Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, along with Representative Claudia Tenney, have reintroduced legislation to designate Fort Ontario in Oswego, NY, as a National Historical Park. During World War II, the fort served as the United States’ only Holocaust refugee shelter, housing 982 mostly Jewish refugees from 1944 to 1946.
The bill aims to permanently protect this historic site, recognizing its significance in both Holocaust and American history. Schumer and Gillibrand emphasized the fort’s role in offering hope to survivors and shaping U.S. refugee policy.
Supporters, including local leaders and historians, stress the urgency of preserving Fort Ontario amid rising Holocaust denial. The designation would ensure future generations learn the refugees’ stories of survival and resilience.
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