March 15, 2004

WHEREAS, April 24th is the traditional day to remember Armenians who died in 1915, fighting for the rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience; and

WHEREAS, this day serves as an important reminder prompting us to renew our vigilance against tyranny and promote the principles of human dignity and human rights worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian-American people have a proud heritage and continue to make valuable contributions to the cultural, economic, social and political development of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that we join with the Armenian-American community in New Jersey to commemorate the memory of the victims, in hopes that we, as a State and as individual citizens, will strive to overcome prejudice, hatred and indifference through learning, tolerance and remembrance;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. MCGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do here by proclaim

April 24, 2004

as

Armenian Martyrs Day

In New Jersey

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this fifteenth day of March in the year of Our Lord two thousand four and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

[signed] James E. McGreevey
Governor

By the Governor:
[signed] Regena L. Thomas,
Secretary of State