April 3, 2003

Executive Department

State of California

Proclamation
by the Governor of the State of California

WHEREAS, the Ottoman Empire executed a prolonged program of terror and mass execution that resulted in the deaths of more than 1.5 million men, women, and children of Armenians heritage; and

WHEREAS, a million and a half Armenians were killed during the Armenian Genocide because of the abhorrent ignorance, intolerance, and inhumanity that prevailed in Turkey during the year 1915; and

WHEREAS, to ensure that the terrible truth is never forgotten and that future generation of Armenian Americans and Californians can learn about this painful and important episode in history, school and universities throughout California should promote awareness and teach students about the Armenian Genocide; and

WHEREAS, we must all do our best to raise awareness about the Armenians Genocide not only because it is an undeniable chapter of world history, but also because learning more about this unconscionable tragedy will help people better understand the necessity of eliminating hatred form our own communities; and

WHEREAS, April 24, 2003 marks the 88th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, a day we recall one of the most horrific tragedies of the 20th century, and a day hundreds of thousands of Armenians living in California mourn the unjustifiable loss of their forefathers;

NOW, THEREFORE, I GRAY DAVIS, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2003 as a "State Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide."

IN WITNESS HEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this the third day of April 2003.

(signed)
Gray Davis

Governor of California