H. Res. 529 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

June 11, 2009. 

Whereas, on June 10, 2009, an armed assailant with ties to 

white supremacist organizations, a conviction for a violent crime and a history of anti-Semitic and racist activities opened fire at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum; 

Whereas, the gunman was a convicted felon and obtained a 

firearm in violation of Federal law; 

Whereas, security personnel at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial 

Museum, U.S. Park Police, and other emergency responders, responded quickly and valiantly to ensure the 

safety of museum visitors and staff and other bystanders; 

Whereas, Officer Stephen Tyrone Johns, who had worked at 

the Museum for 6 years, was fired upon by the gunman 

and later tragically succumbed to his wounds; 

Whereas, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was established by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, which 

was created by Congress in 1980 (Public Law 96–388) 

and mandated to create a permanent living memorial museum to the victims of the Holocaust; 

Whereas, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum was dedicated on April 22, 1993, and has since welcomed nearly 

30 million visitors, including more than 8 million school 

children and 85 heads of state; 
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Whereas, the primary mission of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is ‘‘to advance and disseminate knowledge 

about this unprecedented tragedy; to preserve the memory of those who suffered; and to encourage its visitors 

to reflect upon the moral and spiritual questions raised 

by the events of the Holocaust as well as their own responsibilities as citizens of a democracy.’’; 

Whereas, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum serves as 

one of the world’s leading authorities on the Holocaust; 

Whereas, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, created to 

remind us of what happened and what could happen 

when hatred turns into violence, has tragically become a 

target itself; 

Whereas, the attack at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum 

is a horrific reminder of the violence that can stem from 

anti-Semitism, racism, hatred, intolerance, and Holocaust 

denial; and 

Whereas, President Obama stated, ‘‘This outrageous act reminds us that we must remain vigilant against anti-Semitism and prejudice in all its forms. No American institution is more important to this effort than the Holocaust 

Museum, and no act of violence will diminish our determination to honor those who were lost by building a more 

peaceful and tolerant world’’: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) condemns the violent attack on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 10, 2009; 

(2) honors the bravery and dedication of the employees and security personnel at the U.S. Holocaust 
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Memorial Museum and rededicates itself to the safety 

and the security of the Museum and its visitors; 

(3) offers its condolences to the family of Officer 

Stephen Tyrone Johns who was killed in the line of duty; 

(4) redoubles its commitment to advance the mission of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to educate 

people about the Holocaust and fight against anti-Semitism, racism, hatred, and intolerance; and 

(5) urges the American people to join the United 

States House of Representatives in condemning this act 

of hateful violence and intolerance. 

Attest: 

Clerk.