Armenian Assembly of America
50 North La Cienega Blvd., Suite 202
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 360-0091 phone
PRESS RELEASE
April 15, 2005
Contact: Lena Kaimian

ASSEMBLY PRAISES GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE PROCLAMATION

Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian Assembly today praised California
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as he issued a statement proclaiming
April 24, 2005, as a “Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.” “I
would like to commend Governor Schwarzenegger for his leadership on the
90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. We hope other states take
the example of California in reaffirming this record”, stated Hirair
Hovnanian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly.
This was the second proclamation that Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued
since he began his term as Governor of the State of California in 2004.
“On behalf of the Armenian-American community in California, we extend
our appreciation to Governor Schwarzenegger for his continuous support
on reaffirming the Armenian Genocide”, said Richard Mushegain, Chairman
of the Western Office of the Armenian Assembly.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

P R O C L A M A T I O N

by the Governor of the State of California

Ninety years ago today, the Ottoman Turkish government waged a war of
terror on Armenian culture through the brutal deportation, imprisonment
and decimation of men, women and children of Armenian descent. By 1923,
the Ottoman Empire had dissolved, but its monstrous attempt at ethnic
cleansing left more than 1.5 million Armenians massacred and 500,000
survivors forcibly exiled from their ancestral homeland.

Today, the Republic of Armenia remains as the world’s reminder of the
Armenian Genocide and of the indestructible spirit of a people. It is a
nation founded on the principles of freedom and democracy that we as
Americans prize above all else. Our state’s flourishing
Armenian-American population – the largest outside of Armenia – has left
its indelible stamp on our state’s history, industry and culture.

Each year, the Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide brings an
opportunity for all people to scrutinize the cause and consequence of
this grim massacre. To carve out a secure future free from intolerance
and persecution, we must examine the past and heed history’s lessons of
forewarning – for the sake of future generations who inherit our
civilization.

In 1969, then-Governor Ronald Reagan said, “Today, I humbly bow in
memory of the Armenian martyrs, who died in the name of freedom.” On the
90th anniversary of this great human tragedy, Californians continue to
join with freedom-loving people around the world to honor the Armenian
people as they continue to show the world the true meaning of hope,
renewal and perseverance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of
California, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2005, as a “Day of Remembrance
of the Armenian Genocide.”

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The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress