Bill Text: CA SJR23 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Enrolled

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Armenian Genocide: day of remembrance.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-3)

Status: (Passed) 2012-05-14 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 21, Statutes of 2012. [SJR23 Detail]

Download: California-2011-SJR23-Enrolled.html

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BILL NUMBER: SJR 23	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  APRIL 19, 2012
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 10, 2012

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Simitian
   (Principal coauthors: Senators Berryhill, De León, Liu, and
Wyland)
   (Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Achadjian, Charles
Calderon, Fuentes, Gatto, and Portantino)

                        MARCH 26, 2012

   Relative to the Armenian Genocide.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SJR 23, Simitian. Armenian Genocide: day of remembrance.
   This measure would designate April 24, 2012, as "California Day of
Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923." It would
memorialize the Congress and the President of the United States to
act likewise to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.



   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, inclusive; 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, including the Republic of
Turkey, still 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 a need for constant vigilance to
prevent similar atrocities in the future; and
   WHEREAS, Recognition of the 97th 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, On this 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, it is
also appropriate to remember, honor, and thank those righteous ethnic
Turks and Kurds who, often at risk to their own lives, lent aid,
comfort, and assistance to ethnic Armenians seeking to escape the
genocide; 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 leadership in business, agriculture, academia, medicine,
government, and the arts, and they are proud and patriotic
practitioners of American citizenship; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate and the Assembly of the State of
California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California
hereby designates April 24, 2012, as the "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 act likewise to commemorate the
Armenian Genocide; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate 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.