Proclamation

WHEREAS,     The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. Jews were the primary victims – six million were murdered; Gypsies, the handicapped, and Poles were also targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic, or national reasons. Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war and political dissidents, also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi tyranny; and

WHEREAS,     The history of the Holocaust offers an opportunity to reflect on the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments; and

WHEREAS,     We should always remember the terrible events of the Holocaust and remain vigilant against hatred, persecution, and tyranny, and

WHEREAS,     We should actively rededicate ourselves to the principles of individual freedom in a just society; and

WHEREAS,     The Days of Remembrance have been set aside for the people of the City of to remember the victims of the Holocaust as well as to reflect on the need for respect of all peoples; and

WHEREAS,     Pursuant to an Act of Congress the United States Holocaust Memorial Council designates the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust to be Sunday, April 27 through Sunday, May 4, 2008 including the Day of Remembrance known as Yom Hashoah, May 2.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, JERRY GIST, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE, AND JIMMY HARRIS, MAYOR OF MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, APRIL 27, THROUGH SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2008 AS

Days of Remembrance

in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and in honor of the survivors, as well as the rescuers and liberators, and further proclaim that we should strive to overcome intolerance and indifference through learning and remembrance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF WE HEREUNTO SET OUR HANDS AND CAUSE THE SEALS OF THE CITY OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE AND MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE TO BE AFFIXED THIS 27TH DAY OF APRIL, 2008.

___________________________                              _____________________________

JERRY GIST, MAYOR                                            JIMMY HARRIS, MAYOR

CITY OF JACKSON, TENNESSEE                        MADISON COUNTY, TENNESSEE