Video & Transcript : 'Holocaust remembrance' :
Page 8 of 42
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 120 May 14th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Speaker and members, today we rise not for politics but for remembrance, not for debate, but for
- We owe them remembrance. We owe them gratitude. We owe them a nation worthy of the sacrifice made.
- She brought Holocaust and genocide studies in schools, and she created the first ever care economy tax
- from our rose onyx from the Capitol so that you could have a piece of the building with you in remembrance
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Feb 24th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- like to take a minute to bring that to our Capitol, because this is how we roll in just loving remembrance
- We also provide care coordination and support for Holocaust survivors and address the rise in anti-Semitism
- spaces, and specifically within trans and gender-expansive spaces, which is Transgender Day of Remembrance
Summary:
The Assembly Human Services Committee held an informational hearing with members of the API Legislative Caucus on California’s Stop the Hate Program and broader efforts to address hate incidents. Opening remarks emphasized the rise in hate during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of culturally and linguistically competent services, and the program’s role in serving not only AAPI communities but also Latino, Black, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ+, immigrant, and other impacted communities. Legislators and presenters repeatedly highlighted the value of trusted community-based organizations (CBOs) in reaching people who may not report to law enforcement or seek traditional services.
The first panel included the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, the Department of Social Services (CDSS), and the Commission on the State of Hate. They described the program’s origins in the state’s equity budget, its funding structure, and its service model: direct victim services, prevention, and intervention. CDSS said 180 organizations statewide have participated, with grantees selected based on experience, capacity, and service to priority populations. The Commission on the State of Hate reported that hate remains widespread and underreported, citing survey data showing about 3.1 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year and that many victims need mental health, legal, and other supports beyond police response. Members asked about best practices, youth impacts, administrative costs, and the role of regional leads; CDSS said it would provide more detail on funding distribution and that the final evaluation is still in progress.
The second panel featured grantees from Jewish Family Service San Diego, Inland Chinese American Association, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, and Equality California. They gave examples of how Stop the Hate funding supported culturally specific response teams, counseling, language-access services, self-defense and safety workshops, youth and elder programming, legal navigation, and reporting tools. Several speakers said the program helped build trust, reduce isolation, and connect people to services they otherwise would not use. Legislators pressed the panel on lessons learned, whether the model should be reauthorized, and what would be lost if funding ends. Panelists emphasized that the program’s flexibility, regional convenings, and support for small, trusted organizations were key strengths, while also noting the need for more direct funding to frontline providers and more data on what interventions work best.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Human Services Committee Feb 24th, 2026
Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- like to take a minute to bring that to our capital, because this is how we roll, in just loving remembrance
- We also provide care coordination and support for Holocaust survivors and address the rise in anti-Semitism
- spaces, and specifically within trans and gender-expansive spaces, which is Transgender Day of Remembrance
Committee:
House Human Services
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Postsecondary Education (3-11-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- at the University of Louisville, who has time and time again been condemned for anti-Semitism and Holocaust
- explicitly that one of their main goals is to further the adoption of the IHRA, the International Holocaust
- Remembrance Association's working definition of anti-Semitism, along with examples of anti-Semitism.
- Holocaust Memorial Museum, is that it includes anti-Zionist speech and criticism of the state of Israel
- Palestinians are the indigenous people, and they took in many refugees after the Holocaust, a brutal
Summary:
The committee first took up Senate Bill 77, which would allow comprehensive universities to pursue doctoral programs under a new approval process and, in the original bill, would also change who may serve on the EPSB board for small colleges and universities. The sponsor and Council on Postsecondary Education representative explained that the committee substitute removed the current statutory prohibition on comprehensive universities offering certain doctoral degrees, but added eligibility guardrails: a 77% first-to-second-year retention rate, a 56% six-year graduation rate, and three months of unrestricted cash reserves. They said the thresholds were based on national data placing institutions in roughly the top quartile, and that CPE would still review proposals for mission fit, workforce need, fiscal impact, and, where applicable, programmatic accreditation and legislative appropriations. EKU President David McFaden supported creating a pathway for comprehensive universities, said Kentucky is unusual in having an explicit statutory prohibition, and urged the committee to keep the standards attainable and durable. The committee approved the bill and adopted a title amendment, with the motion passing unanimously.
The committee then heard Senate Joint Resolution 55, which addresses antisemitism on postsecondary campuses. Senator Tichenor said the resolution responds to a rise in antisemitic incidents after October 7, 2023, and would require campuses to notify students each semester of Title VI rights, complaint procedures, existing harassment policies, and available Jewish student resources. It would also direct campuses to disband student organizations found to provide material support to known terrorist organizations, report such matters to law enforcement, and collect and report antisemitism data to CPE for posting on its website. A guest speaker from the Kentucky Jewish Council described a sharp increase in reported incidents, including harassment, threats, vandalism, and hostile campus activity, and argued that schools have often done too little to respond. He said the resolution was amended to protect free speech while ensuring Jewish students receive the same protections as other protected groups. The transcript ends while testimony on the resolution was still underway, before any committee vote on SJR 55.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I decided to start Central Valley Holocaust Education.
- Holocaust Memorial Museum, I met teachers who said, it's fine to know this history.
- Overwhelmingly, my students name our unit on the book Night and the Holocaust.
- The Holocaust, because we met a Holocaust survivor.
- And the Holocaust is an important thing that isn't talked about enough.
Committee:
House Education
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee Jul 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I am a child Holocaust survivor, and I am a teacher. I've been a teacher all my adult life.
- Overwhelmingly, my students name our unit on the book Night and the Holocaust.
- The Holocaust, because we met a Holocaust survivor, and the Holocaust is an important thing that isn't
- My favorite thing we studied this year was the Holocaust because my family has dealt with it.
- It's the inhumanity of genocide, slavery, and the Holocaust.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee heard a series of bills focused largely on school safety, immigrant student protections, Holocaust and genocide education, civic engagement, and workforce pathways. SB 631 would expand the charter school revolving loan fund by increasing loan amounts and broadening eligibility, including for charter schools affected by natural disasters; it drew support from the Treasurer’s Office and the California Charter Schools Association and was advanced on a 4-0 vote, with the bill held on call. SB 472 would reinforce Holocaust, slavery, and genocide education requirements and create or expand teacher training and grants; it received strong support from survivors, educators, and Jewish organizations and passed 6-0, with several members asking to be added as coauthors.
The committee also took up a package of immigration-related school bills. SB 48 would bar school officials from allowing immigration enforcement access to campuses without a judicial warrant and protect student records; it was backed by Superintendent Tony Thurmond, teachers, school districts, and many advocacy groups, and passed 5-0 to the Judiciary Committee. SB 98 would require K-12 schools and higher education institutions to notify campus communities when immigration enforcement is present; it also drew broad support from student groups, colleges, and education organizations and passed 3-0 to Higher Education, with the bill held on call. Both measures were presented as responses to recent immigration enforcement activity near schools and the chilling effect on attendance and student well-being.
Other measures advanced included SB 848, which would strengthen protections against employee sexual misconduct in schools by updating safety plans, training, reporting, and misconduct tracking; it was supported by education groups and a survivor who described grooming at her high school, and passed 6-0 to Public Safety. SB 638 would create a statewide coordinating entity for education and workforce programs and support career pathways, with testimony emphasizing the need to align fragmented funding and improve access for underserved communities; it passed 7-0 to Higher Education. SB 316, on high school voter registration and pre-registration, passed 8-0 to Elections after testimony from students and civic engagement advocates, and SB 334, which would add sexual harassment prevention content and a Sexual Harassment Safety Week to school curriculum, was presented with support from student advocates and AAUW, with no opposition noted in the portion of the transcript provided.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Education Committee May 14th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I’m the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who had 40 family members slaughtered in the Holocaust.
