SACRAMENTO—California Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation last week commemorating the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region.
In his proclamation, Newsom noted the contemporary consequences of the Armenian Genocide in raising awareness about the cultural dispossession of the Genocide survivors from their historic homeland.
Newsom also highlighted the contribution of Armenian Americans – most being direct descendants of the Genocide – to the cultural, social, economic, and civic enrichment of California.
“We thank Lieutenant Governor Newsom for his leadership and the forthright manner in which he commemorated the Armenian Genocide through his proclamation,” said Andrew Kzirian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR. “Too often we forget this important legacy of the Genocide which is felt by the community to this day.”
Newsom has had a long track record regarding affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. As Mayor of San Francisco, he was a leading public advocate calling on Congress and the President numerous times to appropriately remember the Armenian Genocide as genocide. In his proclamation this year, he referred to the International Association of Genocide Scholars, the world’s leading academic association in the field, which has repeatedly reaffirmed the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide.
“With April 24th falling on Easter this year, we are particularly reminded of the loss of the vast cultural heritage of the Armenian people,” said Armen Carapetian, Chairman of the ANCA San Francisco Bay Area Chapter. “The survivors and their descendants are separated from their homes, properties and churches most of which have fallen into ruin either out of neglect or intentional destruction by the Republic of Turkey over the past several decades.”
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
Complete text of Newsom’s proclamation:
WHEREAS, April 24, 1915, marked the beginning of the Armenian Genocide which resulted in the death of over two million Armenians as well as Greeks and Assyrians between 1915 and 1923; and
WHEREAS, nearly half million Armenians who survived the horrors of extermination were expelled from their homes and forced to settle in various countries throughout the world; and
WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide is one of the first modern genocides which resulted in the near annihilation of a people and the dispossession of the survivors from their cultural homeland and heritage; and
WHEREAS, the Republic of Turkey, the successor state to the Ottoman Empire under which the Genocide was committed, unjustifiably and adamantly denies the occurrence of this crime against humanity while actively continuing to remove traces of Armenian existence. This includes the neglect and intentional destruction of the thousands of remaining churches throughout the Armenian Highlands which make up today’s eastern Turkey; and
WHEREAS, the International Association of Genocide Scholars has repeatedly affirmed that the massacres of Armenians initiated in 1915 constitutes genocide; and
WHEREAS, throughout the 20th Century the Armenian Genocide was followed by several other genocides and this pattern continues to this day as seen in the Darfur region of Sudan. If we fail to remember the lessons of the past and remain silent in deference to a campaign of denial we embolden current and future perpetrators of genocide; and
WHEREAS, many survivors of the Genocide settled in states around the country, including California. California has become home to the largest population of Armenians in the United States and those citizens have enriched our state through leadership in the fields of academia, medicine, business, agriculture, government, and the arts and are proud and patriotic practitioners of American citizenship; and
NOW, THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Lieutenant Governor of the State of California, do hereby join Californians in a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.
Lt Governor Newsom’s Armenian,Greek n Assyrian Genocide Remembrance Proclamation should ring the
bell to the Corporate Leadership of the American Military Industry. The latters should threaten the Turkish
leadership from refraining of shipments of modern technology and mititary equipments, and not the other way
round, being bullied by Erdogan like Antisemists, who have turned a blind eye to the assassination of
Hrant Dink in Constantinople(so called” Islamboul”)and slaughter of German and 2 turkish missionaries in
Malatya. if 44 US states are not enough to recognize the Armenian Genocide, then how many books should
Peter Balakian edit to convince President Obama to use the english translation of the words “Meds
Yeghern”? Lt. Governor Newsom’s words are as vital and important as Morgentau or even President Woodrow
Wilson!
Hye, if 44 of the 50 states of the USA recognize that the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians is to be recognized – too, these will be the voters for the 2012 election of the next president of the USA. The cycle of Genocides absolute need to be ended is long overdue. The inhumanity of humans to humans, as from the 19th, 20th, and today, 21st century (sadly, Darfur) is as a cancer for all the civilized nations of the world and needs to be ended… to bring the perpetrators and deniers to face their crimes against ALL humanity… else, Genocide perpetrators are the WINNERS – since all the victims slaughtered, raped, kidnapped and tortured and worse, are the LOSERS! The cycle of Genocides demeans humanity – humans vile abuse of humans!!
What are the money thirsty turkophile corporate businessmen , but mainly the American men of integrity ,
afraid of from Tukey, when
the latters haven’t even allowed the US troops from entering Iraq, risking the lives of our boys
in the Marine Corps and troops! What good is Turkey’s presence in NATO, when they’re supporting hostile
regimes in the Middle East and jeoperdising US interests and those of our allies in the Middle East, Africa
and Europe?
Hye, with whom is a Turkey allied… for any length of time, except to use their PLOYs, one after another, after another, ad nauseum… Our military producers, allied/selling to the Turks are filling their own pockets when, as in Iraq, a Turkey easily becomes a non-ally of the USA. Obviously as with Turks’ alliances with Israel, on again/off again! It is to be hoped that ANY of the military equipments from USA will not be used against the USA a/o our allies. Or, too, against any non-muslims. Actually, Americans who are lobbyists for a Turkey, can become as traitors against our USA. As Turkish PLOYs are ever changing, ever revolving, ongoing and unending… As has been happening right before our eyes, in our own capital city of Washington DC where the Turks funded the recent demeaning and abuse of the memorial site American citizens constructed to honor President Woodrow Wilson… Turks needed to destroy this site since President Wilson had been the outspoken president for the resurrection of the Armenian nation… thus the Turks need to seek his memorial – and as well, the Smithsonian Museum for their actions in the capital city of the USA. Too, a Turkey recalls Wilson’s stance (yet a Turkey is in denials of Genocides). Not any of the USA media, nor the leaderships of our nation has brought this to light… WHY? Actually, forays into our nation is incredible – just try some such similarily in a Turkey – Turks yelps would be heard – world wide… WHY?
In the late 1950’s I worked wih an Armenian woman who shared stories of her mother as a baby being secreted away in a sheet drying on the clothes line along with an older sibling while the Turks were slaughtering the rest of the family. They escaped later to America, but not from the memories of the horror. To honor my friend Anna, I gave her a rare copy of the Khatchaturian Piano Concerto performed by William Kapel, which has continued to be one of my favorite concertos. I have lost contact with Anna, but she and her people have remained strong in my memory, and in my heart.
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Dear Gavin,
I’m a US citizen of Armenian descent.Thank you very much for recognizing the Armenian genocide that was committed by the Turkish government in 1915.The history repeats itself and I myself suffered though the same events Armenian genocide in Azerbaijan in 1990,but managed to escape,I was evacuated and stay alive and move to US.Once again thank you and I’m very proud to be part of your campaign since 2003. when you started to run as San Francisco mayor
Sincerely,
Tatiana G
I
One wonders why one bothers with such things as remembrances as they turn into stilted formal occasions which are observed through a nagging sense of duty. If the genuine horros could be preserved and communicated then before anyhting similar occurred everyone would pause and ask themselves, Surely there must be a better way, surely some compromise could be found? Remembrances need to be more than cosmetic, I’m saying.