Staneski Applauds Final Passage of New Legislation

From CT House Republicans: To make sure the horrors of the Holocaust and other genocidal acts are never forgotten in our collective consciousness, State Rep. Pam Staneski (R-119) strongly supported legislation in the House of Representatives to include Holocaust and genocide education awareness in the social studies curriculum within public schools in our state.

“I am sad that we have to pass legislation to have such education included in our social studies curriculum, it should have already been included in an age appropriate manner, said Rep. Staneski. “We can never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust; however, recent studies show over 22% of millennials, do not know what the Holocaust is, we need to make sure every student learns from the past as to not permit such evil to happen again.”

The legislation, SB-452: An Act Concerning the Inclusion of Holocaust and Genocide Education and Awareness in the Social Studies Curriculum, seeks to include Holocaust and genocide education awareness in the social studies curriculum within public schools in our state.

According to the legislation, school districts would be permitted to avail themselves of existing and appropriate materials and resources, as well as accept gifts, grants and donations, designed for the development and implementation of Holocaust and genocide education and awareness.

The proposal has been endorsed by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). According to the ADL, 2017 was the highest single year increase in anti-Semitic acts since its first audit in 1979. Of the 1,986 incidents that occurred in the United States, 457 of them occurred in K-12 schools. This was a 94% increase from the previous year.

The bill passed both the State Senate and the House of Representatives unanimously and now goes to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Photo courtesy of CT House Republicans