April 22, 1999

STATE OF MICHIGAN

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 74

Offered by Representative Andrew Raczkowski

A RESOLUTION OBSERVING THE 84TH COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923

Whereas, On April 25, 1999, at St. John's Armenian church in Southfield, Michigan, the devoted members and guests will observe the 84th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. It is with heavy hearts that we join with them in recalling this painful chapter in the history of the world and in paying homage to the more than 1,500,000 Armenians whose lives were inhumanely sacrificed and the more than 500,000 Armenians who were forced into exile during this terror. The memory of these victims deserve and, indeed, demand this special observance in their honor; and

Whereas, Suffering and sacrifice of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and their descendants must not be forgotten. What began with the arrest and murder of 200 Armenian religious, intellectual, and political leaders in 1915 ended after eight years of genocide. Armenians were brutally rounded up, separated from loved ones, robbed, tortured, humiliated, and forced on one of history's worst death marches. Those who remained were driven into concentration camps or murdered for not accepting the Islamic faith; and

Whereas, The wounds of this atrocity will long continue to sear the memories of survivors of this genocide and their many descendants. Clearly, all of humanity suffers when such senseless killing is allowed to happen, and all of us must be aware of this evil era so that we will not let it happen again. With more than 35,000 people of Armenian descent living in the Detroit area alone, Michigan will never forget this nightmare of the past; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we observe the 84th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this document be presented to representatives of the Armenian people as evidence of our respect.

Adopted by the House of Representatives, April 22, 1999

(signed)
Gary Randall
CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES