April 12, 1999

PENNSYLVANIA

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No. 94 Session of 1999

INTRODUCED BY LAUGHLIN, DONATUCCI, GEORGE, PIPPY, BEARDI, CORRIGAN, THOMAS, ORIE, CALTAGIRONE, GANNON, WOGAN, ROBINSON, S. MILLER, MASLAND, CAPPABIANCA, HUTCHINSON, FICTER, MUNDY, PRESTON, PETRONE, TRELLO, TANGRETTI, BEBKO-JONES, E.Z. TAYLOR, MANDERINO, CLYMER, WALKO, BELFANTI, MELIO, KIRKLAND, CLARK, BROWNE, B. SMITH, L.I. COHEN, GIGLIOTTI, LESCOVITZ, RAMOS, ROSS, McNAUGHTON, SAINATO, ARGALL, DeLUCA, LEH, SATHER, CURRY, HARHART, HARHAI, CIVERA, HORSEY, YOUNGBLOOD, MARSICO, FREEMAN, McCALL, BARD, SHANER, JOSEPHS, RUBLEY, HESS, DALEY, TIGUE, GEIST, SEYFERT, MARKOSEK, READSHAW, SANTONI, LEDERER, ROONEY, DAILEY AND FAIRCHILD, MARCH 24, 1999

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 24, 1999.

A RESOLUTION

Proclaiming April 24, 1999, as a commemorative day for the victims of the Armenian genocide.

WHEREAS, The Armenians are an ancient people, having settled in the vicinity of Mount Ararat in the seventh century B.C., and have long been fervent believers in Christianity. That religion became the state religion of Armenia in the fourth century A.D., making Armenia one of the first nations to accept Christianity; and

WHEREAS, Through the actions of St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Armenian Apostolic Church was established in the fourth century A.D. and continues to exist to this present day, along with various other Christian communions to be found among Armenians in the United States, in Armenia, and elsewhere throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Armenians have always believed in the principles of freedom of conscience and worship and hold these principles sacred to this very day; and

WHEREAS, During World War I, some 1,555,000 Armenians were massacred as a result of actions of the Ottoman Empire. Many others were forced to flee from Armenia; and

WHEREAS, These tragic events constitute the first instance of genocide in the 20th century, serving as a precedent to the Holocaust occurring prior to and during World War II and as a reminder of man's inhumanity to man; and

WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans have contributed greatly to the progress of America by their activities in the arts, business, the learned professions, academia, philanthropy, and also in government, wherein Armenian-Americans occupy the highest executive offices; and

WHEREAS, April 24 has been observed for over 70 years as Armenian Martyrs' Day, to honor the memory of those who died for their beliefs and principles; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives proclaim April 24, 1999, as a commemorative day to honor the victims of the Armenian genocide.

ADOPTED, APRIL 12, 1999 (195-1)