- I’m the daughter of a Holocaust survivor who had 40 family members slaughtered in the Holocaust, and
- I'm also the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
- I'm also the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
- I'm the grandson of Holocaust survivors.
Summary:
The Assembly Education Committee held a special hearing on AB 715, with the authors presenting the bill as a response to rising anti-Semitism in K-12 schools. The authors said the measure is intended to strengthen protections for Jewish students, improve district accountability, expand the uniform complaint process, clarify protections related to religion and nationality, and create a state-level anti-Semitism coordinator. They emphasized that the bill was developed through collaboration with the Black, Latino, AAPI, and Jewish caucuses and argued it is meant to protect all students from hate while preserving legitimate classroom discussion.
The hearing included extensive public testimony. Supporters, including students, parents, rabbis, Jewish organizations, and some educators, described harassment, biased curriculum, delayed or ineffective school responses, and fear among Jewish students and families. They urged the committee to act to make schools safer and more responsive. Opponents, including teachers, ethnic studies advocates, civil liberties groups, Palestinian rights advocates, and some Jewish parents, argued the bill was rushed, vague, and could chill academic freedom, censor discussion of Palestine and Israel, and expand complaints against teachers and school districts. Several witnesses said existing complaint and anti-discrimination systems already address these issues.
Committee members then questioned the authors and witnesses about implementation, definitions, and possible effects on curriculum and school boards. The authors said the bill is still intent language and that details would be refined in further negotiations with stakeholders. Representatives from the California School Boards Association and California Teachers Association raised concerns about the new language and possible unintended consequences, while ACLU California Action said it had concerns but wanted to keep working on the bill. The transcript does not show a final vote or action taken on AB 715 during this hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/18/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- really embraced that by having folks on the Minnesota Humanities Center sit in on ethnic studies and Holocaust
- really embraced that by having folks on the Minnesota Humanities Center sit in on ethnic studies and Holocaust
- really embraced that by having folks on the Minnesota Humanities Center sit in on ethnic studies and Holocaust
- 58.760><c> task</c><02:01:59.159><c> force</c><02:01:59.520><c> and</c><02:01:59.719><c> now</c> um Holocaust
- and um task force and now um Holocaust and um task force and now the<02:02:00.159><c> implementation
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- Seth Briske, American Jewish Committee, California, son of a Holocaust survivor.
- in the Holocaust, and I'm a former teacher.
- I'm also the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.
- I am the son of two Holocaust survivors who lived 12 years in Palestine.
- I'm also the daughter of a Holocaust that doesn't get much mention.
Committee:
House Education
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (01/14/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> covering all aspects of the Holocaust. covering all aspects of the Holocaust.
- Holocaust<00:08:49.600><c> historical</c><00:08:50.080><c> revision</c> Holocaust historical revision
- </c> important knowledge for the Holocaust important knowledge for the Holocaust and<00:09:08.959><c>
- As a former holocaust handbooks.com.
- The Holocaust is no different.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- He teaches Holocaust studies, economics, personal development, and world history.
- She's going to Europe with us this year when we take a Holocaust group there.
- In Holocaust, we read teenage journals. But for a week, we focus on what we do. What was our life?
- David Reeser at Madison High School, literally we get together and talk: what can we do for Holocaust
- To Central Europe to study the Holocaust in detail, and some of their parents show up.
Committee:
House Education
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 25, 2025 - 09:00 AM
Transcript Highlights:
- As an example, you can have someone talk about the Holocaust and a number of people.
- can have another person say, well, the Holocaust didn't really happen.
- As an example, you can have someone to talk about the Holocaust and a number of people.
- can have another person that say, well, the Holocaust didn't really happen.
- I think that... ...the gravity, as seventh graders, of the Holocaust.
