Bill Text: MN SR197 | 2019-2020 | 91st Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, encouraging the Republic of Artsakh to continue its efforts to develop as a free and independent nation, and designating May 5 as the day of statewide recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and the contributions of Armenian and Artsakhi individuals to the state of Minnesota
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-20 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR197 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2019-SR197-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, encouraging the Republic
1.3of Artsakh to continue its efforts to develop as a free and independent nation, and
1.4designating May 5 as the day of statewide recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and
1.5the contributions of Armenian and Artsakhi individuals to the state of Minnesota.
1.6WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh, formerly known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,
1.7located in the South Caucasus region of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, declared its independence
1.8on September 2, 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union; and
1.9WHEREAS, on December 10, 1991, the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic voted
1.10in favor of independence, and on January 6, 1992, the democratically elected legislature of the
1.11republic formally declared independence; and
1.12WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has historically been Armenian territory, populated
1.13by an overwhelming majority of Armenians, and yet was illegally separated from Armenia by the
1.14Soviet Union in 1921 and placed under the newly created Soviet Azerbaijani administration; and
1.15WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has fought to maintain its independence and achieve
1.16international recognition despite military and political efforts by neighboring Azerbaijan that
1.17escalated into armed conflict and resulted in civilian casualties, internally displaced persons, and
1.18human rights violations between 1991 and 1994; and
1.19WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has continued to remain devoted to maintaining a
1.20representative democratic government with political and civil rights for all citizens, holding free
1.21and open elections as assessed by international observers; and
1.22WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has been recognized by eight states including California,
1.23Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Rhode Island, and on May 5,
1.242016, the Government of Armenia approved a bill on recognition of the independence of the Republic
1.25of Artsakh; and
2.1WHEREAS, many Armenian and Artsakhi families have long called the state of Minnesota
2.2their home, were welcomed in Minnesota during the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide from
2.31914 to 1923, and have contributed to the culture, economy, and overall prosperity of the state of
2.4Minnesota; and
2.5WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a long-standing tradition and history of supporting
2.6democracies, oppressed minority groups, and human rights throughout the world; and
2.7NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Committee on Rules and Administration
2.8of the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes the independence of the Republic of
2.9Artsakh, encourages the Republic of Artsakh to continue to develop as a free and independent
2.10country, and designates May 5 as the day of statewide recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and
2.11the contributions of Armenian and Artsakhi individuals to the state of Minnesota.
2.12BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.13enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.14Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
1.2recognizing the independence of the Republic of Artsakh, encouraging the Republic
1.3of Artsakh to continue its efforts to develop as a free and independent nation, and
1.4designating May 5 as the day of statewide recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and
1.5the contributions of Armenian and Artsakhi individuals to the state of Minnesota.
1.6WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh, formerly known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,
1.7located in the South Caucasus region of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, declared its independence
1.8on September 2, 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union; and
1.9WHEREAS, on December 10, 1991, the people of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic voted
1.10in favor of independence, and on January 6, 1992, the democratically elected legislature of the
1.11republic formally declared independence; and
1.12WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has historically been Armenian territory, populated
1.13by an overwhelming majority of Armenians, and yet was illegally separated from Armenia by the
1.14Soviet Union in 1921 and placed under the newly created Soviet Azerbaijani administration; and
1.15WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has fought to maintain its independence and achieve
1.16international recognition despite military and political efforts by neighboring Azerbaijan that
1.17escalated into armed conflict and resulted in civilian casualties, internally displaced persons, and
1.18human rights violations between 1991 and 1994; and
1.19WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has continued to remain devoted to maintaining a
1.20representative democratic government with political and civil rights for all citizens, holding free
1.21and open elections as assessed by international observers; and
1.22WHEREAS, the Republic of Artsakh has been recognized by eight states including California,
1.23Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Rhode Island, and on May 5,
1.242016, the Government of Armenia approved a bill on recognition of the independence of the Republic
1.25of Artsakh; and
2.1WHEREAS, many Armenian and Artsakhi families have long called the state of Minnesota
2.2their home, were welcomed in Minnesota during the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide from
2.31914 to 1923, and have contributed to the culture, economy, and overall prosperity of the state of
2.4Minnesota; and
2.5WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota has a long-standing tradition and history of supporting
2.6democracies, oppressed minority groups, and human rights throughout the world; and
2.7NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Committee on Rules and Administration
2.8of the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it recognizes the independence of the Republic of
2.9Artsakh, encourages the Republic of Artsakh to continue to develop as a free and independent
2.10country, and designates May 5 as the day of statewide recognition of the Republic of Artsakh and
2.11the contributions of Armenian and Artsakhi individuals to the state of Minnesota.
2.12BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.13enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.14Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.
| Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate | Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Mary KiffmeyerState Senator, District 30 |
