Sacramento, CA - "Holocaust Memorial Week is a time to remember the millions of innocent men, women and children who perished in that severe human tragedy," said Assemblymember De La Torre (D-South Gate).

De La Torre made his remarks in reminding citizens in the 50th Assembly District that the week of May 1st to May 8th has been designated as "Holocaust Memorial Week".

Holocaust Memorial Week is the week in which Yom Hashoa or "Day of Remembrance" falls. This year the Day of Remembrance is May 5th. Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the solemnity of the occasion and those who were lost.

"At the beginning of this new century, we have already seen mass killings in Rwanda and the Sudan, which serves as a grim reminder that we must never forget the six million people who lost their lives to hatred over a half-century ago and that the fight against the bigotry of ethnic hatred is never over," De La Torre observed.

The South Gate lawmaker also stated, "The survivors and witnesses of the tragic Holocaust of World War II are slowly leaving us, but it is our duty to keep their memories alive. We must also teach our children the history of the Holocaust, so that they learn and understand its terrible lesson: that evil cannot go unchecked, that racism and bigotry cannot be tolerated and that we must stop the hatred that has lead to the arsons, shootings, beatings and other hate crimes in America during the past few years."

De La Torre pointed out that the effect of intolerance and bigotry can have on entire nations is clearly visible. For that reasons he stated, "Human dignity must always be defended and that intolerance and misinformation must always be opposed vigorously and fought for throughout all aspects of our society."

"This observance is a good time to remind us that we must teach our children, as well as remind ourselves, about the atrocities and the denial of basic human rights that have occurred throughout history and we must do whatever we can to bring a just peace to oppressed people throughout the world and in our country," De La Torre concluded.