CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker issued the following statement on the passing of Illinois Holocaust Museum President Emeritus Samuel Harris:

“I am heartbroken by the passing of my good friend Sam Harris. A champion for good who inspired people to fight bigotry and hatred, Sam attracted a community of followers built on hope and compassion.

“I was lucky enough to know Sam for nearly three decades as a friend and a leader in building the Illinois Holocaust Museum. As a Holocaust survivor, Sam experienced the very worst of humanity – yet spent his entire life believing in and bringing out the best. The fact that he suffered so mightily but still emerged with relentless and infectious optimism tells you everything about who Sam was.

“Just as he did for countless others and for younger generations, Sam profoundly shaped and enlightened my outlook on the world in ways large and small. Whenever anything bad would happen, Sam would say, ‘It’s Beshert – something better will come out of this difficulty.’ He was always right, and often because he made it so.

“I am forever grateful for having known and loved Sam. His spirit will continue to live on in the lives that he touched and in the kinder, more inclusive world he helped create. MK and my thoughts are with Dede, Jeff, Julie, and his entire family, who he loved so dearly. May his memory be a blessing to us all.”

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