SACRAMENTO–Senator Poochigian–along with Senators Aghazarian–Frommer–Liu–Scott–Simitian–and Speier–authored a measure (AJR 42) that would designate April 24–2006–as the "California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 -1923." It would also memorialize the Congress of the United States to act likewise to commemorate the Armenian genocide.
"Although the legislation is in statute to permanently commemorate April 24 as California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian genocide–it is very important that a resolution be introduced each year to assure families of those who perished–or were tortured and driven from their historic homeland by the regime in control of the Turkish Ottoman Empire–that the tragedy that befell them will never be forgotten."
For decades–California has recognized the Armenian genocide of 1915-23 when nearly 1.5 million men–women–and children were systematically tortured and murdered or taken on death marches in the Syrian desert.
In 2005–Senator Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno) introduced and saw passage of SB 424–which permanently designated April 24 and the period from the Sunday before April 24 through the Sunday following as "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide." This designation occurred on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of that dark period in history. "Though the Legislature has recognized April 24 as the ‘Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide’ for many years–this is the first proposal to permanently commemorate this day in California statute," said Senator Poochigian.
"While the Genocide took place long ago and far away–the lives of so many living Californians have been touched by it. The issue of the Armenian genocide commemoration is more important today than ever," said Senator Poochigian. "With growing attempts to revise the historical record of this period–it is vitally important that false depictions of the tragedies of the Genocide are rejected. The continued recognition of this crime against humanity is crucial to ensuring against the recurrence of genocide and educating people about such despicable acts."