STATE CAPITOL EVENTS SLATED TO HONOR VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE

1612_4/18/2009_1
Friday, April 17, 2009

BURBANK–Assistant Majority Leader Paul Krekorian is set to commemorate
the annual remembrance of modern-day genocide – including the 94th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide ‘s in April when he leads the
Assembly in a tribute on Thursday, April 23.

"Like so many of my brethren, I have been personally touched by the
horrific events that befell our ancestors nearly a century ago,"
Assistant Majority Leader Krekorian said. "As a member of the
Assembly, it is not only my job, but my personal responsibility to
shine a light on those events. But we, as Americans, also need to
reflect on other atrocious acts ‘s from Rwanda to Darfur and beyond
‘s that have stricken the globe."

Beginning Wednesday, April 22, the rotunda in the state capitol
will feature a unique multimedia display of photographs, videos and
interactive exhibits from acclaimed artists focusing on the Armenian
genocide. That night, Assistant Majority Leader Krekorian will host
a screening of "Screamers" — which follows the rock band System of
a Down as they tour Europe and the U.S. pointing out the travesty
inherent in modern-day genocide. The movie will be shown at the Crest
Theater, 1013 K St, Sacramento at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will
be served before the movie, at 5:30 p.m.

On Thursday, April 23, the Assembly will convene with an opening
invocation from Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, to be followed by a
vote on Assembly Joint Resolution 14, which would designate April 24,
2009, as a "California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide
of 1915-1923." A reception will follow.

The events are free and open to the public.

Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) represents the cities of
Burbank and Glendale, and the Los Angeles communities of Atwater
Village, Los Feliz, North Hollywood, Silver Lake, Toluca Lake, Valley
Glen, Valley Village and Van Nuys.