1. Jun 2, 2026

   City Council

   meeting page

   Passed · Adopted

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WHEREAS, Sami Steigmann has exhibited qualities of great resilience and courage throughout his life. As a Holocaust survivor, Sami serves as a testament to the willpower and grit of the Jewish people; and,

WHEREAS, born in Czernovitz, Bukovina, belonging to Romania and currently in modern-day Ukraine, on December 21, 1939, Sami and his family were forced into the labor camp Transnistria in Mogilev-Podolsky, Ukraine from 1941 to 1944. While there, Sami was subject to Nazi medical experimentation. Sami also faced extreme harsh conditions including life-threatening starvation and severe winters; and,

WHEREAS, after being liberated from the camp by the Red Army, Sami grew up in Transylvania. After his family immigrated to Israel in 1961, Sami joined the Israeli Airforce. Later, Sami immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin before returning to Israel. In 1988, Sami would find a home in New York City; and,

WHEREAS, Sami continued to share his story of fortitude and tenacity through motivational speeches and volunteer work. As a result, Sami has aided in keeping the story of Holocaust survivors alive; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Steigmann was awarded the Harmony Power Award by the Museum of Tolerance in New York City on February 17 th, 2016. Along with this award, Sami received a proclamation from the New York State Assembly for his work and lifelong courage; and,

WHEREAS, Mr. Steigmann has received the We Remember Award by The World Jewish Council for his work of preserving the memory of the Holocaust on February 22nd, 2018. Mr. Steigman has been awarded a Special Congressional Recognition in 2019 for his work with his community. In January of 2022, Sami was invited to the General Assembly of the United Nations alongside other Holocaust survivors.

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NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby honor and celebrate Sami Steigmann for his resilience before, during, and after the Holocaust. Mr. Steigmann has dedicated his life to maintain the memory of the Holocaust and those lost; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare June 2nd, 2026, to be "Sami Steigmann Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.