Idaho 33rd State to Affirm Genocide

[LeoMins]

Idaho 33rd State to Affirm Genocide

Armenian National Committee of Idaho

2414 Brumback Street, Boise, Idaho 83702 * Email: [email protected]

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release ~ April 21, 2004

Contact: Rafael Saakyan ~ (208) 484-4363

IDAHO GOVERNOR ISSUES PROCLAMATION COMMEMORATING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

BOISE, ID – Idaho became the 33rd U.S. state to recognize the

Armenian Genocide this week, as Republican Governor Dirk Kempthorne,

Chairman of the National Governors Association, issued a proclamation

citing April 24th "Idaho Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide

of 1915-1923," reported the Armenian National Committee of Idaho (ANC-

Idaho)

The proclamation begins noting that "one and one-half-million

Christian Armenian men, women, and children were the victims of a

brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from

1915-1923." It goes on to cite the importance of commemorating this

crime against humanity as a way of "guarding against the repetition

of future genocides and educating people about the atrocities

connected to these horrific crimes." The complete text of the

Governor's proclamation is provided below.

The gubernatorial proclamation closely follows a resolution

unanimously adopted by the Senate of the Associated Students of Boise

State University (ASBSU) recognizing the Armenian Genocide and

condemning efforts to rewrite history. Senate Resolution 13 notes

that the genocide "has resulted in the elimination of the Armenian

people from their historic homeland of over 3000 years through the

criminal loss of property and life." The resolution "commemorates the

Armenian Genocide and condemns those attempts made by governments as

well as other entities, both public and private, to distort the

historical reality and legal relevance of the Armenian Genocide to

the descendants of its survivors and humanity as a whole."

Upon hearing the news of the Governor's proclamation, David Morriss,

President of the ASBSU, commented: "I think it's fantastic that the

Governor not only recognizes the importance of bringing this

information to light, but also stands behind efforts to educate the

public about the Armenian Genocide".

Chairman of ANC-Idaho, Rafael Saakyan, commended Governor Kempthorne

on his "commitment to advancing human rights issues in the state of

Idaho and for joining the Armenian community across this great state

in sustaining the flame of remembrance for the victims of the

Armenian Genocide." Saakyan then urged the Idaho Congressional

delegation to "ensure that their state's views are well represented

through their support for the adoption of the Genocide resolution in

the House and Senate."

Rebecca Kun, communications director for ANC-Idaho, worked closely

with the ANC-Idaho team to collect close to 600 signatures for the

proclamation request. "This was a marathon process -- we collected

594 signatures in 2 ½ weeks in order to get our proclamation request

submitted in time to meet the April 24th deadline we set for

ourselves. With this proclamation and the Boise State initiative it

is clear that the Armenian community, working together, can make a

real difference." Ms. Kun continued, stating "as a first generation

holocaust survivor, I understand the importance of bringing these

events to light. Having this proclamation signed by both the State of

Idaho and Boise State University is the first step to correct the

dissemination of lies that has been perpetuated for the last 89

years."

Massachusetts State Republican Committee man Bob Semonian of

Watertown, MA helped the ANC-Idaho bring their concerns to the

attention of the Governor's office. Semonian discussed the importance

of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide with Gov. Kempthorne

directly at the recent National Governor's Association (NGA) meeting

in Washington, DC.

The Idaho proclamation follows an earlier letter of recognition

issued by Montana's Republican Governor Judith Martz in late March.

Jamestown North Dakota Mayor Charles Kourajian issued a city

proclamation honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide last week.

#####

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Text of the Idaho Proclamation Commemorating the Armenian Genocide

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The Office of the Governor

Proclamation

Executive Department

State of Idaho

State Capitol

Boise

WHEREAS, one and one-half-million Christian Armenian men, women, and

children were victims of a brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman

Turkish Government from 1915-1923; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian genocide and massacres of Armenian people have

been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving

and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and

WHEREAS, recognition of the eighty-ninth anniversary of this genocide

is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and

educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific

events; and

WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans living in Idaho have greatly enriched our

state through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia,

government and the arts;

NOW, THEREFORE I, DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Governor of the State of Idaho, do

hereby proclaim April 24, 2004, to be

IDAHO DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be

affixed the Great Seal of the State of Idaho at the Capitol in Boise

on this twentieth day of April in the year of our Lord two-thousand

and four and of the Independence of the United States of America the

two hundred twenty-eighth and of the Statehood of Idaho the one

hundred fourteenth.

[signature]

DIRK KEMPTHORNE

GOVERNOR

[signature]

BEN YSURSA

SECRETARY OF STATE

http://anca.org/anca/pressrel.asp?prID=558

[Phrygian]

[xes]

не к теме, но Айдахо, это очень странный штат, в прошлом году они признали независимость басков.

[Vigen]

не к теме, но Айдахо, это очень странный штат, в прошлом году они признали независимость басков.

правильно сделали что признали независимость, Баски должны иметь свое гос-во.

Первый раз слышу про это штат

[LeoMins]

не к теме, но Айдахо, это очень странный штат, в прошлом году они признали независимость басков.

:lol: а когда признают Арцах?