WASHINGTON, DC –Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the “Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Act,” which would help increase awareness of the Holocaust in public school curricula nationwide. According to the official press release, “The Wiesenthal Act authorizes $10 million in federal funds over five years to help educational organizations bolster their Holocaust education programs, many of which suffer from a lack of resources.”

Under the legislation–named in honor of Simon Wiesenthal, the Holocaust survivor who devoted his life to seeking justice for the Nazi genocide against the Jewish people—educational institutions would be able to apply for federal grants to educate about the Holocaust.

“With the introduction of this bill we are carrying on Simon Wiesenthal’s inspiring mission. The important lessons of one of history’s darkest hours must be taught so that we can learn from the hatred and bigotry of this time,” Rep. Maloney said. “Future generations must learn what ‘never forget’ truly means. I thank Senator Menendez for introducing this legislation in the Senate and look forward to continuing our work to make this bill law.”

“Just as we must never forget the six million Jewish men, women and children, as well as millions of others who faced persecution and death during the Holocaust, we must never lose sight of the relevance the Holocaust has for teaching us about tolerance and humanity,” said Sen. Menendez, who is the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “That is why educating young people about the Holocaust is so critical.”