Senate Joint Resolution
No. 23
CHAPTER 21
Relative to the Armenian Genocide.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
May 14, 2012.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SJR 23, Simitian.
Armenian Genocide: day of remembrance.
This measure would designate April 24, 2012, as “California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923.” It would memorialize the Congress and the President of the United States to act likewise to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, One and one-half million men, women, and children of Armenian descent were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, inclusive; and
WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide and massacre of the Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and
WHEREAS, To this day, revisionists, including the Republic of Turkey, still deny the existence of these horrific events; and
WHEREAS, By consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenians, California residents demonstrate their sensitivity to a need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future; and
WHEREAS, Recognition of the 97th anniversary of this genocide is crucial to preventing the repetition of future genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected to these tragic events; and
WHEREAS, On this 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, it is also appropriate to remember, honor, and thank those righteous ethnic Turks and Kurds who, often at risk to their own lives, lent aid, comfort, and assistance to ethnic Armenians seeking to escape the genocide; and
WHEREAS, Armenia is now a free and independent republic, having embraced democracy following the dissolution of the Soviet Union; and
WHEREAS, California is home to the largest population of Armenians in the United States, and those citizens have enriched our state through leadership in business, agriculture, academia, medicine, government, and the arts, and they are proud and patriotic practitioners of American citizenship; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby designates April 24, 2012, as the “California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1923;” and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California respectfully memorializes the Congress of the United States to act likewise to commemorate the Armenian Genocide; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, Members of the United States Congress, the Governor, and Armenian churches and commemorative organizations in California.