Written by Silverstein Staff Wednesday, 04 May 2011 18:14
Senator Silverstein spoke in honor today of the over six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust in observance of Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust Remembrance Day. Senator Silverstein read an excerpt from the famous biographical account by Elie Wiesel, Night, in which he described his first sights of bodies being burned in a ditch while being forced to enter a concentration camp with his family. At the end of his comments, Silverstein asked his colleagues to join him in a moment of silence.
Yom Hashoah has been observed since it was signed into Israeli law in 1953 and has been observed annually world-wide by Jewish communities. In Illinois, the seven Jewish Federations in Illinois gather each year with spiritual leaders, Holocaust survivors, students and elected officials. This year marked the 30th anniversary of Yom HaShoah being honored in Illinois by the seven Jewish Federations and the memorial service was held in The Old State Capitol in Springfield in the hall where Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "House Divided" speech. Senator Silverstein was joined by Senate President John Cullerton and Governor Pat Quinn in today’s memorial observance.
Listen to Senator Silverstein's comments:
Senator Silverstein Menu
8th District
Majority Caucus Whip
Years served: 1999 - Present
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Financial Institutions; Gaming (Vice-Chairperson); Insurance; Judiciary; Executive (Chairperson); Subcommittee on Ethics (Sub-Chairperson); Subcommittee on State & Local Govt.; Subcommittee on State Regulation.
Biography: Attorney; Degrees from Loyola University in 1982 and John Marshall Law School in 1985; past President of the Northtown Community Council; board member of the Korean Senior Center; member of the Greek Pan-Hellenic Laconian organization; Director of the Bernard Horwich JCC; married (wife, Debra), has four children.