PRESS RELEASE
Lisa Kalustian
Chief Deputy Director
Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 897-0322
FAX (213) 897-0319
[email protected]
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed the week of April 23rd
through April 29th as Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
In recognizing the Genocide, he urges all freedom-loving people in
America and around the world to do the same.
The Governor’s Proclamation is attached below. You may also access it
online at Click on “Press Room” in the left
column, then scroll down to click on “Proclamations.”
Proclamation
Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims April 23 to April 29, 2006 “Days of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide”
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
April 24, 1915, marked the beginning of the Armenian Genocide – a
crime against humanity that led to the death of 1.5 million Armenians
between 1915 and 1923. The 500,000 Armenians who survived the horrors
of this extermination by the Ottoman Empire were expelled from their
homes and forced to settle in various countries throughout the world.
Stripped of their possessions, these refugees carried with them
little more than the memories of loved ones, a hope for a better life
and the courage to start anew. Armed with this determination, they
flourished in many of their adopted homelands, including California –
home to the largest Armenian population outside of the Republic of
Armenia.
Today, these Armenian survivors and their descendants continue to
provide tremendous leadership and invaluable contributions to our
state’s businesses, art community, and academic, governmental and
cultural institutions. Their spirit of hard work and perseverance,
coupled with their dedication to tradition, is a great example to all
Californians and adds to the luster of our Golden State.
As we commemorate the ninety-first anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide, we must study and learn history’s lessons, fight to end
bigotry and hate in all their forms and live lives of tolerance
towards all people. Silence only serves to perpetuate the denial of
the past, while open acknowledgement lays the foundation for a more
hopeful tomorrow. In that spirit of hope, I stand alongside our
friends in the Armenian community in recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, and urge all freedom-loving people in America and around
the world to do the same.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of
California, do hereby proclaim the week of April 23rd through April
29th, 2006, as “Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have here unto set my hand and caused the Great
Seal of the State of California to be affixed this the nineteenth day
of April 2006.
/s/ Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California