Below, from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum...

CHICAGO -- As part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's
Chicago Speaker Series, which brings national educational programming to
Chicago, Museum archivist Steven Mize will discuss the recently discovered
writings of American diplomat James Grover McDonald. McDonald early on
recognized the threat that Nazi regime posed to European Jewry and worked
tirelessly to warn governments and organizations of the coming danger.

His
diaries and papers, most of which were only found in 2004 and then donated
to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, provide a fascinating inside
look into many of the key events of the 20th century, from the rise of Nazism
to the establishment of the State of Israel. 

Mize will discuss McDonald's papers, their historical significance and how a
combination of detective work and serendipity led to them being donated to
the Museum. Indiana University Press, in association with the Museum, is
publishing McDonald's papers in a projected three-volume set. The second
volume, "Refugees and Rescue, The Diaries and Papers of James G. McDonald,
1934-1945," was published in April 2009.



"Very few individuals interact with such a stunning array of historical figures
and events," says Mize. "McDonald had access to the highest levels of
governments in the U.S. and abroad for almost three decades. His poignant
observations paint a fuller picture of key players on the world stage."

Through a number of key diplomatic posts - from League of Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees in the 1930s to the first U.S. Ambassador to Israel
in 1949 - James McDonald closely interacted with many of the day's leading
personalities. His diaries record meetings with; Presidents Hoover, Roosevelt
and Truman; Hitler and Mussolini; Cardinal Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII;
and Israeli leaders such as David Ben Gurion, Chaim Weizmann and Golda Meir;
among many others.

His writings eventually filled more than 10,000 pages and
offer a unique first-hand glimpse into events of World War II, the Holocaust
and the creation of the State of Israel.



The first program is on Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at North Suburban
Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL. The event is
chaired by Mally and Alan Rutkoff.

The second program is on Thursday, June
18 at 7 p.m. at Temple Sholom of Chicago, 3480 N. Lake Shore Drive,
Chicago, IL and is being chaired by Roz and Mickey Supera. 



Through traveling exhibitions, public programming, teacher training programs,
and more, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum brings Holocaust education to
Chicago and around the country. This program is part of the Museum's
ongoing Chicago Speaker Series, which earlier this year featured Museum
archivist Rebecca Erbelding. Erbelding spoke about a unique, recently
discovered photo album which provided a first-time look into the lives of SS
officers at the largest Nazi killing center.



 

A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, promote
human dignity and prevent genocide. Federal support guarantees the
Museum's permanent place on the National Mall, and its far-reaching
educational programs and global impact are made possible by the generosity
of donors nationwide. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.



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Chicago Discussion of Genocide Prevention Task Force

U.S. HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND
U.S. INSTITUTE OF PEACE TO DISCUSS GENOCIDE PREVENTION TASK FORCE
AT CHICAGO-KENT COLLEGE OF LAW

Task Force co-chaired by Madeleine Albright and William Cohen developed
blueprint to improve U.S. Government genocide prevention capabilities


CHICAGO - The Genocide Prevention Task Force was jointly convened by the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the United States Institute of
Peace and The American Academy of Diplomacy to generate concrete
recommendations to enhance the U.S. government's capacity to prevent and
respond to emerging threats of genocide and mass atrocities. The Task
Force, co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright and
former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen, issued its final report in
December 2008.

The report makes the case for why genocide and mass
atrocities threaten core American values and national interests. 



Task Force members John Heffernan, Director of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial
Museum's Genocide Prevention Initiative, and Lawrence Woocher, Senior
Program Officer at the U.S. Institute of Peace, will discuss the report's
recommendations at Preventing Genocide: A Blueprint for U.S. Policymakers
being held at Chicago-Kent College of Law on June 15.



"The Task Force report is a blueprint for how the U.S. government can
improve its capacity to prevent mass atrocities and genocide," said
Heffernan. "We believe the public cares about this issue and hope to engage
them in our efforts to make these recommendations a reality."
Bartram S. Brown, Professor of Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law will also
deliver remarks, and the discussion will be moderated by Ambassador David
Scheffer.



The program will take place Monday, June 15, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at the
Chicago-Kent College of Law, 10th Floor Event Room, 565 West Adams Street
in Chicago.

This event is organized in cooperation with the United States Holocaust
Memorial Museum, the Chicago-Kent College of Law, the United States
Institute of Peace, and the United Nations Association of USA Greater
Chicago Chapter.


A living memorial to the Holocaust, the United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum inspires citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, promote
human dignity and prevent genocide. Its far-reaching educational programs
and global impact are made possible by the generosity of donors nationwide
through legacy and annual giving. For more information, visit www.ushmm.org.



The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, national
institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent
and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and
development, and increase peacebuilding capacity, tools, and intellectual
capital worldwide. The Institute does this by empowering others with
knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in
peacebuilding efforts around the globe.
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