Summary:
The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four bills. The first, HB 875 on educator preparation, would align teacher-prep programs under a uniform core curriculum, create a competency-based coaching program (CERT), standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and establish a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Debate focused heavily on language in the bill related to systemic racism, identity politics, privilege, and historical distortion, with supporters saying the bill is about pedagogy and opponents warning it could limit discussion of important historical and social topics. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably, 12-4.
The committee then considered PCS for HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the state minimum wage for up to 12 months in certain structured work-based training settings. Supporters argued it would expand access to training and career pathways for inexperienced workers and help address labor shortages, while opponents said it could depress wages, invite coercion, and conflict with the state constitution’s minimum wage provisions. Public testimony included opposition from workers and labor groups and support from NFIB. The bill was reported favorably, 12-4.
Next, PCS for HB 681 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding was presented as a transparency and accountability measure to improve funding reporting and address bargaining issues between education agencies and program providers. Support came from industry groups and the ranking member, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition, 16-0. Finally, PCS for HB 1105 on education and Bright Futures would broaden Gold Seal Vocational eligibility, align CTE diploma requirements with Bright Futures, add AP Capstone as an automatic qualifier, and remove barriers for certain military and public service families. The committee supported the bill, which was reported favorably, 15-0. The meeting ended after a correction to the record on one public comment card and adjournment.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- It's talked about the Alabama Holocaust Commission. Anybody know what that is?
- for the 6 million Jewish men, women, and children who perished in the Holocaust.
- Jews lost in the Holocaust, but also the Jews lost in the Holocaust, but also the survivors<01:54:57.280
- ,</c><01:56:03.800><c> the</c> lives lost in the Holocaust, the lives lost in the Holocaust, the survivors
- </c> human history known as the Holocaust. human history known as the Holocaust.
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a quorum present, then adopted a resolution honoring Dr. Todd Freeman, Superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools, as Alabama Superintendent of the Year. Senators praised his leadership in public education and noted the recognition was especially meaningful as one of the last such honors in the current chamber. The Senate also adopted a resolution commending the 2026 Alabama Law Institute Senate interns for their service, and members offered personal remarks thanking the interns and encouraging them to remain and contribute to Alabama in the future.
The chamber then took up several conference committee and House messages. The Senate concurred in the conference report on Senate Bill 341 after extended remarks, and later concurred in the conference report on Senate Bill 32, described as a veterans-related bill that would make benefits automatic for those under the federal poverty level and allow cities and counties to opt in for veterans above that level. The Senate also received House amendments to Senate Bill 199, concerning sex offenders, and voted to non-concur and send the bill to conference, naming conferees.
In resolutions from the Rules Committee, the Senate adopted an amended House Joint Resolution 198 establishing the Alabama Mental Health Task Force. It also adopted House Joint Resolution 326, which recognizes the need for a north-south transportation route in East Alabama. Throughout the meeting, senators made extended floor remarks about slowing down on legislation, focusing on rural hospitals and other priorities, and the importance of treating children, seniors, and low-income residents fairly.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session B Jan 27th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And the Holocaust is unique among genocides for one reason.
- And the Holocaust is unique among genocides for one reason.
- And today we find ourselves in the midst of an attempted second Holocaust, where there are people in
- So today I ask you to pray not only for the victims of that Holocaust 80 years ago, but for the victims
- of the new Holocaust that people are trying to create right now.
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session with an opening prayer focused on Holocaust remembrance and a warning against antisemitism, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the joint proclamation calling the session. The proclamation said the special session was convened to consider immigration-related legislation and appropriations to support coordination with federal immigration enforcement, including a chief immigration officer, restrictions on benefits for undocumented immigrants, voting-related offenses, penalties for removed aliens who re-enter, bail and detention considerations, ID requirements, and support for local law enforcement. Senate Bill 2B on immigration was filed and placed on the special order calendar for the next day, with an amendment deadline set after the Appropriations Committee meeting.
