HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2024-4655
HR 4655
ByRepresentatives Senn and Couture
WHEREAS, The Holocaust Center for Humanity is a Seattle-based organization dedicated to teaching and honoring the history, stories, and lessons of the Holocaust; and
WHEREAS, Dee Simon has worked at the Holocaust Center for Humanity as the Chief Executive Officer since 2006; and
WHEREAS, Dee's mother, Frieda Soury, was a Holocaust survivor born in 1929 in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother. She was designated a "mischling" (half-Jewish) by the Nazis and deported to the concentration camp of Theresienstadt in 1943, liberated in 1945. Frieda moved to Israel when she was 18 and later immigrated to the United States with her husband and three children. She passed away in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Dee discussed and shared stories of her mother's resilience and determination, along with how it shaped her own passion to become an impactful Washingtonian; and
WHEREAS, under Dee's leadership, the organization has transformed from a small resource center to a nationally recognized education and advocacy center of excellence; and
WHEREAS, Dee spearheaded the capital campaign to create the current museum space in Seattle to advance their work for the community of Washington State and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Dee helped start and implement the Law Enforcement and Society (LEAS) program in Seattle, and a robust statewide educator and law enforcement training program around antisemitism and bias; and
WHEREAS, During her tenure, Dee worked with the Washington State Legislature to pass a formal curriculum recommendation and funding of Holocaust education that trains over 800 teachers in 229 schools each year; and
WHEREAS, Dee will retire from the Holocaust Center for Humanity in the summer of 2024; and
WHEREAS, International Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27th, 2024;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of Dee Simon to the State of Washington.
I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of
Resolution 4655 adopted by the House of Representatives
January 19, 2024
__________________________
Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk