Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Assistance Act

To authorize the Secretary of Education to award grants to educational organizations to carry out educational programs about the Holocaust. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Assistance Act 2. Holocaust educational program Part A of title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7111 3 Holocaust Education Assistance Program 4131. Findings and purposes (a) Findings The Congress finds the following: (1) The Holocaust was a historical event that resulted in the systemic, state-sponsored, mass murders by Nazi Germany of 6,000,000 Jews, along with millions of others, in the name of racial purity. (2) Eight States (California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) now mandate that the Holocaust be taught in the educational curriculum, and 12 States (Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia) recommend teaching the Holocaust but the funds necessary to carry out those recommendations may not be available. (3) The Holocaust is a sensitive and difficult subject to teach effectively, and educators need appropriate teaching tools and training to increase their knowledge of the Holocaust and enhance the educational experience. (b) Statement of purpose It is the purpose of this subpart— (1) to educate students in the United States so that they— (A) may explore the lessons that the Holocaust provides for all people; and (B) may be less susceptible to the falsehood of Holocaust denial and to the destructive messages of hate that arise from Holocaust denial; and (2) to provide resources and support for educational programs that— (A) portray accurate historical information about the Holocaust; (B) sensitize communities to the circumstances that gave rise to the Holocaust; (C) convey the lessons that the Holocaust provides for all people; and (D) develop curriculum guides and provide training to help teachers incorporate the study of the Holocaust and its lessons into mainstream disciplines. 4132. Program authorized (a) In general From funds made available under subsection (c), the Secretary is authorized to award grants to educational organizations to carry out proposed or existing Holocaust educational programs. (b) Contract with nonprofit The Secretary is authorized to enter into a contract with a nonprofit organization exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) (c) Use of funds The Secretary is authorized to accept donations of money from the nonprofit described in subsection (b). Such funds shall be deposited in a special fund established in the Treasury of the United States titled Holocaust Education Assistance Program Account 4133. Application The Secretary may award a grant under this subpart only to an educational organization that has submitted an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. 4134. Use of grants (a) In General An educational organization receiving a grant under this subpart may use the grant only to carry out the Holocaust education program for which the grant was provided. (b) Requirements An educational organization receiving a grant under this subpart shall comply with the following requirements: (1) Continuation of eligibility The educational organization shall, throughout the period that the educational organization receives and uses the grant, continue to be an educational organization. (2) Supplementation of existing funds The educational organization shall ensure that the grant is used to supplement, and not supplant, non-Federal funds that would otherwise be available to the educational organization to carry out the Holocaust education program for which the grant was provided. (c) Additional Conditions The Secretary may require additional terms and conditions in connection with the use of grants provided under this subpart as the Secretary considers appropriate. (d) Cooperative arrangements The Secretary should encourage educational organizations to work cooperatively with State educational agencies or local educational agencies in applying for and using grants under this subpart. 4135. Selection criteria (a) In General The Secretary shall award grants under this subpart in accordance with competitive criteria to be established by the Secretary. (b) Consultation With Holocaust Educators In establishing the competitive criteria under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with a number of prominent educators in the field of Holocaust education, to be determined by the Secretary. 4136. Review and sanctions (a) Annual Review The Secretary shall review at least annually each educational organization receiving a grant under this subpart to determine the extent to which the educational organization has complied with the provisions of this subpart and the regulations issued under this subpart. (b) Imposition of Sanctions The Secretary may impose one or more sanctions, to be determined by the Secretary, on an educational organization for the failure of the educational organization to comply substantially with the provisions of this subpart or the regulations issued under this subpart. 4137. Annual report Not later than February 1 of each year, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a report describing the activities carried out under this subpart and containing any related information that the Secretary considers appropriate. 4138. Definitions In this subpart: (1) Educational organization The term educational organization (A) described in section 501(c)(3) (B) exempt from tax under section 501(a) (C) organized and operated for cultural, literary, or educational purposes. (2) Holocaust education program The term Holocaust education program (A) has as its specific and primary purpose to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust; and (B) to achieve such purpose, furnishes one or more of the following: (i) Educational materials. (ii) Student and school-based activities, including field trips. (iii) Teacher training. (iv) Any other good or service designed to improve awareness and understanding of the Holocaust. (3) Holocaust The term Holocaust 4139. Regulations The Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out this subpart. . 3. Clerical amendment The table of contents of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is amended by adding after the item relating to section 4121 the following: Subpart 3—Holocaust Education Assistance Program Sec. 4131. Findings and purposes. Sec. 4132. Program authorized. Sec. 4133. Application. Sec. 4134. Use of grants. Sec. 4135. Selection criteria. Sec. 4136. Review and sanctions. Sec. 4137. Annual report. Sec. 4138. Definitions. Sec. 4139. Regulations. .

Summary: Simon Wiesenthal Holocaust Education Assistance Act This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive grants to educational organizations to carry out proposed or existing Holocaust education programs. ED may contract with a nonprofit organization to encourage, accept, and administer private donations and gifts for funding the education programs. Grants may not be used to supplant nonfederal funds the grantees would otherwise have used for Holocaust education programs.