WHEREAS, the Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945; and,

        WHEREAS, Jews were the Holocaust’s primary victims – six million were murdered; Gypsies, the handicapped and Poles also were targeted for racial, ethnic or national reasons while 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 the people of the State of Idaho should always remember the terrible events of the Holocaust and should remain vigilant against bigotry and tyranny; and,

        WHEREAS, we the people of the State of Idaho should continually rededicate ourselves to the principles of equality and justice for all; and,

        WHEREAS, the Days of Remembrance have been set aside for the people of the State of Idaho to remember the inhumanity of those who perpetrated the Holocaust as well as to reflect upon our own humanity and the need for respect of all peoples;

        NOW, THEREFORE, I, C.L. “Butch” Otter, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim the week of April 28 through May 2, 2008 to be

DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE WEEK

in Idaho, and invite all citizens to remember the victims, the survivors and their liberators, and encourage the citizens of Idaho to strive to overcome intolerance and indifference through learning and remembrance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise on this 16thday of April in the year of our Lord two-thousand and eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred thirty-second and of the Statehood of Idaho the one hundred eighteenth.

BEN YSURSA
SECRETARY OF STATE