State Department officials emphasize preserving Holocaust truth, restitution and countering distortion

The program included a recorded message from the State Department and remarks by the U.S. Special Envoy for Holocaust Issues on restitution, education and confronting distortion.

In a video message introduced by program organizers, the Undersecretary for Economic Affairs (named in the program as Jacob Hellberg) described Holocaust remembrance as a personal duty and said that preserving historical truth will require new tools and international coordination as technologies such as artificial intelligence evolve. "As technology evolves, international coordination will become increasingly more important to ensuring that historical truth is preserved and accessible," the Undersecretary said in the recorded remarks, urging vigilance against distortion and denial.

Special Envoy Ellen Germain, introduced as the U.S. official who leads efforts on Holocaust remembrance and restitution, said the State Department advocates for restitution and compensation for property seized during the Holocaust and promoted accurate Holocaust education worldwide. Germain highlighted that the office works to support survivors and heirs and to counter denial and distortion.

Program organizers then invited survivors and descendants to stand, observed a moment of silence for the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, and concluded the ceremony with acknowledgements and a call for federal employees to join the interagency organizing committee for future programs.

The program closed with thanks to host agencies, interpreters, and volunteers and an invitation for federal employees across agencies to participate in next year’s planning.