Governor Quinn Appoints Members to Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission

SPRINGFIELD - April 12, 2011. Governor Pat Quinn today appointed nine individuals to serve on the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission. Commission members will work to promote education and awareness of the Holocaust and genocide around the world.

"We must never forget the atrocities and horrors of the Holocaust," said Governor Quinn. "This commission will increase awareness of the Holocaust and other past genocides to make sure that ‘never again' is not a meaningless slogan."

Governor Quinn signed House Bill 6059, creating the Illinois Holocaust and Genocide Commission last year. The commission will work with public and private elementary and secondary schools, as well as colleges and universities, and organizations throughout Illinois to enhance Holocaust and genocide education in an effort to prevent future atrocities.

Commission members will work with public and private organizations in planning and developing awareness programs. The commission will also work with Holocaust and other genocide survivors, concentration camp liberators, scholars and religious leaders who will to share knowledge with students, participate in seminars, and develop educational curriculum.

The commission will also coordinate events throughout the state on International Holocaust Remembrance Day and other days of remembrance to memorialize the Holocaust and other genocides.

Governor Quinn today appointed the individuals listed below to serve on the commission. Please see these biographies for additional information.

• Adam Braun, Office of Governor Pat Quinn
• Gregory Bedian, Ubiquiti Networks
• Noreen Brand, Illinois Holocaust Museum Education Center
• Daniel Cohen, Northwestern University
• Sanja Drnovsek, Aspira Haugan Middle School
• Sonia Edelman, Houghton Mifflin
• Fritzie Fritzshall, Illinois Holocaust Museum Education Center
• Richard Hirschhaut, Illinois Holocaust Museum Education Center
• Leon Lim, Chicago Public Schools

In addition to the appointments announced today by Governor Quinn, other members include legislators and representatives from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Legislative commission members include Sen. Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale), Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Rep. Sidney Mathias (R-Buffalo Grove). Members of the commission are unpaid and serve four-year terms.