April 24, 2001

Certificate of recognition

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Armenian Martyrs Day

WHEREAS, more than one and one-half million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman Turks and others were deported from their homeland between 1915 and 1923; and

WHEREAS, eighty-six years ago, Armenians were forced to witness the slaughter of their relatives and the destruction of their homes; and

WHEREAS, many citizens of our great Commonwealth and nation are Armenians who found refuge in the liberty extolled in American documents and on the lips of her citizens; and

WHEREAS, thousands of Armenian families live and work in our Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS; citizens of Armenian descent actively contribute to the culture and vitality of Virginia through research, education, medicine, law, business, arts, sports and community service;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James S. Gilmore III, do hereby recognize April 24, 2001, as ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

[signed]
James S. Gilmore III
Governor