Missouri Armenian Genocide Affirmation

Missouri legislators have recognized the Armenian Genocide on the state level. Gubernatorial proclamations as well as state and local legislation are provided below since 2015.  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.

Missouri 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 Missouri press, as we spotlight three articles, prepared as part of the ANCA’s “Genocide Diary” project.  Check back to the Genocide Diary’s Missouri page for new articles added on a monthly basis.

Missouri House

RESOLUTION BY THE MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MISSOURI
MARCH 8, 2008

Whereas, on April 24, 1915, three hundred Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers and professionals and five thousand of the poorest Armenians in Constantinople were rounded up and killed in the streets and in their homes by the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire; and

Whereas, from 1915 to 1923 nearly one and a half million Armenian men, women, and children out of a total of two and a half million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire were systematically sent to concentration camps, tortured and murdered by the Turks; and

Whereas, the United States was the first country to recognize the Armenian Genocide and raise millions of dollars to aid the victims of the Genocide; and

Whereas, most Armenians in the United States are children or grandchildren of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide; and

Whereas, by remembering and forcefully condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenians and honoring the survivors, as well as other victims of similar heinous conduct, we guard against repetition of such acts of genocide; and

Whereas, April 24 is the date on which Armenians around the world commemorate the Genocide in recognition of the day in  1915 when over five thousand Armenians were killed  in Constantinople by the Turkish Ottoman Empire:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-first General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby declare April 24th to be a “Day of Remembrance of the Armenian  Genocide”; and

Be it further resolved that all Missourians be encouraged to observe the day in a manner that honors the survivors and  brings to mind the meaning  and historical significance of the Armenian Genocide

Offered by Representative Bill Boucher

Ted Wedel , Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, and Terry L. Spieler, Secretary of the Senate, do hereby certify that the aforementioned is a true and correct copy of House Concurrent Resolution No. 4, adopted by the House of Representatives on April 24, 2002, and concurred in the Senate on May 8, 2002.

(Signed)

Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
Secretary of the Senate

Missouri’s Support for Survivors of the Armenian Genocide

Missouri 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.

Missouri facilitated its NER efforts through its two state offices. The Eastern Region’s office was located at the Chemical Building in St. Louis, while the Western Region’s office was located at 701 Scarritt Building in Kansas City.

In December 1920 alone, Missouri contributed $10,425.76 to NER through its Christmas Giving Campaign.

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

The Armenian Genocide in Missouri Press

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