March 26, 2001

Senate Joint Resolution 5

A Senate Joint Resolution concerning Maryland Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide

FOR the purpose of remembering the Armenian Genocide; and designating April 24 as "Maryland Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and thereafter".

WHEREAS, One and one-half million men, women, and children of Armenian descent were victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire from in 1915 and thereafter; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide and massacres of the Armenian people represented a systematic attempt to eliminate a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his invasion of Poland in 1939, Adolf Hitler, the German Nazi dictator, seeking to dispel fears among his military command regarding the world's response to his genocidal plans, asked "Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?"; and

WHEREAS, Residents of Maryland are highly sensitive to the need for consistently remembering and openly condemning the crimes committed against any culture or people to prevent similar atrocities in the future; and

WHEREAS, Recognition of the Armenian genocide is crucial to ensuring against the repetition of future genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events; and

WHEREAS, Armenia is now a free and independent republic, having embraced democracy following nearly 70 years of oppressive Soviet domination; and

WHEREAS, Armenian-Americans living in Maryland have greatly enriched our State through their leadership in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That theGeneral Assembly of Maryland designates April 24 as "Maryland Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor in the Governor's annual message on or about April 24 commemorate the Armenian Genocide and commend this observance to all Maryland residents; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of Legislative Services to the Honorable Parris N. Glendening, Governor of Maryland; the Honorable Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., President of the Senate of Maryland; and the Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr., Speaker of the House of Delegates; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of Legislative Services to the Maryland Congressional Delegation: Senators Paul S. Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; and Representatives Wayne T. Gilchrest, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Benjamin L. Cardin, Albert R. Wynn, Steny Hamilton Hoyer, Roscoe G. Bartlett, Elijah E. Cummings, and Constance A. Morella, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded by the Department of Legislative Services to the Armenian National Committee of Maryland, 4906 Flint Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20816; and the Armenian Assembly of America, 122 C Street, NW, Suite 350, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Read the official bill from the web site of the Maryland General Assembly.