April 24, 2003

City of Duluth, Minnesota, Office of the Mayor Proclamation

WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide was carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915-23, resulting in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenians and deportation from their historic homeland of 500,000 others; and

WHEREAS, The unfolding crimes were reported widely across Minnesota and in many Duluth newspapers of the day, and Miss Sophie S. Holt of Duluth was among the heroic Americans who rescued Armenians and alerted the American public to the gravity of the situation; and

WHEREAS, One hundred twenty-six of the world's leading Holocaust scholars have affirmed that the Armenian Genocide is historical fact and urge governments worldwide to recognize it as such; and

WHEREAS, The failure of domestic and international authorities to exact justice from those responsible for the Armenian Genocide may have led to repetition of these crimes around the world, and a firm international and judicial response would have spared humanity needless suffering; and

WHEREAS, The Governor of Minnesota and the Mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul have made similar proclamations on the anniversary of recognition of the Armenian Genocide, April 24; and it is fitting that all people of goodwill join the Armenian-American community in solemn reflection on the crime against humanity;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gary L. Doty, Mayor of the City of Duluth, do officially proclaim April 24, 2003 as

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY

in the City of Duluth.

IN TESTIMNOY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City of Duluth to be affixed in the City of Duluth this twenty-fourth day of April in the year of our Lord two thousand three.

Signed
Gary L. Doty