Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th Street, NW Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: anca@anca.org
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
MONTANA GOVERNOR COMMEMORATES THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— Montana becomes 32nd State to
Recognize the Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, DC Montana today became the 32nd U.S. state to
recognize the Armenian Genocide, joining with the Armenian American
community and all people of good conscience in honoring the victims
of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
Governor Judy Martz, in a letter of recognition sent to the ANCA,
stated that she was “pleased to recognize your achievements to
bring awareness and recognition to the one and one-half million
Christian Armenian men, women and children who were victims of the
brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from
1915 to 1923.” She went on to explain that recognition of the 89th
anniversary of the genocide is “crucial to guarding against
repetition of future genocides.”
Montana joins 31 states that have already recognized the Armenian
Genocide through Governor proclamations or adoption of State
resolutions, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California,
Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah,
Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Commenting on Gov. Martz’ statement, Montana resident and lifelong
ANC activist Yedvart Tchakerian stated “I am proud of Gov. Martz’
principled stand recognizing the Armenian Genocide and joining with
our community in this solemn remembrance. I can only hope that our
legislators in Washington will take similar action through passage
of the Genocide Resolution in the House and Senate.”
Armenian American activist Bob Semonian, a long-time friend of the
Montana Governor, played a key role in bringing this matter to her
attention.
The complete text of the letter of recognition is provided below.
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TEXT OF MONTANA GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT
April 2004
On behalf of citizens of the State of Montana, I am pleased to
recognize your achievements to bring awareness and recognition to
the one and one-half million Christian Armenian men, women and
children who were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the
Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923.
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. Recognition of the eighty-
ninth 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.
I urge recognition of their plight on April 24th, 2004, which is
nationally recognized as a Day of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide of 1915-1923.
Sincerely
[signed]
JUDY MARTZ
Governor