October 28th, 2011

President of the International Auschwitz Committee appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council

President Barack Obama has appointed the President of the International Auschwitz Committee, Roman Kent, to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.

The council acts as the administrative body of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington. Roman Kent will be accompanying the museum's work together with Elie Wiesel and other Holocaust survivors.

Also among the appointees is Clemantine Wamariya, a survivor of the genocide in Rwanda who had to live in several different African refugee camps before she came to Chicago in the year 2000. Today, she is a student at Yale University and, meanwhile, a well-known contemporary witness concerning the subjects of genocide and human rights.
The White House announced the appointment of five new members to the council on October 28, 2011.

President Obama said: "These fine public servants both bring a depth of experience and tremendous dedication to their new roles. Our nation will be well-served by these men and women, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come".

Elie Wiesel was the founding chairman of the council in 1980. Mr. Wiesel is a survivor of the Holocaust, distinguished author and Nobel Laureate and is currently a professor at Boston University. His fellow appointee, Roman Kent is also a survivor of the Holocaust and President of the Namor International Corporation. Mr. Kent has made a documentary film and published several books. He is involved in numerous foundations and President of the International Auschwitz Committee (adapted from the White House press release).

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