April 24, 1990

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
OF THE
CITY OF NEW YORK

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS: SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO TODAY, THE LEADERS OF THE THREE THOUSAND YEAR OLD ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE WERE TAKEN FROM THEIR HOMES, ARRESTED AND PUT TO DEATH; AND

WHEREAS: THIS INHUMAN DESTRUCTION OF ARMENIAN WRITERS, POETS AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT INITIATED A DEVASTATING GENOCIDE WHICH ULTIMATLEY CLAIMED THE LIVES OF ONE AND ONE-HALF MILLION ARMENIAN MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN; AND

WHEREAS: ON THIS DAY OF REMEBRANCE WE PAY TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO DIED, MARTYRS FOR A WORTHY CAUSE; WE ALSO PAY HOMAGE TO THOSE WHO SURVIVED AND WENT FORTH TO BUILD NEW LIVES; AND

WHEREAS: WE HONOR THE STEADFAST SPIRIT OF ARMENIAN AMERICANS TODAY AS THEY CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND TO ENHANCE OUR CITY THROUGH THEIR NOTABLE RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS,

NOW THEREFORE, I, DAVID N. DINKINS, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY THAT BEFELL THE ARMENIAN PEOPLE, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 1990 IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK AS

"A DAY OF REMEMBRENCE OF THE
VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE"

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVE HEREUNTO
SET MY HAND AND CAUSED THE SEAL OF
THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO BE AFFIXED.

(SIGNED)
DAVID N. DINKINS
MAYOR