April 24, 1999

SOUTH CAROLINA

H. 3678 Concurrent Resolution

[Introduced by Reps. T. E. Haskins and J. E. Smith]

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE APRIL 24, 1999, AS "SOUTH CAROLINA DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923" SO AS TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE ONE AND ONE-HALF MILLION PEOPLE OF ARMENIAN ANCESTRY WHO LOST THEIR LIVES DURING THAT TERRIBLE TIME AND TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

Whereas, one and one-half million men, women, and children of Armenian descent were the victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire from 1915-1923; and

Whereas, the Armenian genocide and massacres of 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, the denial of the Armenian genocide by the present-day Turkish government continues to antagonize the Armenian people concerning their own rightful place in history; and

Whereas, by consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenians, South Carolinians are highly sensitive to the need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future; and

Whereas, recognition of the eighty-fourth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events; and

Whereas, South Carolina is home to hundreds of Armenian families; and

Whereas, Armenian-Americans living in South Carolina have greatly enriched our State through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly recognize April 24, 1999, as "South Carolina Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923" so as to honor the memory of the one and one-half million people of Armenian ancestry who lost their lives during that terrible time and to honor the memory of the victims of genocide throughout the world.

Adopted in House 03/04/99

Adopted in Senate 03/17/99