April 21, 2003

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide was masterminded by the Young Turks, a political group that gained control of the Ottoman Empire and who believed in an extreme form of nationalism; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide is commemorated on April 24th because on that date in 1915 hundreds of Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers and professionals in Constantinople were rounded up, deported and killed; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the deaths of over one million Armenian men, women and children from 1915-1923, out of a total of 2.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide has been recognized as an attempt to elimate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian Genocide's eighty-eighth anniversary is remembered by the residents of Pleasant Hill as a demonstration of their sensitivity to the need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill does hereby declare April 24, 2003 as PLEASANT HILL DAY OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OF 1915-1923.

ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Pleasant Hill at a regular meeting of said Council on the 21st day of April, 2003, by the following vote:

Signed
Suzanne Angeli, Mayor

Attest:
Doris P. Nilsen, City Clerk

Approved as to form:
Debra S. Margolis, City Attorney

Certified a true copy:
Deputy City Clerk of Pleasant Hill