Holocaust Survivor Werner Coppel is the featured speaker and the theme is "Choosing to Act: Stories of Rescue" at the Governor's 32nd Annual Holocaust Commemoration at the Ohio Statehouse on April 17, 2012.
Werner Coppel was born in Germany in 1925. In the spring of 1941, he was sent to a forced labor camp in Neuendorf, near Berlin. In 1943, he, along with the whole group of youngsters, was sent to the Concentration Camp Auschwitz-Buna. In late January 1945, Werner escaped from a Death March and after the war, returned to Berlin. He and his family arrived as "Displaced Persons" in Cincinnati in August of 1949.
Werner served on the Jewish Community Relations Council in Cincinnati and serves on the Board of The Center for Holocaust and Humanity Education. During the last 35 years he has lectured at schools, churches and civic groups in the tri-state area about the Holocaust and its lessons. Each year, he speaks to nearly 5,000 students. In 2001, Werner received a Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from The College of Mount St. Joseph in Cincinnati. In May, he will be inducted in to the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Werner is married, has 2 sons and 4 grandchildren.
Welcome:
Steve Miller, President, Ohio Jewish Communities
Opening Remarks:
J. David Heller, Past President, Ohio Jewish Communities, Cleveland and Member, US Holocaust Memorial Council
Rep. Armond Budish, Ohio House Minority Leader
David Goodman, Director, Ohio Department of Commerce
Remarks and Presentation of Governor's Proclamation:
The Honorable John R. Kasich, Governor of the State of Ohio
Accepting: Dick Weiland, Cincinnati, Co-Chair, State Capitol Leadership Circle, Ohio Jewish Communities
Presentation of House Resolution:
The Honorable Bill Batchelder, Speaker, Ohio House of Representatives
Accepting: William Joseph, Cleveland, Co-Chair, State Capitol Leadership Circle, Ohio Jewish Communities
Presentation of Senate Resolution:
The Honorable Tom Niehaus, President, Ohio Senate
Accepting: Steve Miller, Cincinnati, President, Ohio Jewish Communities
Presentation by Ohio Legislative Black Caucus:
Rep. Charleta B. Tavares, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus
Accepting: Martin H. Belsky, Akron, Vice President, Ohio Jewish Communities
Holocaust Testimony:
Werner Coppel, Cincinnati
Candle Lighting Ceremony:
Governor Kasich
Werner Coppel
Representative Stephen Slesnick
PUCO Commissioner Steve Lesser
Alexandra Schimmer, Solicitor General, Ohio Attorney General's Office
Laura Horowitz Johnson, Chief of Staff, Lt. Governor Mary Taylor
