Arizona Armenian Genocide Recognition

Arizona legislators have recognized the Armenian Genocide on the state and local level. Gubernatorial proclamations as well as state and local legislation are provided below since 1990.  If you know of other documents to be added to this list – old or new – please send a note to elizabeth@anca.org. We look forward to showcasing them.

Arizona citizens also played an active role in assisting Armenian Genocide survivors through the Congressionally mandated Near East Foundation, during the years 1915 – 1930.  Learn more about their efforts below, through research prepared by the ANCA Western Region’s “America We Thank You” program.

And finally, review our snapshot of news coverage of the Armenian Genocide in Arizona press, as we spotlight three articles, prepared as part of the ANCA’s “Genocide Diary” project.  Check back to the Genocide Diary’s Arizona page for new articles added on a monthly basis.

Arizona Gubernatorial Proclamations

A Proclamation by the Secretary of State
Phoenix, AZ
April 23, 1990

WHEREAS, beginning April 24, 1915, the Armenian people suffered a genocide of great proportion involving the loss of over one and one-half million lives; and

WHEREAS, Armenians have throughout their history suffered needless losses of their population that have bordered on the near annihilation of an entire race, twice having suffered at the hands of conquerors and driven from their homeland; and

WHEREAS, those who survived have continued to hope for a free homeland and for a world free of the desire to destroy an single race of people; and

WHEREAS, traditional to the Armenian custom, April 24th has been designated as “Armenian Martyrs Day” to remember such losses; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the citizens of Arizona to join in this commemoration to rededicate themselves to the principle of equal justice for all people and to remember the atrocities committed against this race so that such horrors are never repeated; and

Now, therefore, I, Rose Mofford, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim April 24, 1990, as A DAY OF ARMENIAN REMEMBRANCE in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the States of Arizona.

DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this the twenty-third day of April in the Year of One Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety and of the Independence of the United States of America the Two Hundred and Fourteenth.

(SIGNED)

Rose Mofford GOVERNOR
Jim Shumway, Secretary of State

A Proclamation by the Governor and Secretary of State
Phoenix, AZ
April 24, 2009

WHEREAS, throughout their history, Armenians have suffered sad losses of their population; and

WHEREAS, these needless losses have decimated the Armenian population; and

WHEREAS, those who survived have continued to hope and strive for a world free of the desire to destroy any single race of people; and

WHEREAS, traditional to the Armenian custom, April 24th has been designated as a day to remember and honor those Armenians who lost their lives; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janice K. Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2009 as

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Arizona.

DONE at the Capitol in Phoenix on this eighth day of April in the year

Two Thousand and Nine, and of the Independence of the United

States of America the Two Hundred and Thirty-third.

ATTEST:

(SIGNED)

Ken Blimett
Secretary of State
Janice K. Brewer
Governor

Office of the Governor

Arizona Municipal

A Proclamation of ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY
Scottsdale, AZ
April 24, 2009

WHEREAS,  throughout their history, Armenians have suffered grace and sad losses of their population; and

WHEREAS, these needless losses have bordered on the near annihilation of an entire race; and

WHEREAS, those who survived have continued to hope and strive for a world free of the desire to destroy any single race of people; and

WHEREAS, traditional to the Armenian custom, April 24th has been designated as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” to remember such losses; and

Now, therefore, I W. J. “Jim” Lane, Mayor of the City of Scottsdale, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2009 as

“ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY”

In Witness Whereof, In Arizona, and urge all citizens to recognize the importance of this observance. I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Seal of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, this 24th day of April, 2009.

(SIGNED)

W.J. “Lane, Mayor
Attest:
Carolyn Jagger, City Clerk

A Proclamation by the Mayor
Tempe, AZ
April 24, 2009

WHEREAS, The United States is a nation built by people who together make up the diverse cultural contributions that lead to a democratic way of life; and

WHEREAS, The City of Tempe welcomes those who have made a home here from all across the nation and the world; and affirms that Tempe is an inclusive community; and

WHEREAS, The City of Tempe renounces discrimination, rejects hatred and genocide, and wishes to recognize the importance of Armenian Independence and reaffirm the commitment to democracy by people from across the globe; and

Now, therefore, I, Hugh Hallman, Mayor of the City of Tempe, Arizona, do hereby declare as

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand this 24th day of April, Two Thousand and Nine.

(SIGNED)

Mayor Hugh Hallman

Arizona Support for Survivors of the Armenian Genocide

Arizona was a staunch supporter of Near East Relief (NER), the American-led campaign that quickly sparked an international response with its unprecedented humanitarian endeavor, mobilizing all segments of American citizenry including elected officials, celebrities and laypersons alike, to help rescue victims of the Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey from 1915-1930.

Arizona facilitated its relief efforts from its NER state headquarters located at 42 East Monroe Street in Phoenix with Charles F. Willis as its state director.

As reported in St. Johns Herald in 1920, the state of Arizona was asked to provide funding to feed, clothe, and educate 1,000 orphans of the NER at cost of $15 per month for each child.

Read the complete fact sheet prepared by America We Thank You.

The Armenian Genocide in Arizona Press

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