Los Angeles, CA – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a proclamation on April 16, 2008 regarding state commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. The proclamation declares the week of April 20th through April 27th as “Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

The proclamation reads in parts, “Every April, we take time to commemorate the lives of those forever devastated by the Armenian Genocide. Between 1915 and 1923, more than one million Armenians were killed in the territory of the Ottoman Empire, and countless more lost everything they owned. Intellects and store owners, children and seniors, men and women, people from all walks of life were victims of these horrific acts. Often listed as the first genocide of the twentieth century, these events had a life-altering impact on many, and stimulated an Armenian Diaspora.” “Governor Schwarzenegger’s remembrance and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide marks an important step towards national recognition of the atrocious events of 1915,” said Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. “The Armenian American community is grateful for Gov. Schwarzenegger’s declaration and commitment to recognizing the past so that genocides will not occur in the future,” he added.

This is the eleventh proclamation issued by the Office of the Governor of California in the past twelve years, and supplements the seventeen proclamations by the California Assembly and Senate dating back to 1991.

The full text of the proclamation is included below.

The Armenian National Committee – 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 ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption: Governor of the State of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA).

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT STATE OF CALIFORNIA

PROCLAMATION

Every April, we take time to commemorate the lives of those forever devastated by the Armenian Genocide. Between 1915 and 1923, more than one million Armenians were killed in the territory of the Ottoman Empire, and countless more lost everything they owned. Intellects and store owners, children and seniors, men and women, people from all walks of life were victims of these horrific acts. Often listed as the first genocide of the twentieth century, these events had a life-altering impact on many, and stimulated an Armenian Diaspora.

California has ensured that those lost and affected by this tragedy will not be forgotten. In 2006, I signed Assembly Bill 1210, authored by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, to allow construction of a memorial for California’s survivors in Capitol Park. Additionally, in 2005, I signed Senate Bill 424 authored by Senator Chuck Poochigian, which designated in state law a specific time to observe the California Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.

I ask all Californians to take time this week to reflect on this tragedy and its consequences. In joining our friends in the Armenian-American community in this observance, all of California helps remember the lives that were lost or changed by these fateful events.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim April 20-27, 2008, as “Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 7th day of April 2008.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER Governor of California