The Senate of Maryland on Jan. 27 adopted a resolution honoring Lou Porurillis, a Holocaust survivor who was hidden as a child during World War II and later came to the United States.

Senator, District 11, chair of the Jewish Caucus introduced the resolution and recounted Porurillis’s wartime experience, saying the honoree was hidden by a Catholic family after his parents were killed, spent time in a displaced persons camp and later emigrated to the United States, where he became involved in public service and worked as an attorney. “It’s more important than ever that we remember, and take to heart never again,” the senator said.

The senator also invited Lisonbee Baumold, identified as a senior vice president at the Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore and a constituent who shared her grandmother’s story, to the chamber for the observance. The senator noted that Jan. 27 is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a date designated by the United Nations General Assembly, and cited a survey of more than 58,000 adults across over 100 countries in which, the senator said, roughly 20% reported they had never heard of the Holocaust.

The clerk read the resolution in full; the resolution text recorded that the Senate “offers its sincerest congratulations to Lou [Porurillis] in recognition of surviving the holocaust as a hidden child” and directs that the resolution be presented on Jan. 27, 2025. The body adopted the resolution by roll call; the clerk recorded 45 votes in the affirmative. No nay votes, abstentions or individual roll-call breakdown were listed in the transcript excerpt.

The observance and adoption occurred as the chamber noted International Holocaust Remembrance Day and recognized guest attendees from the Jewish community. Following the resolution, the Senate continued with routine business, including the reading of bills and announcements of caucus meetings, and recessed until its next scheduled session.