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| THOMPSON ISSUES KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT
HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE EVENT
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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the keynote address to hundreds of Holocaust survivors and their families at a remembrance event at Bethel/Young Israel in Borough Park, Brooklyn. “New York City’s long and special history with the Jewish Community makes our remembrance of the Holocaust that more important,” said Thompson. “The survivors, their stories and the lessons they teach are our greatest resources in turning the tide of intolerance in our own time.” Thompson told the story of Irene Sendler who, at barely five feet tall, helped more than 2500 children to safety from the Warsaw Ghetto. Ms. Sendler courageously faced death each day to protect the children. As each child came to her, she meticulously wrote down their real name and family details. The information was placed in jars and buried in hopes that the children may someday be reunited with their families. She was captured and tortured but refused to give up her co-conspirators or the whereabouts of the buried jars. Ms. Sendler died two weeks ago at the age of 98. “The story of Irene Sendler is one of many courageous gentiles who risked their lives during the war to save the men, women and children who found themselves in Hitler’s crosshairs,” Thompson said. Comptroller Thompson joined with elected officials Assemblyman Dov Hikind, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and City Councilman Mathieu Eugene at the event to recognize the nations of Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Spain and China for their efforts, or the efforts of their diplomats, to facilitate the rescue of Jews in Europe. Each nation was represented by their respective Consul General. “Roughly half of all Holocaust survivors settled in New York City, and more than 5000 still call New York home. I am deeply moved by the presence of so many survivors and the examples of sacrifice by our honorees,” Thompson concluded.
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