Omaha, Neb. -
Since being sworn in, Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) has worked extensively to combat many forms of hate, to include the evil of anti-Semitism. Two key efforts in this cause have been his support for legislation providing educational resources to teach about the Holocaust and the fight against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.
On May 29, 2020, the President signed H.R. 943, the Never Again Education Act into law. This is a bipartisan bill that provides our nation’s teachers with additional resources and training to teach our children the important lessons of the Holocaust and the consequences of intolerance and hate.
At the time of its passage, Rep. Bacon issued the following statement:
“The Never Again Education Act will provide fundamental resources, education, and training for teachers and students and will encourage us to live in a world that respects religion, race, and human life. Anti-Semitism is increasing in our country, and as a lead cosponsor for the GOP side, we must remember that the fight against this kind of hatred is an American endeavor and does not belong to Republicans or Democrats. As we recently commemorated the seventy-fifth anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, one of the darkest chapters in human history, I thank the Senate for passing this vital legislation, and I am grateful to be a cosponsor and work alongside Rep. Maloney to push this bill through Congress. We must never forget so that “never again” will be the reality."
Leaders from Omaha’s Jewish community also commented on the passage.
“The Institute for Holocaust Education is very appreciative to Congressman Bacon and his staff for assisting in moving the Never Again Education Act into law,” said Scott Littky, Executive Director of the Institute for Holocaust Education. “The lessons learned from the Holocaust are still very relevant today and can be used to make our world a better place."
Along with his work to support education on the Holocaust, Rep. Bacon has worked to protect Israel from the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement which is a direct attack on Israel and its existence, and supported H. Res 246 as a part of it. Furthermore, he condemned a first-ever ‘blacklist’ of companies who have ties to Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria. Rep. Bacon issued a statement at the time, condemning it as a bigoted act:
“The UNHRC’s bigoted database of companies who provide services to those living in the Israeli communities located in Judea and Samaria is a perfect picture of irony. While they target Israel, they ignore businesses in the world’s other disputed territories. This blacklist is a roadmap for those who support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS) against Israel, and only encourages a harmful pattern of condemnation.”
Rep. Bacon will continue to be a friend and ally to Israel in the coming years.
“Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East and is a true ally to the United States,” he said. “We must continue to show our support and we must call out anti-Semitic attacks that cloak themselves in movements such as the BDS effort.