The Senate then took up veto overrides on House Bill 5001 from the 2024 regular session, which is the General Appropriations Act. Members discussed the governor’s vetoes of legislative support and transparency-related funding, including IT systems, research, oversight, and Florida Channel services. Senator Pizzo objected to waiving Rules on one item and argued the chamber should also address broader cuts, including arts funding, while the Rules Chair said the items under consideration were limited to support services and that broader funding concerns could be addressed separately. The Senate voted to override line item 2802, funding legislative support services, by 35 yeas and 1 name, and line item 2803, also for legislative support services, by 36 yeas and 1 nay, both passing by the required two-thirds vote. The Senate then adjourned until the next morning.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, December 16, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- year-old</c><00:20:31.520><c> girl</c><00:20:32.000><c> and</c><00:20:32.240><c> a</c><00:20:32.400><c> Holocaust
- </c> a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust a 10-year-old girl and a Holocaust survivor. survivor. survivor
- horrific anti-Semitic mass shooting at Australia's Bondi Beach that left 15 people dead, including a Holocaust
- 04:54:24.000><c> dead,</c><04:54:24.638><c> including</c><04:54:25.120><c> a</c><04:54:25.360><c> Holocaust
- </c> people dead, including a Holocaust people dead, including a Holocaust survivor<04:54:26.638><c>
Keywords:
military intervention, Venezuela, Congress, War Powers Resolution, hostilities, military action, foreign policy, terrorism, congressional authority, power plant, electricity generation, retirement notice, Federal Power Act, interstate transmission, trafficking, children, unaccompanied minors, placement regulations, immigration law, safety
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 064 Mar 19th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , Remembrance, Remembrance, and<00:27:56.800><c> whereas</c><00:27:57.280><c> the</c><00:27:57.400><c
- ,</c> entrance of the Road of Remembrance, entrance of the Road of Remembrance, and<00:28:32.720><c>
- , and the road the Road of Remembrance, and the road was<00:28:39.080><c> never</c><00:28:39.360><c>
- I rise today to present this resolution recognizing the Road of Remembrance in Boulder County.
- Because remembrance is not passive. It is a responsibility.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from the previous day, and heard several announcements about committee schedules and visiting groups, including Greeley Day at the Capitol and students from Wildcat Mountain Elementary. Committee notices covered upcoming hearings in Judiciary, Business Affairs and Labor, Education, Transportation/Housing/Local Government, Health and Human Services, and Capital Development.
The main floor action was consideration of House Joint Resolution 1022, which designates a portion of Arapahoe Road in Boulder County as the “Road of Remembrance.” Sponsors and supporters described the history of the World War I memorial effort, the stone pillars at Arapahoe Road and US 287, and the current effort to preserve and relocate the pillars while marking the roadway. Several members spoke in favor, emphasizing veterans’ remembrance and historic preservation.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 60-0, with five excused, and Representative Bottoms was added as a co-sponsor. Afterward, the House heard additional recognitions for advanced placement students and an announcement that the majority leader had paid outstanding fines. The chamber then laid over the balance of the calendar until the next day and recessed later in the day.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Oct 2nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And I just want to also state that I was at the National Day of Remembrance.
- County, are concentration camps that actually take away from the gravity of what's happened in the Holocaust
- say this more carefully, was the biggest loss of life to Jewish people in one instance since the Holocaust
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Senate in Special Session B Jan 27th, 2025
Florida Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- THE HOLOCAUST IS UNIQUE AMONG GENOCIDES FOR ONE REASON.
- AND TODAY, WE FIND OURSELVES IN THE MIDST OF AN ATTEMPTED SECOND HOLOCAUST WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN
- THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WISH TO CREATE A SECOND HOLOCAUST.
