02/12/2003
Lord Mayor urges holocaust remembrance
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Martin Morgan today called on the people of Northern Ireland to demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that the genocide of the Holocaust is never repeated.
Cllr Morgan was speaking as Belfast accepted the National Book of Commitment, in advance of the National Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day, which is being held at the Belfast Waterfront Hall on January 27, 2004.
“This book declares our intent to prevent another holocaust occurring again,” said the Lord Mayor.
“It shares the concept of the eternal flame which is to secure the permanent international commemoration of the Holocaust.
"If, as Henry Ford famously said, history is bunk, then all of us here should go home and forget about protecting the principles of humanity.
"If we forget our past we overlook the ease with which societies may descend into bigotry, hatred and violence.
"If we forget history we fail to learn how to improve our lives and the lives of our families and neighbours. And if we chose to ignore the lessons history can teach, we are bound to repeat the dreadful mistakes and sins for ever."
Belfast City Council was committed to the creation of a stable, tolerant and pluralist society in which individuality is respected and diversity celebrated, Councillor Morgan added.
The National Book of Commitment was presented to Belfast by the City of Edinburgh, which hosted the National Commemoration in 2003.
(MB)
Cllr Morgan was speaking as Belfast accepted the National Book of Commitment, in advance of the National Commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day, which is being held at the Belfast Waterfront Hall on January 27, 2004.
“This book declares our intent to prevent another holocaust occurring again,” said the Lord Mayor.
“It shares the concept of the eternal flame which is to secure the permanent international commemoration of the Holocaust.
"If, as Henry Ford famously said, history is bunk, then all of us here should go home and forget about protecting the principles of humanity.
"If we forget our past we overlook the ease with which societies may descend into bigotry, hatred and violence.
"If we forget history we fail to learn how to improve our lives and the lives of our families and neighbours. And if we chose to ignore the lessons history can teach, we are bound to repeat the dreadful mistakes and sins for ever."
Belfast City Council was committed to the creation of a stable, tolerant and pluralist society in which individuality is respected and diversity celebrated, Councillor Morgan added.
The National Book of Commitment was presented to Belfast by the City of Edinburgh, which hosted the National Commemoration in 2003.
(MB)
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