three members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation, Reps. Luis V. Gutierrez, Jan Schakowsky and Mike Quigley at an event to mark a $15 million grant to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation to preserve the memory of the Holocaust. The grant, announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in July, resulted in part from a Congressional effort, led by Rep. Gutierrez, to urge the President and the Secretary to fund the preservation of the museum marking the epicenter of the Holocaust.

“We all have a shared international interest and responsibility in ensuring that the history and lessons of the Holocaust and other acts of genocide are preserved so that future atrocities may be prevented,” Richard Hirschhaut, executive director, Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center said. “These funds will help preserve one of the most widely recognized symbols of the Holocaust. Today, we are honored to host these visionary leaders who are committed to educating and informing many generations of people of the injustice and horror of the Holocaust and honor the U.S. commitment to the preservation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp.”   Read More >


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News Coverage >

Sun Times | Gutierrez, Quigley, Schakowsky to mark Auschwitz-Birkenau grant at Illinois Holocaust Museum ceremony  Read Online >

Pioneer Local | Illinois helps preserve sacred Nazi death camp  Read Online >

JTA | Illinois Holocaust Museum marks State Department Grant  Read Online >

Historic Holocaust site to be preserved  Read Online >