- SO TODAY, I ASK YOU TO PRAY NOT ONLY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THAT HOLOCAUST 80 YEARS AGO, BUT FOR THE VICTIMS
- OF THE NEW HOLOCAUST THAT PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO CREATE RIGHT NOW.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Education Postsecondary Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- There's quite a number of days of remembrance. There's quite a number of days of remembrance.
- State-sanctioned remembrance matters.
- I see this amendment as necessary because when we legitimize remembrance, or legislate remembrance, we
- Because when we legitimize remembrance, or legislate remembrance, rather, we decide whose stories are
- Should there be a day of remembrance? I don’t care about a day of remembrance.
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary took up SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s LINE Fund for health workforce shortages beyond nursing to include broader health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit spending on scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which career paths would qualify, saying the bill should be narrowed to target particular shortage areas. Senator Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility while still focusing on health care and career technical programs, and noted the measure would not require additional state funding because the LINE Fund already has about $44 million, with another $30 million proposed. The bill was supported by several appearance forms and was reported favorably.
The committee then heard SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance in Florida. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday or closing offices. Supporters, including Florida Voice for the Unborn and others, said Kirk was a significant advocate for free speech and unborn rights. Opponents from Equal Ground argued that Kirk had made racist and divisive statements and that the state should not honor him with a public commemoration. Senators also debated whether a statutory day of remembrance was appropriate and whether it could set a precedent for future requests.
Senator Jones offered a late-filed amendment to add George Floyd to the remembrance, arguing that if the legislature was going to memorialize Kirk, it should not do so selectively. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated the bill at length, with Senators Berman and Jones opposing it as an inappropriate endorsement of Kirk’s views, while Senator Simon and Senator Martin defended it as a recognition of his role in encouraging public debate and civic participation. SB 194 was ultimately reported favorably on a party-line vote, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones opposed, Senator Rodriguez and Senator Simon in support, and Chair Claudio voting yes.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- There's quite a number of days of remembrance.
- State-sanctioned remembrance matters.
- State sanctioned remembrance matters.
- I see this amendment as necessary because when we legitimize remembrance, or legislate remembrance, we
- Should there be a day of remembrance? I don’t care about a day of remembrance.
Committee:
Senate Education Postsecondary
Summary:
The Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum and first considered SB 1246, which would expand Florida’s Line Fund for health service workforce shortages. Senator Davis explained that the bill would broaden eligibility beyond nursing to include health science education programs and students, allow matching funds from private contributions, and permit use of funds for scholarships, faculty recruitment, equipment, simulation centers, and facility renovations. Senator Harrell asked for more specificity about which professions would qualify, and Davis said the bill was intended to add flexibility but could be made more concrete. Several witnesses supported the bill, and the committee reported SB 1246 favorably without additional funding being requested.
The committee then took up SB 194, which would designate October 14 as Charlie Kirk Day of Remembrance. Senator Martin said the bill would recognize Kirk’s influence on civic engagement, youth leadership, and constitutional education without creating a state holiday. The bill drew both support and opposition from public speakers, with supporters emphasizing Kirk’s advocacy for free speech and unborn children, and opponents arguing that his public statements on race, civil rights, and Black leaders made him an inappropriate figure for state honor. Members also debated whether statute was the right vehicle for such recognition and whether the bill could encourage future requests for similar commemorations.
A late-filed amendment by Senator Jones would have added George Floyd to the remembrance language, framing the issue as selective remembrance and pointing to Floyd’s death as another national reckoning. Senator Martin opposed the amendment as unfriendly, and it failed on a roll call vote. The committee then debated SB 194 at length, with supporters describing Kirk as a defender of open debate and opponents saying the bill would legitimize divisive rhetoric. The committee ultimately reported SB 194 favorably, with Senators Berman, Harrell, and Jones voting no, Senator Rodriguez and Chair Simon voting yes, and Chair Calatayud casting the deciding favorable vote. The committee then adjourned after a motion to record Tab 2 in the affirmative was adopted.