Assembly adopts ACR 59, observes Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)

The California State Assembly adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 59 on April 20, 2025, designating Yom HaShoah as Holocaust Remembrance Day and observing the survivors and descendants who were invited to the chamber.

Assemblymember Megan Addis, authoring the resolution on behalf of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, told the chamber, “Yam HaShoah also honors Jewish resistance during the Holocaust and is observed annually on the anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising.” She urged colleagues to “speak out clearly and unequivocally against hate, and to rededicate ourselves to combating antisemitism, racism, and bigotry of all forms.”

Why it matters: lawmakers said the resolution is both a memorial and a call to action as survivors age and antisemitic incidents rise. Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal said the observance was “a gift … to have a vehicle to express this jumble of emotions,” noting a spike in antisemitic acts and urging sustained public education. Assemblymember Ward, chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, emphasized that LGBTQ victims of Nazi persecution are part of the remembrance.

On the floor, legislators recounted personal and historical testimony, called for sustained Holocaust education and better protections for Jewish communities, and described the ceremony that followed the resolution’s adoption. Following debate, the Assembly opened the roll for coauthors (76 coauthors were added) and took a voice vote; the clerk announced, “The ayes have it. The resolution is adopted.”

The adopted resolution and floor observance included a formal introduction of honorees: Holocaust survivors and descendants who were escorted to the front of the chamber. Assemblymember Addis said members received a brochure with biographies of the honorees and asked legislators to read and preserve survivors’ accounts. Assemblymember Gabriel and others noted the emotional impact on visitors and survivors when non‑Jewish colleagues stood to speak in support.

Speakers urged that remembrance be tied to concrete action. Assemblymember Lowenthal noted that Jewish Californians “make up 2.4% of the population and receive 60% of the religion‑based hate” and warned against normalizing antisemitism for future generations. Several members recalled museum visits and personal family histories; Assemblymember Gallagher said the “banality of evil” demonstrates the need for continual vigilance. Assemblymember Stephanie described taking her child to the U.S. Holocaust Museum and said, “Where were all the good people?” — a question she said should spur public action.

The day’s program included prayers and a pledge of allegiance, the reading of ACR 59, remarks from members representing multiple caucuses, and a ceremony honoring the survivors and descendants. Assemblymember Addis appointed a committee to escort honorees to the floor and urged colleagues to support Holocaust education initiatives.

The resolution is ceremonial (a concurrent resolution) and does not create new regulatory obligations. The Assembly recorded the adoption by voice vote after adding coauthors; the clerk recorded 76 coauthors added prior to the voice vote.

The Assembly then retired the honorees to the front of the chamber for the floor ceremony and later resumed business.

Ending note: Members described the observance as both solemn and personal. Multiple legislators asked colleagues to carry survivors’ testimony into their districts and to support education and community safety measures mentioned during floor remarks.