Georgia CommonsSR 36: International Holocaust Remembrance Day; recognize January 27, 2025
Last action January 27, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted
A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes January 27, 2025 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day and reaffirms the state's commitment to combating antisemitism.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the resolution and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Enrolled version, the latest LegiScan holds.
In plain language
This resolution marks January 27, 2025, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Georgia. It honors the memory of the six million Jews and millions of other victims who died in the Holocaust and references the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas as evidence that antisemitism remains a serious threat. The resolution also notes that the Georgia General Assembly previously adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into state law through House Bill 30. It does not create new law or fund any program; it formally states the Senate's recognition of the day and its opposition to antisemitism and hate, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press.
What the bill does
- Formally recognizes January 27, 2025 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in the State of Georgia.
- States the Senate's condemnation of all forms of antisemitism and hate.
- References the state's prior adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism through House Bill 30.
- Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
Who it affects
This resolution primarily affects the Georgia Senate's official record and public messaging. It speaks to Jewish communities in Georgia, schools, and public institutions, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute copies to the public and press.
Why it matters
Because this is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not change any Georgia law or create enforceable requirements. Its practical effect is symbolic: an official statement from the Senate acknowledging the Holocaust's history and current concerns about antisemitism in Georgia.
Key provisions
- The resolution recites historical background, including the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.
- It references House Bill 30, which previously adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism into Georgia law.
- The resolving clause designates January 27, 2025 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day and expresses condemnation of antisemitism and hate.
- A final clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make copies available for distribution to the public and the press.
From the bill
“the Georgia General Assembly took a critical step in combating antisemitism by passing House Bill 30 during the previous legislative session, formally adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into Georgia law”
“the members of this body recognize January 27, 2025, as International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Georgia, honor the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, condemn all forms of antisemitism and hate”
Status timeline
- Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
- Senate Hopper (Senate)
Sponsors
- Sonya Halpern (D, SD-039)
- Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)
- Harold Jones (D, SD-022)
- Michael Rhett (D, SD-033)
- Nan Orrock (D, SD-036)
- Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)
- Elena Parent (D, SD-044)
- Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
- Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
- Sally Harrell (D, SD-040)
- Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
- Clint Dixon (R, SD-045)
- John Albers (R, SD-056)
Topics
- Holocaust remembrance
- antisemitism
- Georgia Senate resolutions
- Jewish community