The White House announced today that President Bush will be appointing Senator Shapiro to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, for the remainder of a five-year term expiring January 15, 2010.

Senator Shapiro is honored by the appointment saying, "President Bush knows of my family heritage and our story during and after the Holocaust. This honor brings my parents' life full circle."

The Council oversees the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The Museum is dedicated to documenting, studying, and interpreting the history of the Holocaust. It also serves as the nation's official memorial to the millions of European Jews and others killed during the Holocaust under directives of Nazi Germany.

For more information on the Museum and its Council, visit USHMM online.