GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA: I HAVE REPEATEDLY RECOGNIZED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

PanARMENIAN.Net
23.04.2007 19:48 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ "I have repeatedly recognized the Armenian Genocide
and continue to urge all freedom-loving people in America and around
the world to do the same," Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger
stated at the interview to the PanARMENIAN.Net. He reminded from
April 22 till 29 a number of events will be held in California in the
framework of "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide". "There
are numerous observances and events being organized and sponsored by
a range of Armenian and non-Armenian organizations — from the State
Legislature and local cities, to religious and community groups,
and educational and cultural institutions," Schwarzenegger said.

The week of April 22nd through April 29th is proclaimed as "Days of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide" in California by the state’s
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. His statement particularly says,
"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 national identities 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 brutal slayings 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 through April
29th, 2007, as "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.""