Harrisburg, PA--The Pennsylvania House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution designating April 24, 2004 as “Pennsylvania’s Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923,” reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Pennsylvania. Representative Daylin Leach (D) and 56 co-sponsors introduced Pennsylvania House Resolution No. 593 (HR593).
“The Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania thanks Rep. Leach for his leadership in introducing this resolution. We also commend the House of Representatives for their unwavering commitment to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to honor the memories of the victims whose descendents are citizens of the Commonwealth,” stated Dr. Ara Chalian, co-chairman of the ANC of Pennsylvania. “The ANC of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania General Assembly have an enduring relationship that spans nearly twenty years. We look forward to continue working closely with Rep. Leach and others who take an active role in supporting the issues of the Armenian American community,” concluded Dr. Chalian.
The resolution identifies the Ottoman Empire as the perpetrators of a genocide that claimed the lives of one and a half million Armenian men, women, and children from 1915 to 1923. It also acknowledges that modern Turkey continues to deny and distort the facts of the Armenian Genocide. Through this resolution, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reaffirms its commitment to condemn atrocities, such as the Armenian Genocide, and to prevent similar crimes against humanity from occurring again.
This is the second consecutive year that the first-term legislator has introduced an Armenian Genocide resolution. Rep. Leach, whose wife is of Armenian descent, represents a district which includes a large Armenian American constituency, two Armenian churches, and the Armenian Sisters Academy.
“It is important that we never forget the atrocities visited upon the Armenian People in the last century,” stated Rep. Leach. “It is only by remembering the past that we can recognize the gathering warning signs of new oppression. As long as I am in the legislature, I can assure you that no one will forget the struggle of the Armenian People,” concluded Rep. Leach.
In addition to the Pennsylvania House Resolution, the Pittsburgh City Council passed a proclamation declaring April 24, 2004 “A Day of Remembrance” for the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The City Proclamation was introduced and spearheaded by Councilman Douglas Shields, and it was co-sponsored by Council President Gene Ricciardi and Council members Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik, William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan Hertzberg, Twanda Carlisle, and Sala Udin.
“On behalf of the Pittsburgh area Armenian-American community, I would like to thank Councilman Doug Shields and the City Council for observing the Armenian Genocide,” stated ANC activist Rostom Sarkissian, who resides in Pittsburgh. “This proclamation and others like it not only honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, but they also send a strong message to the Turkish government that continued denial of this Genocide can no longer be a state-sponsored policy. Time has come for Turkey to join the international community in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide for what it was--genocide,” concluded Sarkissian.
The ANC PA urges all Pennsylvania Armenians to contact their State Representative to thank them for passing HR593 and the Pittsburgh City Council for their “A Day of Remembrance” Proclamation. A copy of the resolution can be found online at: http://www2.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2003/0/HR0593P3393.pdf. The full text of the City Council statement can be found below.
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots political organization in Pennsylvania and the United States. The ANC actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community. For more information about the ANC of Pennsylvania or assistance in contacting your elected officials, email: ANC_Pennsylvania@yahoo.com.
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Pittsburgh City Council
Proclamation
WHEREAS, During the period leading to the breakup of the Ottoman empire, Ottoman leaders promulgated Anti-Armenia policies, including mass deportation of Armenians; and,
WHEREAS, these policies resulted in the systematic annihilation, through massacres, disease, and starvation of a large segment of the Armenian population; and,
WHEREAS, 1.5 million men, women, and children of Armenian ancestry were victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 through 1923; and,
WHEREAS, Armenians have historical roots and a national identity dating back three thousand years in what is now Eastern Turkey, Northwestern Iran, and South-Central Soviet Union; and,
WHEREAS, Armenians have distinctive linguistic and religious heritage within the Christian tradition,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Saturday April 24, 2004 as “A Day of Remembrance” here in the City of Pittsburgh.
Passed in Council on Tuesday April 20, 2004
Gene Ricciardi
President of Council
Attest: Linda Johnson-Wasler
City Clerk
Sponsored by Councilman Douglas Shields
Cosponsored by
Council President Gene Ricciardi
And members of Council
Luke Ravenstahl, Jim Motznik. William Peduto, Len Bodack, Alan Hertzberg, Twanda Carlisle, Sala Udin |
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