April 14, 1975

A Heroic Posterity

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Executive Department

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, two hundred years ago, our nation committed itself to oppose tyranny and oppression, and began its historic struggle for independence; and

WHEREAS, that struggle has given hope and inspiration to millions of victims of persecution and oppression all over the world, many of whom have found refuge in our country; and

WHEREAS, sixty years ago, millions of Armenians fled in terror from their ancient homeland, and one and half million Armenians were massacred in an attempt by the Turkish authorities of that time to exterminate the Armenian race; and

WHEREAS, on April 24, Armenians the world over commemorate Martyrs' Day, the day in 1915 when the Turks arrested and killed 250 Armenian community leaders and intellectuals; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting to honor the memory of those martyrs, in the hope that the conscience of the world can bring a halt to senseless slaughter, an end to all human suffering, and a reawakening of a sense of justice for the Armenian people; and

WHEREAS, it is also appropriate to pay tribute to the survivors of the Armenian tragedy, especially to the hundreds of thousands who have made their home in our country and have become hard-working, loyal citizens, many of whom we are proud to have reside in our own State of New Jersey;

NOW, THERFORE, I, BRENDAN BYRNE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim

APRIL 24, 1975

as

ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY

in New Jersey, and urge all citizens to duly support its observance, for we must never be indifferent, never forget, never ignore injustice and human suffering.

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this fourteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-five, and in the Independence of the United States, the one hundred and ninety-ninth.

(Signed)
Brendan Byrne
Governor