April 24, 2006

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide constituted one of the most tragic chapters of the 20th Century; and

WHEREAS, Between 1915 and 1923, during the closing years of the Ottoman Empire, approximately two million Armenians experienced forcible exile from the land where their ancestors had lived for more than 2,500 years; of those deported, 1.5 million died; and

WHEREAS, This holocaust is commemorated annually on April 24-- the anniversary of the arrest, in 1915, of more than 200 Armenian community leaders in Constantinople; most of those detained were executed, and the scale of this assault was a grim harbinger of the attacks to come; and

WHEREAS, Genocide has continued to stain the history of humankind and to bring untold pain and grief to millions of individuals; and

WHEREAS, It is incumbent on citizens around the globe to reflect on the lessons of the past and to work toward peace and reconciliation among all people of the world; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That April 24, 2006, be recognized as Armenian Martyrs Day and that all Texans be encouraged to observe this solemn day of remembrance.

(Signed)
Burt R. Solomons
State Respresentative
District 65