Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
[email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
August 5, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
COLORADO MARKS "GENOCIDE AWARENESS DAY"
— ANCA Welcomes Proclamation by CO Governor Bill Ritter; Salutes
Efforts of Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action
— Watch the ANCA interview with CO activist Ken Allikian for eye-witness
coverage of the press conference
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WASHINGTON, DC — Colorado Governor Bill Ritter Jr. joined with the
Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action (CCGAA),
today, at a press conference proclaiming August 5th as "Genocide
Awareness Day" in the state, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
"We’re here today to raise awareness that Genocide is a real thing
where real people are affected in traumatic ways and because as
part of the fraternity of man or in solidarity with our fellow
human beings around the globe, we say we can’t tolerate it, that it
should not be part of our world in the twenty first century," said
Gov. Ritter. "The first recognized genocide of the twentieth
century took place in Armenia, with the slaughter of more than a
million Armenians, and we have seen it again and again since. It is
imperative that we recognize what has happened, so we can ensure it
will not happen again."
The genocide awareness event was organized by the Colorado
Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action, a group founded by
local activist Roz Duman and committed to bringing together anti-
genocide groups to educate Colorado residents about the ravages of
this crime against humanity – from the Armenian Genocide to Darfur.
Commenting on the ongoing efforts to secure U.S. reaffirmation of
the Armenian Genocide, Duman explained "The CCGAA has, from its
inception, worked within Colorado to affirm the Armenian Genocide
and to promote public awareness of the facts of that event.
Historians have repeatedly documented a Turkish government
orchestrated genocide perpetrated against its Armenian citizens.
Three quarters of the entire population of Armenians perished in
waves of killing from 1895 to 1923 in their historic homeland. The
consequence to the world was the decimation of a rich and ancient
Christian culture."
"We salute the efforts of Governor Ritter, the Colorado Coalition
for Genocide Awareness and Action and Colorado’s exceptionally
vibrant Armenian community for their ongoing commitment to ending
the cycle of genocide – through education and action," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "From standing up against the
denial of the Armenian Genocide to divestment from the genocidal
regime in Sudan – Colorado leaders have proven that each state can
play a vital role in stopping genocide."
Colorado has been at the forefront of the state-level battle in
ending the cycle of genocide, with a strong record of commemorating
past genocides and taking action to end the ongoing atrocities in
Darfur. In 2007, Gov. Ritter signed legislation sponsored by
former House Speaker Andrew Romanoff calling for state and local
governments to completely divest themselves from companies that
were financially involved with the Sudanese government. "Today,
two years later," Gov. Ritter said, "I’m happy to report that no
public dollars from Colorado state government are invested in
companies doing business with the Sudanese government."
Colorado recognized the Armenian Genocide through gubernatorial
proclamation in 1981 and has adopted Armenian Genocide legislation
consistently over the past decade, thanks to the grassroots efforts
of the Colorado Armenian community. Colorado Armenian Genocide
Commemoration Committee Co-Chair Ken Allikian praised Gov. Ritter’s
latest effort to stop genocide. "I am very pleased that Armenians
of Colorado and the Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee have
become partners with the Coalition, as they are doing fantastic
work to raise public awareness of the insanity of genocide,"
explained Allikian. "I am also proud of the State of Colorado for
being the first in the nation to have such a ceremony, but they
have always proven themselves as a leader in this area, having
donated space for an Armenian Genocide memorial garden on the
grounds of the capitol in 1982 and for eight years running having
passed a joint house and senate resolution proclaiming April 24 as
"Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."
Allikian spoke with the ANCA’s Paul Chaderjian and National Board
Member Vicken Sonentz Papazian on the "Horizon 180" television news
program regarding the Colorado Governor’s press conference and
Armenian Genocide recognition efforts in the state. To watch the
interview, visit:
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Over the years, the ANCA has worked closely with Armenian American
activists throughout Colorado to educate elected officials and the
media on a range of community concerns from Armenian Genocide
recognition to self-determination for the people of Nagorno
Karabagh and building a stronger U.S.-Armenia relationship. Local
initiatives, including the highly regarded "The Rocky Mountain Hye
Advocates" political e-newsletter, founded by state-wide community
activist Pamela Barsam Brown, have played a key role in the ongoing
effort to inform the community and the Colorado Congressional
delegation, alike. Barsam Brown was instrumental in coordinating
press commentary from Governor Ritter’s office, the CCGAA and the
Colorado Armenian Genocide Commemoration Committee in support of
the "Genocide Awareness Day" initiative.
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