Armenian National Committee of Illinois
1701 North Greenwood Road
Glenview, IL 60026
Contact: Greg Bedian
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
June 16, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Genocide Curriculum Measure Awaits Illinois Governor’s Signature
Springfield, IL – The Armenian National Committee of Illinois today
called on Governor Rod Blagojevich to sign legislation mandating that
Illinois public school students receive instruction on the Armenian
Genocide and other acts of genocide.
The bill, HB312, cleared the legislature with commanding margins
earlier this spring, passing the Illinois House on March 1st and
passing the Senate on May 11th. The bill must be approved or vetoed
by the Governor within 60 days of receipt from the legislature. If
no action is taken after 60 days, the bill automatically becomes law.
“By signing this bill, the Governor can not only demonstrate his
concern for victims of previous genocides, he can play an active
part in a process that will hopefully help deter future genocides,”
stated ANC of Illinois representative Karine Birazian.
“The Armenian community of Illinois is looking
forward to a successful conclusion of the enactment process for
this legislation.”
On May 11, the Illinois Information Service (part of the state’s
official government media communications office) reported that
Gov. Blagojevich confirmed that he would sign the bill. That
commitment was later confirmed by community members who met with
the Governor. Blagojevich also mentioned his support for genocide
education in a recent gubernatorial proclamation issued to mark the
90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. In it the Governor stated
“both recognition and education concerning past atrocities such as
the Armenian Genocide is crucial in the prevention of future crimes
against humanity.”
After the bill was introduced, the Armenian National Committee helped
to mobilize Armenian and non-Armenians alike to work for passage of
the bill, which was introduced by Representatives John A, Fritchey
(D-11) and Paul D. Froelich (R-56). Upon passage in the Illinois
House by a vote of 96-11, HB312 was forwarded to the Senate where
Senators Jacqueline Y. Collins (D-16) and Ira Silverstein (D-8)
led the effort to a 47-5 victory in the Senate.
During the weeks leading up to the bill’s passage, the ANC lobbied
Illinois House and Senate members to work for passage of the bill by
organizing grassroots email, telephone and letter-writing campaigns
as well as conducting office visits with legislators. The ANC also
made presentations to various groups to encourage their participation
in this activity
“It was gratifying to see that our efforts led to a successful
outcome,” stated Karine Birazian, who heads up the ANC of
Illinois’ Genocide Education Committee. “It’s important for the
many constituents, and especially the public school students, who
participated in this endeavor to see that their voices were heard
and that their actions could make a difference on such an important
issue as Genocide education.”
HB312 provides “that in addition to the unit of instruction studying
the events of the Holocaust, the curriculum of every public elementary
school and high school shall include a unit of instruction studying
other acts of genocide across the globe, including, but not limited
to, the Armenian Genocide, the Famine-Genocide in Ukraine, and more
recent atrocities in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Sudan.”
With the passage of HB312, Illinois joins several other states,
including California and Massachusetts, which have mandated expanded
genocide education. Birazian added that the ANC will be working with
groups in those states as well as other organizations to help assemble
the necessary resources to help schools implement the new requirements
once they become law.
The Armenian National Committee of Illinois is a grassroots public
affairs organization serving to inform, educate, and act on a wide
range of issues concerning Armenian Americans throughout the state
of Illinois.
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