April 24, 2004

WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide was carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, resulting in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians and deportation from their historic homeland of 500,000 others; and

WHEREAS, The unfolding genocide was reported widely across Minnesota and in Rochester; moreover, in an editorial of October 13, 1915, the Rochester Daily Post and Record denounced the extermination of the Armenians; and

WHEREAS, The failure of the domestic and international authorities to exact justice from those responsible for the Armenian Genocide is a reason why similar genocides have recurred around the world, and a firm international and judicial response would have spared humanity needless suffering; and

WHEREAS, One hundred twenty-six of the world's leading scholars of the Holocaust and the International Center for Transitional Justice have affirmed that the World War I Armenian genocide is historical fact; and

WHEREAS, In Rochester's 150th anniversary year, we recognize that Armenian-Americans have made significant contributions to our city and state; and

WHEREAS, The Governor of Minnesota and the Mayors of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth have made similar proclamations on the anniversary of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, April 24; and it is fitting that all people of goodwill join the Armenian-American community in commemoration of this crime against humanity.

NOW THEREFORE: I, Ardell F. Brede, Mayor of the City of Rochester, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2004 as

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

in the City of Rochester

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the corporate seal of the City of Rochester to be affixed this 24th day of April in the year of two thousand four.

Signed
Ardell F. Brede, Mayor

City of Rochester, Minnesota