April 26, 2002

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 44

Resolution Chapter 39

Assembly Joint Resolution No. 44 – Relative to the Armenian Genocide.
(Filed with Secretary of State April 26, 2002)

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AJR 44, Simitian. Armenian Genocide: Day of Remembrance. This measure would designate April 24, 2002, as “California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.” It would memorialize the Congress of the United States to likewise commemorate the Armenian Genocide.

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; 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 still inexplicably 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 the need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities connected to these tragic events; and

WHEREAS, Recognition of the 87th 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, 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 though their leadership in the fields of business, agriculture, academia, medicine, government, and the arts and are proud and patriotic practitioners of American citizenship; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby designates April 24, 2002, as “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 likewise act to commemorate the Armenian Genocide; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly 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.