May 3, 1999

CALIFORNIA

RESOLUTION

BILL NUMBER: ACR 20

PASSED THE SENATE APRIL 29, 1999 PASSED THE ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 1999 AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 15, 1999

INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Kaloogian and Senator Poochigian and Assembly Members Wildman, Papan, and Alquist (Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Villaraigosa and Hertzberg) (Coauthors: Assembly Members Aanestad, Ackerman, Aroner, Ashburn, Baldwin, Bates, Battin, Baugh, Bock, Brewer, Briggs, Calderon, Campbell, Cardenas, Cardoza, Cedillo, Corbett, Correa, Cox, Cunneen, Davis, Dickerson, Ducheny, Dutra, Firebaugh, Florez, Floyd, Frusetta, Gallegos, Granlund, Havice, Honda, House, Jackson, Keeley, Knox, Kuehl, Leach, Lempert, Leonard, Longville, Lowenthal, Machado, Maddox, Maldonado, Margett, Mazzoni, McClintock, Migden, Nakano, Olberg, Oller, Robert Pacheco, Rod Pacheco, Pescetti, Reyes, Romero, Runner, Scott, Shelley, Soto, Steinberg, Strickland, Strom-Martin, Thomson, Torlakson, Vincent, Wayne, Wesson, Wiggins, Wright, and Zettel)

MARCH 3, 1999

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 20--Relative to the Armenian Genocide.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE: DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.

THIS MEASURE WOULD DESIGNATE APRIL 24, 1999, AS "CALIFORNIA DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923, AND FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE SUMGAIT POGROMS OF 1988 AND BAKU RIOTS OF 1990." IT WOULD CALL UPON THE PEOPLE OF CALIFORNIA TO USE VIGILANCE TO ENSURE THE PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF THE NAGORNO KARABAGH CONFLICT WHILE PROTECTING THE SECURITY OF THE ARMENIANS IN THE REPUBLIC OF NAGORNO KARABAGH.

WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 was the first genocide of the 20th century, in which 1.5 million men, women, and children lost their lives at the hands of the Turkish Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, During the seven decades of the USSR's existence, the government of Soviet Azerbaijan conducted a systematic policy of removal of Karabagh Armenians from their historic homeland; and

WHEREAS, Armenians in Azerbaijan fell victims to the Sumgait Pogroms in 1988 resulting in 72 deaths, the Baku anti-Armenian riots in 1990 resulting in 68 Armenian deaths, and the mass deportations of 350,000 Armenians from Azerbaijan; and

WHEREAS, Recognition of these instances of man's inhumanity to man is crucial to ensuring against the repetition of genocide and provides the American public with a greater understanding of its heritage; and

WHEREAS, Armenians in the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh remain at risk of yet another genocide until the time when a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict is reached that guarantees the freedom and security for these people while supporting their right to self-determination; and

WHEREAS, Despite the abundance of overwhelming and convincing evidence, the government of Turkey persists in denying the occurrence of the Armenian Genocide; and

WHEREAS, California is home to the largest Armenian-American population in the United States, and Armenians living in California have enriched our state through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby designates April 24, 1999, as "California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, and for the Victims of the Sumgait Pogroms of 1988 and Baku Riots of 1990"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the people of California are called upon to use vigilance to ensure the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabagh conflict while protecting the security of the Armenians in the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and to the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee.