‘Living legend’: Schumer honors centenarian Holocaust survivor with Capitol flag, Senate floor recognition

Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer made a heartwarming gesture on Monday by celebrating a remarkable 100-year-old Holocaust survivor living on Long Island. Pina Frassineti Wax, originally from Rome, Italy, survived the Holocaust before settling in Long Island’s hamlet of Baldwin. Schumer honored her by gifting her with a flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in her honor and bestowing her with a special Senate floor recognition as a New York “hometown hero.”

During the ceremony, Schumer praised Pina’s resilience and dedication to teaching, loving, and learning despite facing the horrors of the Holocaust. He highlighted the rarity of Americans who are both 100 years old and Holocaust survivors, making Pina’s story even more remarkable.

Pina’s journey from the Jewish ghetto in Rome to finding refuge in America is a testament to her strength and perseverance. Before fleeing Europe, she and her family sought shelter in a Catholic convent to escape the Nazis. Schumer emphasized that Pina’s history includes the loss of family members in Dachau, but she never lost hope. Her late husband, Mario Wax, a Jewish Italian who served in the U.S. Army and was awarded a Bronze Star, supported her through forty-four wonderful years together.

As Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches on Jan. 27, Schumer’s tribute to Pina serves as a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed during one of the darkest chapters of human history. He commended Pina for emerging from the horrors of the Holocaust with an unwavering commitment to survival, rebuilding, and ensuring that the atrocities are never forgotten.

The ceremony was attended by Pina’s family members, as well as Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. The recognition of Pina’s extraordinary life comes at a time when New York grapples with antisemitism, particularly in response to the ongoing war in Israel since October 2023. Last year, the state witnessed antisemitic protests, with agitators and student protesters causing unrest on college campuses like Columbia University.

In honoring Pina Frassineti Wax, Schumer not only pays tribute to her remarkable journey but also underscores the importance of remembering the Holocaust and standing against hate and discrimination in all its forms. Pina’s story serves as a beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring others to never give up in the face of adversity.