Gillibrand, Schumer Announce Unanimous Senate Passage Of Bill To Establish The Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park

Gillibrand, Schumer Announce Unanimous Senate Passage Of Bill To Establish The Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park

Dec 16, 2025

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer announced unanimous Senate passage of S. 3490, which included the bipartisan Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act. The passed bill also included the America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act.

The Fort Ontario military complex dates back to the early 1840s, and during World War II, it was the only emergency refugee camp in the United States for individuals fleeing the Holocaust. From August 1944 until February 1946, Fort Ontario housed 982 majority Jewish refugees from Europe, most of whom went on to become American citizens. The Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter was supposed to be the first of many temporary relief camps across the United States during World War II, but it was the only one that came to fruition. Designating the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter as a National Historical Park would give this important historical site permanent protection and help ensure that it is preserved for generations to come.

"During the Jewish Festival of Lights and in the aftermath of what has been an especially dark week for the Jewish people, I am proud to announce Senate passage of the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act," said Senator Gillibrand. "The Holocaust Refugee Shelter at Fort Ontario was a place of safety and hope during one of the darkest moments in history, and it deserves recognition in the National Park System. I was proud to work across the aisle to get this legislation passed in the Senate, and I urge the House to pass it as swiftly as possible."

"Safe Haven and Fort Ontario stand proudly as a beacon of hope for hundreds of Jewish and European refugees forced to flee their homes to escape the horrors of the Holocaust and World War II. With Hanukkah upon us, it is fitting to celebrate the Senate passage of this bill officially designating Safe Haven as a National Historical Park," said Senator Schumer. "Fort Ontario tells the powerful history of Central New York and Oswego County dating back to the earliest days of our nation, and I've been advocating for this designation in Congress for years. I urge the House to pass this legislation as soon as possible to give Americans from across the country the opportunity to learn about Safe Haven and the role it played in shaping Central New York."

"This Hannukah, I could not possibly have asked for a better gift than the news that Senators Schumer and Gillibrand successfully advanced legislation in the United States Senate to finally memorialize the legacy of the 982 Holocaust refugees housed at Fort Ontario during World War II as a National Historical Park," said Judy Coe Rapaport, Past President, Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum. "With Antisemitism on the rise across the globe, this is about ensuring that future generations will remember the stories of those brave Holocaust survivors who took refuge at Fort Ontario, the remarkable kindness of the people of Oswego who welcomed them into their community, and all of us working together to properly honor that profound history. I am extremely grateful to Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for working tirelessly to realize this moment, as well as former Congressman John Katko and all of the other advocates who have supported this along the way."

Senator Gillibrand has been advocating for Fort Ontario for many years. In 2018, she passed a bill to require the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study (SRS) - the first step in the process to designate a site as a unit of the National Park System - of the Fort Ontario site. In 2024, the SRS was finalized and concluded that the two-acre portion of Fort Ontario representing the fort's use as a World-War II European refugee shelter meets all necessary criteria.

The Senate-passed bill will move on to the U.S. House of Representatives. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) leads companion legislation for the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act in the House.

A full video of Senator Gillibrand's remarks on the Senate floor calling for passage of the bill can be found HERE.

Senator Gillibrand's remarks as prepared for delivery can be found below:

Mr. President,

During World War II, Fort Ontario was the only U.S. refugee shelter for people fleeing the Holocaust. Let me say that again. Fort Ontario was the only U.S. refugee shelter for people fleeing the Holocaust.

After a perilous two-week Atlantic crossing, 982 refugees arrived in Oswego, New York, seeking safety. At Fort Ontario, they found more than shelter - they found hope and the chance to rebuild their lives.

Located along Lake Ontario, the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter was intended to be the first of many such havens across the country. But it was the only one that ever came to fruition, and it was one of the first places where American residents would hear firsthand accounts of the Holocaust.

We are in the midst of Hanukkah - a time that reminds us of the power of resilience and the importance of choosing light in moments of profound darkness. As antisemitism continues to rise and Jewish communities around the world mourn the horrifying antisemitic terrorist attack in Sydney, Australia, I am reminded of how essential it is to seek out that light and to lift up the stories of Holocaust survivors who came to our shores in search of a better life.

For years, I have been working with local community members to honor and preserve this site. I have listened to their stories, and I have heard about the importance of the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter to them and to their families.

I have seen how Fort Ontario stands as a testament to American compassion and to the strength of those survivors who found refuge there amid one of humanity's darkest hours.

Its story deserves a permanent place in our national memory as a part of our National Park System. Establishing the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park would give this site permanent protection and make sure it is preserved for future generations so they can learn about its history of hope, compassion, and resilience.

I want to thank Congresswoman Tenney and former Congressman Katko for leading this effort in the House. I also thank Sen. Hawley for his partnership in the Senate.

###