NEW YORK – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), sponsor of H.R.943, the Never Again Education Act, released the following statement after the legislation was signed into law on May 29. The Never Again Education Act supports Holocaust education across the country by bolstering the already expansive educational resources at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). 

“The bipartisan Never Again Education Act is finally law. I’m proud our country has come together to make clear that antisemitism cannot and should not be tolerated. Our children are not born with hate in their hearts, and by providing educators with the tools they need to teach about the Holocaust, we can ensure they never learn it. Teaching our children about the dangers of antisemitism and hate is a proactive way to stop antisemitism before it even starts.” 

H.R.943 passed in the House of Representatives by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 393-5 on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent on May 13.  

Background 

H.R. 943 Bill Summary: 

·         Expands the US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s education programming to teachers across the country, requiring the Museum to develop and disseminate accurate, relevant, and accessible resources to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust and educate individuals on the lessons of the Holocaust as a means to promote the importance of preventing genocide, hate, and bigotry against any group of people. 

·         Funding will support and expand a centralized website maintained by the Holocaust Museum where educators can find curriculum materials. Funding through this bill may also be used to support teachers in bringing the lessons of the Holocaust into their classrooms in other ways, including developing, disseminating, and implementing  principles of sound pedagogy, increasing engagement with state and local education leaders to encourage the adoption of these resources, and evaluating and assessing the effectiveness and impact of Holocaust education programs. 

·         Funding may also be used to support an expansion of the Museum’s professional development programs, through activities such as local, regional, and national workshops, teacher trainings with Holocaust education centers and other partners, and engagement with local educational agencies and schools. 

·         Authorizes $10 million dollars over 5 years to go to these activities.