PROCLAMATION
AZG Armenian Daily
18/04/2008
GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE WEEK IN CALIFORNIA
Every April, we take time to commemorate the lives of those forever
devastated by the Armenian Genocide.
Between 1915 and 1923, more than one million Armenians were killed
in the territory of the Ottoman Empire, and countless more lost
everything they owned.
Intellects and store owners, children and seniors, men and women,
people from all walks of life were victims of these horrific
acts. Often listed as the first genocide of the twentieth century,
these events had a life-altering impact on many, and stimulated an
Armenian Diaspora.
California has ensured that those lost and affected by this tragedy
will not be forgotten. In 2006, I signed Assembly Bill 1210, authored
by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, to allow construction of a memorial
for California’s survivors in Capitol Park. Additionally, in 2005,
I signed Senate Bill 424 authored by Senator Chuck Poochigian, which
designated in state law a specific time to observe the California
Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
I ask all Californians to take time this week to reflect on
this tragedy and its consequences. In joining our friends in the
Armenian-American community in this observance, all of California helps
remember the lives that were lost or changed by these fateful events.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State
of California, do hereby proclaim April 20-27, 2008, as "Days of
Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great
Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 7th day of April
2008.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of California