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Proposed legislation to grant federal recognition and support for the Fort Ontario historical site in Oswego, New York, was presented during a hearing of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing on Wednesday.
Toward the end of World War II, Fort Ontario housed 982 European refugees, mostly Jewish, who had fled the Nazis and were brought to America as part of the U.S. government’s “Safe Haven” program.
The bill’s sponsor, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R NY-24) stated, “Fort Ontario holds a remarkable place in both Oswego County’s history and our nation’s history, and its story deserves to be preserved for generations to come. As the number of Holocaust survivors continues to decline, we have a responsibility to ensure the story of the 982 refugees who found safety in Oswego is never forgotten.”
The full text of the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act (H.R. 1031) is available HERE.
Ahead of Wednesday’s hearing, Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) President of U.S. Affairs Alyza D. Lewin sent a letter of support for the bill to the heads of the House Committee on Natural Resources.
“As antisemitism continues to rise in the United States and around the world, and fewer Holocaust survivors remain to share their stories, we must preserve historical sites like Safe Haven at Fort Ontario for generations to come,” Lewin stated. “The Holocaust Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario provided sanctuary during one of history’s darkest moments, and it deserves recognition in the National Park System.”
Designating Fort Ontario as a national park would guarantee “future generations encounter this history firsthand, long after the last survivors are gone,” she added.
“The Combat Antisemitism Movement commends Rep. Claudia Tenney for her leadership on the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act and for spearheading this important effort to preserve Fort Ontario’s legacy,” Lewin concluded.
In addition to CAM, other organizations supporting the legislation include: American Jewish Committee, Jewish Federation of North America, Anti-Defamation League, and Zionist Organization for America.
Read more:
Oswego County Clerk Testifies in Support of Fort Ontario Bill
