Bismarck, ND – The Armenian National Committee of America- Western Region (ANCA-WR) welcomed today a resolution issued by the state of North Dakota’s House and Senate proclaiming April 24 as a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.

The “Peace Garden State” proclamation makes North Dakota the 39th state to recognize the Armenian Genocide. North Dakota was quickly followed by Ohio which became the 40th state to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The full text of the North Dakota proclamation is provided below.

“As North Dakota and Ohio bring the total of states that recognize the Armenian Genocide to 40 total, the ANCA-WR continues to work to gain recognition of this crime against humanity by all states across the country,” commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. “It is important to note that this increase in state-level support is mirrored by the addition of new cosponsors to H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106 in the United States House and Senate,” he added.

The proclamation, House Concurrent Resolution NO. 3003 (Representatives Hanson, Kroeber and Senator Nething), acknowledges Ambassador Morgenthau’s statement that “whatever crimes the most perverted instincts in the human mind can devise, and whatever refinement of persecutions and injustice the most debased imagination can conceive, became the daily misfortunes of these ‘devoted’ people” and states that “the killing of the Armenian people was accomplished by the systematic destruction of churches, schools, libraries, treasures of art, and cultural monuments in an attempt to eliminate all traces of a noble civilization with a history of more than 3000 years.”

The proclamation additionally states that “it is essential to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide not only because it is an undeniable chapter of world history, but also because learning more about this unconscionable tragedy will help better understand the necessity of eliminating hatred from our own communities.”

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Sixtieth Legislative Assembly of North Dakota In Regular Session Commencing Wednesday, January 3, 2007

House Concurrent Resolution NO. 3003 (Representatives Hanson, Kroeber) (Senator Nething)

A concurrent resolution proclaiming April 24 as a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, 1,500,000 men, women, and children of Armenian descent were victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915 and thereafter; and

WHEREAS, the United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., stated, “Whatever crimes the most perverted instincts of the human mind can devise, and whatever refinement of persecutions and injustice the most debased imagination can conceive, became the daily misfortunes of these ‘devoted people.’”; and

WHEREAS, the killing of the Armenian people was accomplished by the systematic destruction of churches, schools, libraries, treasures of art, and cultural monuments in an attempt to eliminate all traces of a noble civilization with a history of more than 3,000 years; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide has been acknowledged by several countries and international bodies; and

WHEREAS, each year Armenians throughout the world honor those who perished from 1915 to 1923, and all the world’s people should commemorate the Armenian Genocide because it stands as an ugly testament to man’s inhumanity to man; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide not only because it is an undeniable chapter of world history, but also because learning more about this unconscionable tragedy will help better understand the necessity of eliminating hatred from our own communities;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF NORTH DAKOTA, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN:

That April 24 is proclaimed as a day of remembrance of the Armenian Genocide; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State forward copies of this resolution to the chairman of the Armenian community of North Dakota, the Armenian Assembly of America, the Armenian National Committee, each member of the North Dakota Congressional Delegation, and the President of the United States.

Signed, Speaker of the House – Jeff Delzer Chief Clerk of the House – Buell Reich President of the Senate – John Dalrymple Secretary of the Senate – Timothy Wood