April 21, 2005

PROCLAMATION

Armenian Martyrs Day

WHEREAS, on April 24, 2005, Armenians around the world will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; during the First World War, the Turkish Empire in an effort of general extermination and elimination of all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old; of the Armenian population in Eastern Turkey, massacred approximately 1.5 million men, women, and children in the twentieth century's first genocides; and

WHEREAS, although the survivors of this massacre were scattered to all parts of the world, they have maintained their identity and unity through their church, passing along to each generation not only a strong Christian faith but a knowledge of their language, history and culture; and

WHEREAS, the survivors and descendents of this genocide which drove them from their homeland, recall and commemorate April 24, 1915 as Armenian Martyr's Day; and

WHEREAS, the heroic struggles of the Armenian people inspire and challenge us to cherish and preserve the freedom that is ours; and

WHEREAS,on April 24, 2005, City of Houston residents will be called together to commemorate the 90th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915; and

WHEREAS, the commemoration will serve as an appropriate time for the people of the City of Houston and others to remember the 1.5 Armenian men, women, and children who lost their lives; and

Therefore, I, Bill White, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaim April 24, 2005, as

Armenian Martyr's Day

in Houston, Texas.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Official Seal of the City of Houston to be affixed this 21st day of April 2005, A.D.

(Signed)

Bill White, Mayor

City of Houston, Texas