February 24, 2005

PROCLAMATION

We the Mayor and the City Council, by virtue of the authority vested by the City of Galveston, Texas, do proclaim

April 24, 2005 As ARMENIAN MARTYR'S DAY In the City of Galveston

WHEREAS, City of Galveston and Armavir region in Armenia have been sister cities since September 2001 through the University of Texas Medical Branch healthcare and disaster preparedness collaboration funded by AIHA-USAID; and

WHEREAS, On April 24th, 2005, Armenians around the world will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; during the First World War, the Turkish Empire in an effort of general extermination and elimination of all traces of a thriving and noble civilizations over 3,000 years old; of the Armenians population in Eastern Turkey, massacred approximately 1.5 million men, women, and children in the twentieth century's first genocides; and

WHEREAS, The survivors and descendents of this genocide which drove them from their homeland, recall and commemorate April 24, 1915 as Armenian Martyr's Day; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council for the City of Galveston, Texas, does urge each and every citizen to join our sister city and commemorate this tragic event in world history and to strengthen our commitment to the cause of liberty and justice in this and all other nations of the world.

In testimony whereof, witness my hand and Seal of the City of Galveston, this 24th day of February 2005.

(Signed)

Lyda Ann Thomas, Mayor

City of Galveston, Texas

(Signed)

Barbara Lawrence, City Secretary

City of Galveston, Texas