April 24, 2003

Office of the Mayor
City of Fort Lauderdale
Proclamation

WHEREAS, One and one-half million Armenians were massacred through forced exile and murder at the end of the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, demonizing others lays the foundation for a dark cycle of hatred and transcending this venomous pattern requires painful introspection about the past and wise determination to forge a new future based on truth and reconciliation; and

WHEREAS, Armenians have made great contribution to our national life and through faith and courage, generations of Armenians have overcome great suffering and proudly preserved their centuries-old culture, traditions, and religion; and

WHEREAS, just as the United States reached out to the Armenian people to provide shelter and freedom early in the last century, so did Armenia extend a supportive hand to the American people in the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, as City Commissioners of the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2003 as:

ARMENIAN MARTYR'S DAY

in the City of Fort Lauderdale this, the 24th day of April 2003.

signed
Jim Naugle, Mayor