Congressional Record: April 8, 2004 (Senate)
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POM-390. A joint resolution adopted by the Legislature of
the State of California relative to Armenian Genocide; to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.
Assembly Joint Resolution No. 44
Whereas, one and one-half million men, women, and children
of Armenian descent were victims of the brutal genocide
perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; and
Whereas, the Armenian Genocide and massacre of the Armenian
people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all
traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years
old; and
Whereas, to this day revisionists still inexplicably deny
the existence of these horrific events; and
Whereas, by consistently remembering and openly condemning
the atrocities committed against the Armenians, California
residents demonstrate their sensitivity to the need for
constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the
future; and
Whereas, recognition of the 87th anniversary of this
genocide is crucial to preventing the repetition of future
genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected
to these tragic events; and
Whereas, Armenia is now a free and independent republic,
having embraced democracy following the dissolution of the
Soviet Union; and
Whereas, California is home to the largest population of
Armenians in the United States, and those citizens have
enriched our state through their leadership in the fields of
business, agriculture, academia, medicine, government, and
the arts and are proud and patriotic practitioners of
American citizenship; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of
California hereby designates April 24, 2002, as “California
Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923”;
and be it further
Resolved, That the State of California respectfully
memorializes the Congress of the United States to likewise
act to commemorate the Armenian Genocide; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit
copies of this resolution to the President of the United
States, Members of the United States Congress, the Governor,
and Armenian churches and commemorative organizations in
California.