February 8, 1999

GEORGIA

SENATE RESOLUTION 118

BY: Senator [Van] Streat [Sr.] of the 19th [district]

A RESOLUTION

Honoring the worldwide victims of genocide and recognizing April 24, 1999, as "Georgia Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923"; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, one and one-half million men, women, and children of Armenian descent were the victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide and massacres of Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and

WHEREAS, the denial of the Armenian genocide by the present-day Turkish government continues to antagonize the Armenian people concerning their own rightful place in history; and

WHEREAS, by consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenians, Georgians are highly sensitive to the need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future; and

WHEREAS, recognition of the eighty-fourth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events; and

WHEREAS, Georgia is home to over 500 Armenian families; and

WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans living in Georgia have greatly enriched our state through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body join the Armenian community in honoring the memory of the victims of genocide throughout the world and recognize April 24, 1999, as "Georgia Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate calls upon the people of Georgia to observe that day by remembering the one and one-half million people of Armenian ancestry who lost their lives during that terrible time.

BE IT FURTHER REOSLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Armenian Independent Cultural Association of Atlanta, Inc.

[Passed February 8, 1999]