Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to create a New York State memorial at the Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza in Albany to honor victims and survivors of the Holocaust. The new memorial aims to educate both students and the public about the Holocaust, as well as highlight the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and intolerance.
“With the first ever state-sponsored Holocaust Memorial, we are honoring the victims and survivors of the Holocaust while ensuring that all visitors have a place to remember and reflect on what the Jewish community has endured,” Governor Hochul said. “New York has zero tolerance for hate of any kind, and with this memorial, we reaffirm our commitment to rooting out antisemitism and ensuring a peaceful and thriving future for all.”
The legislation (S5784/A7614) instructs the Office of General Services (OGS) to oversee aspects such as design, programming, and placement of the memorial within Empire State Plaza. This site already hosts other memorials dedicated to remembrance and reflection.
Jeanette Moy, Commissioner of OGS, stated: “OGS is proud to care for and maintain the memorials at the Empire State Plaza that honor New Yorkers. This new memorial dedicated to victims of the Holocaust will not only ensure their memory lives on, but will also serve as a permanent reminder of our collective responsibility to stand against injustice and intolerance in our state.”
State Senator Patricia Fahy commented: “When we say, ‘Never Again’, we need to act in order for those words to have meaning. Creating a dedicated Holocaust Memorial where survivors, family members, and our broader community can gather to reflect and remember will memorialize the six million Jews and millions of others who died at the hands of Nazism, fascism, and the Banality of Evil. Intolerance and prejudice only persist and spread when good people stand by and do nothing, and this Memorial cements New York’s and the Capital Region’s commitment to combatting hate wherever it may hide. Thank you to Governor Hochul for signing my legislation with Assemblymember Romero into law and for ensuring New York State is a place where people of all backgrounds are welcome, supported, and protected.”
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero added: “As the sponsor of this legislation, I am deeply proud to help bring this memorial to life. At a time when hate is rising, New York must choose clarity—and with this bill, we choose remembrance, education, and action. This memorial ensures that the stories of courage, loss, and resilience are permanently woven into the civic life of our Capital City. I’m grateful to the survivors, advocates, and Speaker Heastie for making this possible, and I remain committed to building a future rooted in dignity, safety, and justice for all.”
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III said: “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this important legislation and to my colleagues Assemblymember Gabriella Romero and Senator Pat Fahy for shepherding it through the process. History remains one of our greatest educators, and it is both right and just that the New York State Holocaust Memorial will be located here in the Capital City. This memorial will stand as a solemn tribute to the millions of lives lost and to the pain and suffering endured by families during one of humanity’s darkest chapters. It will also serve as a powerful reminder and educational tool for our residents and for generations to come, ensuring that the sins of the past are never repeated.”
Dan Dembling from Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial said: “Capital District Jewish Holocaust Memorial Inc. is deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for making the dream of establishing a State-sponsored permanent Holocaust Memorial in New York a reality. We commend Senator Fahy and Assemblymember Romero for introducing this important legislation. Since our organization’s founding by Dr. Michael Lozman we have been dedicated to creating a permanent space in the Capital Region to honor victims of the Holocaust… As envisioned this Memorial will have statewide impact by helping educate people about consequences of prejudice left unchecked…”
This initiative builds on Governor Hochul’s ongoing work against racial bias or bigotry across New York State; she secured $35 million in funding through her FY26 Enacted Budget under Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC), supporting organizations vulnerable due to their beliefs or missions.
Governor Hochul previously launched America’s first statewide plan targeting antisemitism in New York; she also directed creation of a Hate & Bias Prevention Unit within the Division of Human Rights tasked with helping communities fight discrimination. Recently signed laws now require every college campus in New York State designate Title VI coordinators responsible for addressing discrimination complaints.
