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3 <br /> 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> 2 <br /> 3 Proclamation <br /> 4 International Holocaust Remembrance Day <br /> 5 January 27, 2026 <br /> 6 <br /> 7 Commemorating the Past, Confronting Hate, and Committing to a Just Future <br /> 8 <br /> 9 WHEREAS, the United Nations has declared January 27th as International Holocaust <br /> 10 Remembrance Day, a solemn occasion to honor the memory of six million Jews murdered in the <br /> 11 Holocaust, and millions of other innocent victims who perished for failing to conform to Nazi <br /> 12 ideology; and <br /> 13 <br /> 14 WHEREAS, we also honor the strength and resilience of the millions who survived Nazi <br /> 15 persecution, enduring unimaginable trauma and loss — including many who have recorded their <br /> 16 personal testimony in books, videos, and personal diaries; and <br /> 17 <br /> 18 WHEREAS, we pay tribute to the courageous individuals, groups, and countries — both Jewish <br /> 19 and non-Jewish — who resisted, physically and spiritually, to stand against injustice and protect <br /> 20 those targeted for extermination; and <br /> 21 <br /> 22 WHEREAS, we remember that the Holocaust did not start with gas chambers — it began with the <br /> 23 erosion of rights and legal protections coupled with state-sponsored propaganda, bigotry, and <br /> 24 dehumanization targeting Jews and others, and which escalated to mass murder and genocide; <br /> 25 and <br /> 26 <br /> 27 WHEREAS, we unequivocally denounce all forms of discrimination, violence, murder, and <br /> 28 genocide against any people, and reaffirm our condemnation of antisemitism, racism, and any <br /> 29 form of bigotry directed at culturally, politically, socially, or ethnically distinctive communities; and <br /> 30 <br /> 31 WHEREAS, we value a community where diverse cultural and religious traditions are honored <br /> 32 and woven into the rich fabric of community life; and <br /> 33 <br /> 34 WHEREAS, in conjunction with the nationwide Light Up in Yellow Campaign. <br /> 35 (https://www.Iightupamericayellow.com/), the State of North Carolina will light up the State Capitol <br /> 36 in yellow on January 27, 2026 in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Orange <br /> 37 County can join in recognition and remembrance by lighting up select County buildings; <br /> 38 <br /> 39 NOW, THEREFORE, let us unite in remembrance and resolve — committing ourselves to the <br /> 40 creation of a world that is safe, inclusive, and welcoming to all. Let the lessons of the Holocaust <br /> 41 guide us as we foster empathy and justice, speak out against hate in every form, and uphold the <br /> 42 dignity and human rights of every human being. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we pledge our shared responsibility to build <br /> 45 communities built upon respect and mutual understanding so that"Never Again" is not a promise, <br /> 46 but a lived reality for generations to come. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 This the 20th Day of January, 2026. <br /> 49 <br /> 50 <br /> 51 Jean Hamilton, Chair <br />