PROCLAMATION

OF THE

PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

WHEREAS, April 28, 2022, is the internationally recognized date for this year’s

Holocaust Remembrance Day, known in Hebrew as Yom HaShoah; and

WHEREAS, Holocaust Remembrance Day is a day to recognize the systematic, state-

sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews and millions of others

by the Nazi regime and its allies and collaborators during World War II; and

WHEREAS, the war in Ukraine has brought memories of, and references to, the

Holocaust to the forefront in multiple ways – from accusations of Naziism

to the destruction of Ukrainian Holocaust memorials – to images of refugees

fleeing attack; and

WHEREAS, the Port of Seattle has committed to upholding the dignity and value of

every person, and identifying and addressing the root causes of inequities;

and

WHEREAS, the Port acknowledges the increase in hate crimes that are directed toward

Jewish people, especially because according to the Anti-Defamation

League, the national average of antisemitic incidents remained at historic

levels in 2021, with a 27 percent increase targeting Jews and Jewish

institutions and with Washington State having the fifth-highest number of

incidents in the nation; and

HEREAS, the Port remains committed to supporting the safety, inclusion, and

engagement of all members of our community, including our Jewish

employees and Jewish residents of King County; and

WHEREAS, the Port strongly believes that we must all be proactive in working to combat

oppression and prejudice wherever we see it, and to strive to do our part to

align with that common Yom HaShoah sentiment of “never again.”

NOW, THEREFORE, the Port of Seattle Commission hereby proclaims the start of its

henceforth annual commitment to commemorate this tragic history and to reflect on the lessons it

holds for our lives today.

Agenda Item: 4a

Meeting Date: April 26, 2022