Shortly after becoming the 40th US State to recognize the Armenian Genocide by proclamation of Governor Ted Strickland, Mayors Michael Coleman, Frank Jackson, and Mark Mallory issued proclamations in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide reported the Armenian National Committee of Ohio.
The strongly worded proclamations all note the importance of genocide recognition and the significant role that Ohioan Armenia’s play throughout the state. ANC of Ohio’s David Krikorian an Ohio activist has been instrumental in working on having the various Mayors issue proclamations remembering this historical fact.
Earlier this year, while at a bookstore in Oakley, Ohio, Krikorian found a book called "Martyred Armenia and the Story of My Life," 1920, written by Krikor Gayjinkian, an Armenian priest who fled to Cincinnati, Ohio during the Armenian Genocide, and recounted his stories of the massacres that took place towards the Christian Armenia’s by the Muslim Turks.
"With their proclamations, the fine mayors of Ohio’s largest cities have set an example for all Ohioans to recognize genocide where and when it happens no matter the political fallout. It is this kind of leadership that can end the cycle of genocide which started with the Armenian Genocide and continues to this day with the genocide in Darfur," commented Krikorian.
In his proclamation, Mayor Cleveland dedicated the week of July 22-28th in honoring and remembering the genocide of the Armenia’s, coinciding with ANCA’s second "Call for Justice" campaign in which thousands of activists from across the nation participated in calling their member of Congress urging support of the legislation. The success of the two call in days added tremendously to the support and awareness of the resolution.
Ohio’s Congressional delegation has a strong record of support for Armenian Genocide legislation with Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-10), Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-11), Betty Sutton (D-13), Steve LaTourette (R-14), Tim Ryan (D-17), and Zack Space (D-18) having already cosponsored H. Res 106. Newly elected Senator Sherrod Brown (D) is a cosponsor of the Senate version of the initiative, S.Res.106.
Currently more than 225 U.S Representatives are signed on to H. Res. 106, and over 30 Senators signed on to S. Res. 106.
Office of the Mayor
City of Columbus, Ohio
Citation of Recognition
WHEREAS, the Mayor of the City of Columbus, Ohio has the responsibility to recognize occasions of outstanding significance; and
WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923 resulting in the murder of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children and the expulsion of the Armenia’s from their ancestral homeland of more than 2,500 years; and
WHEREAS, the first Armenian American communities in Ohio were formed in Cleveland and Cincinnati during the very early part of the 20th century; and today, vibrant Armenian American communities flourished in all four corners of Ohio.
WHEREAS, Armenian Americans throughout Columbus are joined by all those devoted to ending the cycle of crimes against humanity; and NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael B. Coleman, Mayor of the City of Columbus, Ohio do hereby recognize April 24, 2007 as:
Columbus Day of Remembrance 92nd Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, 1915-1923
And urge all member of our community to join in recognition of this significant occasion.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the Mayor of the City of Columbus, Ohio, to be hereto affixed this 24th day of April 2007.
Signed
Mayor Michael B. Coleman
City of Cleveland
Mayor Frank G. Jackson
In Recognition of Armenian Genocide Recognition July 22nd-28th
WHEREAS, On behalf of the citizens of the City of Cleveland, I am honored to offer this proclamation designating July 22nd-28th as Armenian Genocide Recognition week in the City of Cleveland; and
WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide, conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915-1923, resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million men, women, and children and the deportations of an additional one-half million individuals from their ancestral homes, resulting in the elimination of a more than 2,500 year presence of Armenia’s in their historic homeland; and
WHEREAS, recognizing the suffering of the Armenian people underscores one of the major affronts to basic human rights and human dignity in modern times, and preserving the memory of the Armenian Genocide is an essential component in the worldwide effort to avert and abolish contemporary and future genocidal actions and other such atrocities and
WHEREAS, the people of the City of Cleveland embrace justice, and human dignity, and feel a moral responsibility to uphold fundamental human values, and to focus attention on human rights abuses, ethnic cleansing, and genocide.
THEREFORE, I, Frank G. Jackson the 56th Mayor of the City of Cleveland, do hereby offer this Proclamation designating July 22nd-28th as Armenian Genocide Recognition week in the City of Cleveland.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Corporate Seal of the City of Cleveland to be affixed on this 22nd day of July in the year 2007.
Signed
Mayor Frank G. Johnson
Proclamation
City of Cincinnati
Be it Proclaimed:
WHEREAS, beginning in 1915, under the direction of the Ottoman Empire, the Armenian Genocide was carried out; and
WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the deaths of nearly 1.5 million Armenia’s, and hundreds of thousands of deportmen’s; and
WHEREAS, the loss of life and denial of justice resulting from the Armenian Genocide should be a lesson to all in how precious life is; and
WHEREAS, the rich settlement of Armenia’s that began in Cleveland has spread to every corner of Ohio, contributing to all aspects of Ohio Society; and
WHEREAS, by remembering the Armenian Genocide, we acknowledge the pain and suffering endured by those affected, and firmly assert that these types of injustices should never happen again; and
NOW, Therefore, I Mark Mallory, Mayor of the City of Cincinnati to hereby proclaim April 24, 2008 As "Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day" In Cincinnati
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused this seal of the City of Cincinnati to be affixed this 30th day of July in the year of Two Thousand and Seven
Singed
Mayor Mark Mallory
