Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Lisa Kalustian, Chief Deputy Director
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213)897-0322
FAX (213)897-0319
PROCLAMATION
04/06/2007
April 22nd – April 29th, 2007, as "Days of Remembrance of the Armenian
Genocide"
PROCLAMATION
by the
Governor of the State of California
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."
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