GOV. SCHWARZENEGGER PROCLAIMS DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

KarabakhOpen
19-04-2007 13:10:03

Proclamation

Between the years 1915 and 1923, during the chaos of World War I,
over one million Armenian men, women and children living within the
Ottoman Empire’s borders were killed; forcing hundreds of thousands
of Armenians to flee to foreign countries after being stripped of
their possessions, their nationalidentities and their homeland.

Scores fled to the United States, and California was fortunate to
become home to one of the largest populations of Armenians outside the
Republic of Armenia. Many of California’s Armenian-American families
are the descendents of these ,courageous genocide survivors, whose hope
for a life independent war and violence was realized on our soil. Like
their family members before them, the Armenian-American community
bravely flourished and contributed much to our state and nation.

Documented as the first instance of genocide in the twentieth century,
the Armenian Genocide remains unacknowledged to this day. I strongly
echo the sentiments that all nations must examine their own painful
histories, as the denial of genocide further wounds a nation’s
ability to heal. Though over ninety years have passed since these
mass killings took place, present day atrocities resonate throughout
the world. It is our responsibility to recognize the brutalslayings
of so many innocents, remembering their suffering and vowing to help
prevent future genocides.

I join California’s Armenian-American communities and all Armenians
worldwide in remembering those who were killed and persecuted during
the Armenian Genocide, and urge people throughout the world to never
forget these horrific crimes against humanity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of
California, do hereby proclaim the week of April 22nd – April 29th,
2007, 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 6th day of April
2007.

Arnold Schwarzenegger GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA