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04/23/2004
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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP:// 1) California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims April 24 Day Of Remembrance For The Armenian Genocide 2) Statement of US Senator Barbara Boxer Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide 3) Horizon TV to Provide Continuous Coverage of April 24 Events 4) Idaho Governor Issues Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide 1) California Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims April 24 Day Of Remembrance For The Armenian Genocide SACRAMENTO--The Armenian National Committee of AmericaWestern Region (ANCA-WR) reported today that newly elected California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued an Executive Proclamation designating Saturday, April 24, as a "Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide."The language of the proclamation addressed the historical facts of the Genocide and commended Armenian Americans for retaining their “…distinct heritage, language, and religion, and bringing rich cultural diversity to the Golden State.” “We are very pleased to have Governor Schwarzenegger proclaim April 24 as a California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide,” commented ANCA-WR Government Relations Director, Armen Carapetian. “Designating April 24th as a special day means a great deal to the children and grandchildren of survivors of the Armenian Genocide and even the survivors who were able to make it to California and called this great state their home.” On Saturday, April 24, California State Senator Charles Poochigian, the legislature’s highest ranking Armenian, will present the proclamation to the ANCA-WR and the Armenian community at a special ceremony to be held at the Armenian Martyrs Monument in Montebello, California.The event will include special messages from Senator John Kerry, Governor Schwarzenegger, in addition to speeches from various other California State and federal public officials. The complete text of Gov. Schwarzenegger's statement follows: On April 24, 1915, in Constantinople, the Ottoman Turkish government arrested and murdered several hundred Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders, beginning a campaign of terror known as the Armenian Genocide. From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Empire executed a systematic destruction of Armenian culture through the forced exile, imprisonment and annihilation of men, women and children of Armenian descent. More than 1.5 million Armenians perished, and 500,000 survivors were forced to leave their ancestral homeland in Turkey. Whole villages were massacred and many people died of exposure and starvation during forced death marches in the desert. Despite this great tragedy, the Armenian people have persevered and today are striving to build a free and proud nation, based on the principles of democracy and a free-market economy. California is home to 700,000 Armenians--the largest Armenian community outside the Republic of Armenia. Throughout the decades, the Armenian-American community has contributed to California's agriculture, business, education, public service, and the arts. They have retained their distinct heritage, language, and religion, bringing rich cultural diversity to the Golden State. On this 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we join with Armenians around the world to mourn the loss of so many innocent lives. In remembering this great human tragedy, we rededicate ourselves to combat injustice, and we honor the triumphant spirit of the Armenian people. NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim Saturday, April 24, 2004, as a "Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide." 2) Statement of US Senator Barbara Boxer Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide Between the years of 1915 and 1923, a million and a half Armenians were brutally murdered as a result of a calculated plan to eliminate Armenians from the Ottoman Empire. Men taken from their homes and separated from their families were killed. Women, children, and elderly were sent on forced death marches across the Syrian Desert. These actions constituted the first genocide of the 20th century and one of the most vicious and tragic events in world history. One and one-half million Armenian lives were lost, countless more were persecuted, and the entire Armenian community suffered. As we reflect on these horrible years, Armenian Americans know this story and its relevance in history. Tragically, some question its historical accuracy.To prevent future genocide is to face the reality that it exists. Knowledge of past genocides in different parts of our world assists in arming us to prevent such acts from occurring again. At the outset of the Jewish Holocaust, Adolph Hitler said that no one remembered what happened to the Armenian people during the genocide. He then proceeded to implement his Final Solution. Today, Armenians are continuing to work to rebuild and strengthen their great nation. After facing years of injustice and persecution, the Armenian people’s spirit remains strong. I join you in commemorating the 89th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. As we remember these sad years, we must never forget that an act of genocide is not only an act of hatred toward one particular group, but toward all humankind. May we learn from the tragedy of the Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to full equality, respect, and acceptance for all people.An important first step is the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States Government and the world as a whole. 