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.