Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
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PRESS RELEASE
April 27, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
KANSAS BECOMES 38th STATE TO RECOGNIZE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
— ANCA Welcomes Proclamation by Gov. Sebelius
WASHINGTON, DC – Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas has issued a
proclamation marking the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
making the Sunflower State the 38th U.S. state to go on record
commemorating this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
“Armenian Americans very much appreciate Governor Sebelius’
leadership in adding Kansas to the list of U.S. states that have
formally recognized the Armenian Genocide,” said Aram Hamparian,
Executive Director of the ANCA. “We are hopeful that the growing
pressure on the White House – from state governments and U.S.
legislators – will impress upon the President that he should not
stand in the way of Congressional legislation marking this crime
against humanity.”
In the proclamation, issued on April 20th, Gov. Sebelius proclaims
April 24th, 2005, “Armenian Remembrance Day.” She notes that April
24th marks “the ninetieth anniversary of the genocide and
deportations of countless Armenians in Ottoman Turkey; this great
sorrow continues to haunt not only Armenians but also their
neighbors in Turkey.”
Governor Sebelius goes on to “salute the modern nation of Armenia,
and Armenians everywhere,” noting that “Kansas is grateful for the
contributions of Armenian Americans who have chosen Kansas as their
adopted home. They have employed wisdom, courage and centuries old
traditions to enrich the character of our state through their
leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government and the
arts”
In 2004, Governor Sebelius had issued a proclamation marking June
18th, 2004 as “Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day.” The measure called
attention to the special relationship between the Kansas National
Guard and Armenia, which began in 2003 as part of the State’s
Partnership Program. That program pairs developing nations in
Europe, South America and Asia with the National Guard in states
and territories to foster mutual interests and establish long-term
relationships.
During a June 18, 2004 special ceremony held at the State Defense
Building in Topeka, State Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. (KS) Tod
Bunting noted that, “Our Constitution starts ‘We, the People of the
United States…’ Through this program, it is ‘We the People’ of
Kansas who are reaching out in a spirit of cooperation to the
people of Armenia to show them who we are and how we live and to
learn from them who they are and how they live.”
The complete text of the 2005 Kansas Genocide proclamation is
provided below.
#####
Proclamation by Kansas State Governor Kathleen Sebelius
TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:
WHEREAS, today is a day for Kansas to join in remembrance of a
human tragedy that stands as a reminder for us to strive for a
future of peace, prosperity and freedom for all; and
WHEREAS, today marks the ninetieth anniversary of the genocide and
deportations of countless Armenians in Ottoman Turkey; this great
sorrow continues to haunt not only Armenians but also their
neighbors in Turkey; and
WHEREAS, we are reminded that the suffering of the Armenian people
from 1915-1923 was a tragedy which the world should not forget and
applauds efforts of Armenia and Turkey to come together to consider
these events and their significance; and
WHEREAS, Kansas also wishes these countries success as they build
on their recent achievements and encourages them to continue to
work together in a spirit of hope and understanding; and
WHEREAS, Kansas remembers those who perished and suffered, we also
salute the modern nation of Armenia, and Armenians everywhere.
Kansas is grateful for the contributions of Armenian Americans who
have chosen Kansas as their adopted home. They have employed
wisdom, courage and centuries old traditions to enrich the
character of our state through their leadership in business,
agriculture, academia, government and the arts; and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, KATHLEEN SEBELIUS, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
KANSAS, on behalf of the people of Kansas, send solemn wishes to
the Armenian people on this day of remembrance, and do hereby
proclaim April 24, 2005, as
Armenian Remembrance Day
in Kansas, and urge all citizens to join in this observance. Our
state and the Armenian nation stand together, with our partnership
of peace, prosperity and freedom.
DONE: At the Capitol in Topeka
under the Great Seal of the
State this 20th day of April, A.D. 2005
BY THE GOVERNOR: