DELAWARE PASSES RESOLUTION IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 12 2007
With overwhelming support in the Delaware 144th General Assembly,
a resolution proclaiming April 24 as a day of remembrance of the
Armenian Genocide passed with a voice vote during the final hours
prior to spring recess in the Delaware House of Representatives,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region.
The resolution was introduced by junior State Representative, John
A. Kowalko (D-25) and faced no opposition when it was brought for
a vote by the General Assembly on Thursday, April 5, 2007. Similar
legislation was passed in the Delaware Senate in 1995, making Delaware
one of 38 States that recognize the Armenian Genocide. Both the United
States House of representatives and the Senate are working to pass
H. Res. 106/S. Res. 106 respectively in recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. A copy of the Delaware resolution will be sent to Delaware
Congressman Mike Castle, (R-AL), as well as Senator Joe Biden (D)
and Thomas Carper (D).
Mike Kalajian, an Armenian activist led the efforts on this campaign.
Working with his State Representative, Kowalko, he also contacted
the ANCA to join forces on this important issue. After passage of the
legislation, Kalajian commented, "My grandparents survived the Genocide
and escaped from Turkey to America. Now, with so much violence in the
Middle East, and with the Genocide in Darfur being reflective of the
turmoil that resulted in the Armenian Genocide, I felt it important
that everyone remembers the result of ignoring these events, and
nothing shows this more than the Forgotten Genocide. A call to state
Representative John Kowalko seemed like a great start."
Kowalko, enthusiastic about the resolution, stated: "It was my
privilege to honor your request that the Delaware General Assembly
proclaim April 24 as a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
On Thursday, April 5th 2007 the Delaware House of Representatives
unanimously passed House Resolution No. 14 proclaiming the 24th as
a day of remembrance and enumerating some of the horrors perpetuated
on the Armenian people.
I was particularly honored to present this resolution since it
will officially record and acknowledges a moment in the history
of mankind when man’s inhumanity to man and humankind’s disregard
for a civilized morality was made horribly apparent. The attempt to
systematically eliminate all traces of a noble civilization such as
the Armenian culture is another shameful moment in the history of the
world. In order to guard against recurrences of such base and shameful
behavior we must freely admit that these types of horrors occurred and
still occur. To paraphrase "those, who fail to learn from history,
are doomed to repeat its failures" and failure to admit the moral
failings of society will only ensure more decay.
I am humbled to be able to present and record the true story of the
persecution and debasement foisted upon such a noble civilization
as the Armenians’ to recognize its greatness and to warn our future
generations of the intolerance and hatred that can lurk just below
the surface of humanity so that we may always guard against the base
instincts of inhumane behavior."
"We want to thank Representative Kowalko for leading the efforts on
passing this legislation, and the initiative taken by Mike to take
the initiative to pass this resolution," commented ANC ER Director
Karine Birazian.