3) Horizon TV to Provide Continuous Coverage of April 24 Events Horizon 24 Hour Armenian Television will preempt its regularly scheduled programming to provide complete and comprehensive coverage of April 24 events, as well as documentaries, cultural performances and the arts in commemorating the Armenian Genocide. The program line-up will also include special interviews with scholars, worldwide coverage of Genocide commemorative events, and live interviews with representatives of Armenian communities in the Diaspora. The live broadcast will start at 6 am PST and will run until 2 am. The program will be available to anyone with the T5-Telestar Globecast World TV receiver, on channel 411, or on the following frequency: D/L Frequency: 11,867 MHz D/L Polarity: Vertical Symbol Rate: 22.000 Msym FEC: ¾ For information call (818) 246-1989. "We believe that April 24 is a day for Armenians worldwide to renew their vow to continue the struggle against denial until the day Turkey recognizes the Genocide, returns our lands, and makes reparations. Our programming is not about mourning our losses, rather about showing the world that Armenians will not give in until every last inch of our homeland is returned to us. It is about proving to everyone that we can put aside our personal differences and unite in the struggle for Hai Tahd." --Horizon's Executive Producer Bianca Manoukian. 4) Idaho Governor Issues Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide BOISE--Idaho became the 33rd US state to recognize the Armenian Genocide this week, as Republican Governor Dirk Kempthorne issued a proclamation citing April 24 "Idaho Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923," reported the Armenian National Committee of Idaho (ANC-Idaho). The proclamation begins by noting that "one and a half million Christian Armenian men, women, and children were the victims of a brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923." It goes on to cite the importance of commemorating this crime against humanity as a way of "guarding against the repetition of future genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific crimes." The complete text of the Governor's proclamation is provided below. The gubernatorial proclamation closely follows a resolution unanimously adopted by the Senate of the Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) recognizing the Armenian Genocide and condemning efforts to rewrite history. Senate Resolution 13 states that the genocide "has resulted in the elimination of the Armenian people from their historic homeland of over 3000 years through the criminal loss of property and life." The resolution "commemorates the Armenian Genocide and condemns those attempts made by governments as well as other entities, both public and private, to distort the historical reality and legal relevance of the Armenian Genocide to the descendants of its survivors and humanity as a whole." On hearing the news of the Governor's proclamation, David Morris, President of the ASBSU, commented: "I think it's fantastic that the Governor not only recognizes the importance of bringing this information to light, but also stands behind efforts to educate the public about the Armenian Genocide". Chairman of ANC-Idaho, Rafael Saakyan, commended Governor Kempthorne on his "commitment to advancing human rights issues in the state of Idaho and for joining the Armenian community across this great state in sustaining the flame of remembrance for the victims of the Armenian Genocide." Saakyan then urged the Idaho Congressional delegation to "ensure that their state's views are well represented through their support for the adoption of the Genocide resolution in the House and Senate." Rebecca Kun, communications director of ANC-Idaho, worked closely with the ANC-Idaho team to collect close to 600 signatures for the proclamation request. This was a marathon process--we collected 594 signatures in 2 weeks in order to get our proclamation request submitted in time to meet the April 24 deadline we set for ourselves. With this proclamation and the Boise State initiative it is clear that the Armenian community, working together, can make a real difference." Kun continued, "As a first generation holocaust survivor, I understand the importance of bringing these events to light. Having this proclamation signed by both the State of Idaho and Boise State University is the first step to correct the dissemination of lies that has been perpetuated for the last 89 years." Massachusetts State Republican Committee chairman Bob Semonian of Watertown, MA helped the ANC-Idaho bring their concerns to the attention of the Governor's office. Semonian discussed the importance of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide with Gov. Kempthorne directly at the recent National Governor's Association (NGA) meeting in Washington, DC. Gov. Kempthorne currently serves as chairman of the NGA. The Idaho proclamation follows an earlier letter of recognition issued by Montana's Republican Governor Judith Martz in late March. Jamestown (ND) Mayor Charles Kourajian issued a city proclamation last week honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide. Text of the Idaho Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide: WHEREAS, one and one-half-million Christian Armenian men, women, and children were victims of a brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923; and WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide and massacres of 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, recognition of the eighty-ninth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events; and WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans living in Idaho have greatly enriched our state through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government and the arts; NOW, THEREFORE I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2004, to be IDAHO DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923 All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. 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