Resolution 2025-33931 2025-33931
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING THE CITY'S MOURNING FOR THE
PASSING OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER DAVID
SCHAECTER; HONORING HIS LIFE, LEGACY, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO
THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND BEYOND; RECOGNIZING HIS COURAGE
IN EDUCATING GENERATIONS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST AND HIS WORK
TO FIGHT ANTISEMITISM IN ALL FORMS; EXPRESSING THE CITY'S
STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY; THANKING HIS
WIFE SYDNEY FOR HER DEVOTION DURING HIS LATER YEARS; AND
DECLARING APRIL 30 AS "DAVID SCHAECTER DAY" IN THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH, COMMEMORATING THE DAY HE TESTIFIED BEFORE THE UNITED
STATES CONGRESS AT AGE 95 TO WARN AGAINST THE DANGERS OF
ANTISEMITISM AND HATE.
WHEREAS, David Schaecter, born August 4, 1929, in Slovakia, survived the atrocities of
Auschwitz and Buchenwald after losing his parents, siblings, and 105 members of his extended
family to the Holocaust; and
WHEREAS, as a boy of just 11 years old, David was crammed into a cattle car and sent
to Auschwitz, enduring years of unimaginable suffering before his eventual liberation and
resettlement in the United States; and
WHEREAS, upon arriving in Miami, David built a family with his first wife Marvis, with
whom he shared 53 years of marriage, raising children and establishing deep community roots,
later finding renewed strength and companionship with his beloved second wife, Sydney, who
supported and cared for him through his later years; and
WHEREAS, David Schaecter became a founding force behind the Holocaust Memorial
Miami Beach, a solemn and vital place of remembrance and education that continues to inspire
millions of residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, he dedicated his life to telling his story to students, families, and leaders so
that future generations would understand the true cost of hatred and the importance of combating
antisemitism wherever it appears; and
WHEREAS, on April 30, 2025, at the age of 95, David Schaecter testified before the United
States Congress, declaring: "I am here to remind everyone that there are still thousands of
survivors alive today who are in desperate need, and who cannot be forgotten. Thank you for
having this hearing on anti-Semitism. It has been a problem and is still a problem"; and
WHEREAS, his testimony and lifelong advocacy left an indelible mark on Miami Beach,
the State of Florida, the Jewish people, and the world; and
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach is proud of its Jewish heritage and community, and
stands firmly against antisemitism, hatred, and bigotry in all forms; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to honor David Schaecter's extraordinary life of
resilience, courage, and love by declaring April 30 — the date of his historic testimony — as a
day in his name, to ensure his voice and his mission of remembrance and justice will never be
forgotten.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission of the City of Miami Beach hereby express the City's mourning for the passing of
Holocaust survivor and community leader David Schaecter; honor his life, legacy, and
contributions to the City of Miami Beach and beyond; recognize his courage in educating
generations about the Holocaust and his work to fight antisemitism in all forms; express the City's
strongest support for the Jewish community; thank his wife Sydney for her devotion during his
later years; and declare April 30 of each year as "David Schaecter Day" in the City of Miami
Beach, commemorating the day he testified before the United States Congress at age 95 to warn
against the dangers of antisemitism and hate.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this /7 day of S�P�►'N�a� , 2025.
ATTEST:
/ Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez =�''\B"�e'',,,
=;�:...... y,
and Mayor Steven Meiner) -���-
; �.lkiORP ORAIED` '"
Co-Sponsored by CommissionerAlex J.Femandez �:
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APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
&FOR�XECUTION
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City Attorney Date
2
Resolutions - C7 AC
�/i I A�/1 I B EAC H �
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorabie Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: September 17, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, EXPRESSING THE CITY'S MOURNING FOR THE
PASSING OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER DAVID
SCHAECTER; HONORING HIS LIFE, LEGACY, AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH AND BEYOND; RECOGNIZING HIS COURAGE IN
EDUCATING GENERATIONS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST AND HIS WORK TO
FIGHT ANTISEMITISM IN ALL FORMS; EXPRESSING THE CITY'S STRONGEST
SUPPORT FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY; THANKIhG HIS WIFE SYDNEY FOR
HER DEVOTION DURING HIS LATER YEARS; AND DECLARING APRIL 30 AS
"DAVID SCHAECTER DAY" IN THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, COMMEMORATING
THE DAY HE TESTIFIED BEFORE THE UNITED STAT�S CONGRESS AT AGE 95
TO WARN AGAINST THE DANGERS OF ANTISEMITISM AND HATE.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attacned Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsors, Commissioner David
Suarez and Mayor Steven Meiner.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORD!NANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) rrva� published on:
See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerklmeeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
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Appiicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
Was this Aqenda Item initiallv requested bv a lobbvist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal enqaqed in lobbyinq? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner David Suarez
Mayor Steven Meiner
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Holocaust Survivor and Community Leader David Schaecter.
(Suarez/Meiner) CA
Previous Action (For Citv Clerk Use Only�
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