Milan Chatterjee, an Associate Compliance Counsel for the Las Vegas Sands testified favoring Assembly Bill 257 to establish the Nevada State Holocaust Museum.  If approved, the Nevada State Holocaust Museum will be established within the Division of Museums and History of the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affair.  The Museum will provide for the documentation, study, and interpretation of history related to the Holocaust.

As per the NV State Museum administrator, a quick Internet search reveals there are presently over 60 Holocaust museums, memorials, and education centers located in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

As per the Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner, one of the sponsors of the bill, the museum shall be privately funded and a feasibility study shall be completed within two years from the date the act becomes effective or not later than July 1, 2021.

“I support the establishment of a Nevada State Holocaust Museum for three reasons. First, the Holocaust Museum will unite Nevadans to stand against anti-Semitism, discrimination, and intolerance. Second, the Holocaust Museum will serve as a vital educational and community center for Nevadans and out-of-state visitors, enhancing our state’s diversity and economy. Third, the Holocaust Museum will commemorate a historic event for the Jewish and Israeli-American communities, and our nation, and preserve the memories of those who suffered,” said Milan.

Below is the text of full testimony by Milan Chatterjee urging the committee to pass AB257 establishing a Holocaust Museum in Nevada…

Good Morning:

My name is Milan Chatterjee, and I am a proud resident of Las Vegas. I’ve had the privilege to be involved in a number of Jewish organizations that strengthen the sacred bond between the United States and Israel.

Currently, I serve as Associate Compliance Counsel for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Today, I’m here in my personal capacity, to enthusiastically support AB 257.

Nevada’s diversity has been enriched by the Jewish and Israeli-American communities. The Holocaust is a landmark event for these communities and our nation. Through the Holocaust, we learned the importance of human rights, dignity, and how hatred and discrimination can lead to the unthinkable.

While the Holocaust took place over 70 years ago, it’s heartbreaking to see that in 2019, anti-Semitism remains disturbingly high. Holocaust denial and Holocaust revisionism has become widespread. Political leaders—of both parties—are getting ostracized for supporting the Jewish people and the state of Israel.

Worse yet, our nation is seeing the rampant growth of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (also known as BDS) movement. The BDS movement calls for our nation to end all economic, academic, and cultural ties with the Jewish homeland. On college campuses, the BDS movement viciously targets, harasses, and discriminates against Jewish and pro-Israel students who advocate for strong U.S.- Israel ties.

As UCLA’s former Graduate Student Body President, I stood up to the BDS movement, and my story received widespread global coverage. For over a year, the BDS movement and allied legal and political groups personally targeted me, because my administration abstained from supporting their anti-Israel agenda.

Moreover, through my involvement with Jewish organizations, I recognize that anti- Semitism is a great threat to our society. Now, more than ever, our society needs to look back to the lessons of the Holocaust, and resolve that we will “never again” allow for anti-Semitism to envenom our society.

I support the establishment of a Nevada State Holocaust Museum for three reasons. First, the Holocaust Museum will unite Nevadans to stand against anti-Semitism, discrimination, and intolerance. Second, the Holocaust Museum will serve as a vital educational and community center for Nevadans and out-of-state visitors, enhancing our state’s diversity and economy. Third, the Holocaust Museum will commemorate a historic event for the Jewish and Israeli-American communities, and our nation, and preserve the memories of those who suffered.

For these reasons, I urge you to pass AB 257. Thank you.