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Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
anca@anca.org
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PRESS RELEASE+++ PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Contact: Lerna Kayserian

Tel: (818) 500-1918

Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Build a Genocide Memorial
in Sacramento

Glendale, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America –
Western Region welcomed the signing of AB 1210, which calls for the
construction of an International Genocide Monument in Sacramento’s
State Capitol Park.

The California State Legislature took the first step this year
in working to construct an International Genocide Memorial in the
State’s Capitol. Authored by State Assembly member Lloyd Levine,
AB 1210 was introduced in 2005 and is currently in the Senate
Appropriations Committee. The bill establishes the International
Genocide Memorial Commission and authorizes the construction of a
memorial to California’s genocide survivors in the Capitol Historic
Park. However, AB 1210 prohibits the expenditure of state funding
for both the Genocide Memorial Commission and the construction of the
memorial. Funding for the construction will only be provided through
private contributions.

"We should never forget the inhumanity and brutality of genocide,"
said Governor Schwarzenegger. "The construction of this memorial will
help all Californians remember the unimaginable suffering genocide
survivors endured."

The State of California has a longstanding history in protecting the
rights, history and culture of all its citizens, including those
who are survivors and descendents of genocide and crimes against
humanity. Just last week, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB 1524,
"Armenian Genocide Bank and Looted Assets Recovery Act". This bill
will allow victims and heirs recovery – through California Courts –
of assets looted by banks and financial institutions operating in
the Ottoman Empire and Turkey during the Armenian Genocide which have
been wrongfully withheld since the Genocide.

An International Genocide Monument in the State Capitol would not
only serve as a symbol for remembrance of past genocides, but also as
a tool to educate thousands of students who visit the State Capitol
annually for class trips.

"The establishment of a memorial to the Armenian Genocide as well
others marks the State’s indelible recognition of the Armenian Genocide
and the need for modern Turkey to finally come to terms with its
history," said ANCA-WR Chairman Steven Dadaian.

The ANCA-WR commends Governor Schwarzenegger and Assembly member Levine
for their leadership in creating an enduring symbol of remembrance and
recognition in California for all victims of genocide and injustice.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress