New Jersey Armenian Genocide Affirmation

GOVERNOR HUGHES DEDICATES MEMORIAL

EMERSON, N.J. – A permanent monument to the memories of the Armenian Maryrs of 1915-1918 was unveiled recently on the grounds of the Home for the Armenian Aged here, with New Jersey Governor Richard J. Hughes, shown above speaking before the monument, and Congressmen Charles S. Joelson and Henry Helstoski, United States Commissioner Theodore Kiscaris, and New Jersey Senatorial Candidate Ned J. Parsekian in attendance. Member clergy of churches other than the Armenian Apostolic were also present at the impressive excercises.

As Printed in the Armenian Weekly, June 10, 1965, page 6

A Proclamation by the Governor
New Jersey
April 14, 1975

A Heroic Posterity

Executive Department

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, two hundred years ago, our nation committed itself to oppose tyranny and oppression, and began its historic struggle for independence, and;

WHEREAS, that struggle has given hope and inspiration to millions of victims of persecution and oppression all over the world, many of whom have found refuge in our country, and;

WHEREAS, sixty years ago, millions of Armenians fled in terror from their ancient homeland, and one and half million Armenians were massacred in an attempt by the Turkish authorities of that time to exterminate the Armenian race, and;

WHEREAS, on April 24, Armenians the world over commemorate Martyrs’ Day, the day in 1915 when the Turks arrested and killed 250 Armenian community leaders and intellectuals, and;

WHEREAS, it is fitting to honor the memory of those martyrs, in the hope that the conscience of the world can bring a halt to senseless slaughter, an end to all human suffering, and a reawakening of a sense of justice for the Armenian people, and;

WHEREAS, it is also appropriate to pay tribute to the survivors of the Armenian tragedy, especially to the hundreds of thousands who have made their home in our country and have become hard-working, loyal citizens, many of whom we are proud to have reside in our own State of New Jersey, and;

NOW, THERFORE, I, BRENDAN BYRNE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim APRIL 24, 1975 as ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY in New Jersey, and urge all citizens to duly support its observance, for we must never be indifferent, never forget, never ignore injustice and human suffering.

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this fourteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-five, and in the Independence of the United States, the one hundred and ninety-ninth.

(SIGNED)

Brendan Byrne, Governor

A Proclamation
State of New Jersey
April 24, 1986

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

WHEREAS, April 24, 1986, will make the 71st Anniversary of the massacre of 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children living in the Turkish Ottoman Empire, and;

WHEREAS, this day serves as an unfortunate reminder of man’s inhumanity to man, and a reminder that this genocide is totally against the principles of all who uphold human rights, and;

WHEREAS, the rights of free conscience and free worship for which the Armenian martyrs died are principles still held most sacred by the Armenian people, and;

WHEREAS, we should also remember the accomplishments of a scattered people once they found a new home in the United States where their communities flourished, and;

WHEREAS, the works and contributions to business, the arts, the professions, academia, government and philanthropic endeavors which the descendants of these immigrants have created are records of which all Americans and all Armenian-Americans can be proud, and;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS H. KEAN, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim April 24, 1986 as Armenian Martyrs’ Day in New Jersey

A Proclamation by the Governor and Secretary of State
State of New Jersey
April 1, 2002

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

WHEREAS, April 24th is the traditional day to remember Armenians who died in 1915, fighting for the rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, and;

WHEREAS, this day serves as an important reminder prompting us to renew our vigilance against tyranny and promote the principles of human dignity and human rights worldwide, and;

WHEREAS, the Armenian American people have a proud heritage and continue to make valuable contributions to the cultural, economic, social and political development of New Jersey, and;

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that we join with the Armenian American community in New Jersey to commemorate the memory of the victims, in hopes that we, as a state and as individual citizens, will strive to overcom prejudice, hatred and indifference through learning, tolerance and remembrance, and;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. McGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do herby proclaim APRIL 24, 2002 As ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY in New Jersey.

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this first day of April in the year of Our Lord two thousand two and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

(SIGNED)

James E. McGreevey GOVERNOR
REGENA L. THOMAS, SECRETARY OF STATE

A Proclamation by the Governor and Secretary of State
State of New Jersey
March 15, 2004

WHEREAS, April 24th is the traditional day to remember Armenians who died in 1915, fighting for the rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, and;

WHEREAS, this day serves as an important reminder prompting us to renew our vigilance against tyranny and promote the principles of human dignity and human rights worldwide, and;

WHEREAS, the Armenian-American people have a proud heritage and continue to make valuable contributions to the cultural, economic, social and political development of New Jersey, and;

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that we join with the Armenian-American community in New Jersey to commemorate the memory of the victims, in hopes that we, as a State and as individual citizens, will strive to overcome prejudice, hatred and indifference through learning, tolerance and remembrance, and;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES E. MCGREEVEY, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do here by proclaim April 24, 2004 as Armenian Martyrs Day In New Jersey

GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this fifteenth day of March in the year of Our Lord two thousand four and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

(SIGNED)

James E. McGreevey Governor
Regena L. Thomas, Secretary of State

Proclamation
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
April 18th, 2006

WHEREAS, from 1913 to 1923, 1.5 million Armenian people were systematically persecuted and executed by the governments of the Ottoman Empire in the first genocide of the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, the genocide began on the night of April 24, 1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200 Armenian community leaders in Constantinople and hundreds more soon after; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian people were then systematically subject to deportation, expropriation,abduction, torture, massacre and starvation; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of Armenian men, women and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian desert, where the majority of the deportees died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that by 1918,approximately one million people had perished, while hundreds of thousands had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, by 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia had been expunged of its Armenian population; and

WHEREAS,the Armenian-American people have a proud heritage and continue to make valuable contributions to the cultural, economic, social and political development of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, April 24, 2006 serves as an important reminder of those who died in 1915 fighting for the rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, a day that allows us to renew our vigilance against tyranny and promote the principles of human dignity and human rights worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian-American people commemorate the 91st Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate that we join with the Armenian-American community in New Jersey to commemorate the memory of the victims, in hopes that we, as a State and as individual citizens, will strive to overcome prejudice, hatred, and indifference through learning, tolerance and remembrance;

WHEREAS, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee (ARMENPAC) is an independent,bipartisan political action committee, which raises awareness of, and advocates for, policies that help create peace, security and stability in the Caucasus region; and

WHEREAS, ARMENPAC along with Knights of Vartan, a fraternal organization, are dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and host a Commemoration Event in New York City; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JON S. CORZINE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2006as ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY IN NEW JERSEY
GIVEN, under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this eighteenth day of April in the year two thousand six and of the Independence of the United States, the two hundred and thirtieth.

(SIGNED)

GOVERNOR
SECRETARY OF STATE

Proclamation
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
APRIL 24, 2007

WHEREAS from 1915 to 1923, 1.5 million Armenian people were systematically persecuted and executed by the governments  of the Ottoman Empire in the first genocide of the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, the genocide began on the night of April 24, 1915, when the government arrested more than 200 Armenian community leaders in Constantinople and hundreds more soon after; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian people were then systematically subject to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and starvation; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of thousands of Armenian men, women and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian desert, where the majority of the deportees died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that by 1918, approximately one and a half million people had perished, while hundreds of thousands had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, by 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia had been expunged of its Armenian population; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian-American people have a proud  heritage and continue to make valuable contributions to the cultural, economic, social and political development of New Jersey; and

WHEREAS, April 24, 2007 serves as an important reminder of those who died in 1915 fighting for the rights of freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, a day that allows us to renew our vigilance against tyranny and promote the principles of human dignity and human rights worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the Armenian-American people commemorate the 9211d Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; and WHEREAS,  it  is  appropriate   that  we  join   with   the  Armenian-American community   in  New   Jersey  to commemorate  the memory  of  the victims,  in hopes  that we, as a  State  and  as  individuals  citizens, will  strive   to overcome prejudice,  hatred and indifference through learning, tolerance and remembrance;  and

WHEREAS, all American-American organizations; such as, fraternities, different denominational churches, cultural groups, educational groups are all dedicated to the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide and host of Commemorative Events all over the USA, and the world; and

WHEREAS, they all raise awareness of, and advocate for, policies about helping create peace, security and stability  to all Armenians  whatever regions they may be living in;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICHARD J. CODEY, Acting Governor of the State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim APRIL 24, 2007 AS ARMENIAN  MARTYRS DAY

GIVEN, under my hand  and  the Great Seal of the State of New Jersey, this twenty­ fourth day of April in the year two thousand seven, the two hundred thirty-first year of the Independence of  the  United States.

SENATE RESOLUTION No. 115
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
JUNE 21, 2007

Sponsored by:

Senator GERALD CARDINALE

District 39 (Bergen)

Senator JOSEPH M. KYRILLOS, JR.

District 13 (Middlesex and Monmouth)

SYNOPSIS

Designates April 24, 2008 as “Armenian Martyrs’ Day”.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

SR115 CARDINALE, KYRILLOS 2

A SENATE RESOLUTION  designating  April  24,  2008  as “Armenian Martyrs’ Day ”.

WHEREAS, On April 24,  1915,  under  the leadership of the Young Turk Party of the  Ottoman  Empire,  about  300 Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers, and professionals were rounded up, deported, and killed in Constantinople or present-day Istanbul, Turkey, and;

WHEREAS, On that same day, about 5,000 of the poorest Armenians were butchered by battalions in their homes and in the streets, and;

WHEREAS, These events are emblematic of what is today  recognized by scholars, governments, and civil society all over the world as the Armenian Genocide  of  World  War  I,  when  from  1915 through 1923, the   Young   Turk   leadership   of  the   Ottoman   Empire orchestrated the persecution and death of approximately 1.5 million of the 2.5 million Armenians then living in Anatolia or present-day Turkey, and;

WHEREAS, In  the  face  of so  much  evidence  to  the  contrary  it is dangerous to deny,  as the  government  of Turkey  does today, that the Armenian Genocide ever happened, and;

WHEREAS, The  danger  of denial  manifested  itself  as  early  as the 1920s when, on the eve of sending his troops into Poland in  World War II, Hitler himself said: “Go, kill without mercy… Who  today remembers the annihilation of the Armenians?”, and;

WHEREAS, We shall commemorate with the Armenian community  in New Jersey, the United States, Armenia, and the world these events that today call upon us to ensure that such history does not repeat itself; now, therefore, 28

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of New Jersey: 

This House designates April 24, 2008 as “Armenian  Martyrs’ Day,” and urges Governor Jon Corzine to memorialize this day  in recognition that the tragic  events  of 1915  and  the  following years should be remembered by those of us living today.  Duly authenticated  copies  of this  resolution,  signed  by the Senate President  and  attested  by  the  Secretary  thereof,  shall   be transmitted to Governor Jon Corzine.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates April 24, 2008 as “Armenian Martyrs’ Day,” in   commemoration  of  the  persecution  and   death  of   5 million Armenians  from  1915  through 1923  in  Anatolia, present- day Turkey, under the rule of the Young Turk Party of the  Ottoman Empire.  These  events  are  widely  recognized  today  by scholars, governments, and  civil  society  groups  around  the  world  as   the  Armenian Genocide of World War I

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 72
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
MARCH 12, 2015

Sponsored by:

Senator  JOSEPH M. KYRILLOS, JR.

District 13 (Monmouth)

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A JOINT  RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  100th  anniversary  of  the

Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923, 1.5 million Armenian  people  were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments of the Ottoman  Empire  in   the  first   genocide  of   the    twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200  Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of  the prominent public figures of  the   Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people were then  systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of  Armenian men, women  and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority of  the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that by 1918, approximately one  million people had perished, while  hundreds  of  thousands had  become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia had been  expunged of  its  Armenian  population;now, therefore, 27

BE IT  RESOLVED  by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the

State of New Jersey:

This joint resolution recognizes the 100th anniversary of   the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by the  governments of  the  Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic significance.The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and honor the memory of  the  5  million people who died.

STATEMENT

This joint  resolution  recognizes  the  100th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledges the  criminal  mistreatment  of  the  Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic homeland.  From 1915    to   1923, 5    million   Armenian people were systematically persecuted and executed in the first genocide of  the twentieth century

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 71

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

219th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 13, 2020

Sponsored by:

Senator JOSEPH A. LAGANA

District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)

Senator VIN GOPAL

District 11 (Monmouth)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senators Schepisi and Scutari

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes Armenian Genocide.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Concurrent Resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

Whereas, On April 24, 1915, Ottoman Empire authorities arrested, and later executed, more than 200 Armenian community leaders and intellectuals in the capital of Constantinople, now known as Istanbul; and

Whereas, This atrocity marked the escalation of systemic persecution and violence against the Armenian people by the government of the Ottoman Empire that continued through 1923; and

Whereas, During this period, Armenians were subject to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre, and starvation, planned and orchestrated by the government of the Ottoman Empire; and

Whereas, In all, approximately 1.5 million Armenians had perished and hundreds of thousands more had become homeless, stateless refugees at the hands of the Ottoman Empire; and

Whereas, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia had been expunged of its Armenian population; and

Whereas, These horrific events constitute what is widely recognized today by numerous scholars, governments, and international organizations as the Armenian Genocide; and

Whereas, Notwithstanding the historical evidence to the contrary, some, including the government of the Republic of Turkey, deny that the Armenian Genocide ever happened; and

Whereas, The danger of denying these events was manifested when Adolf Hitler ordered his military commanders to attack Poland without provocation in 1939 by saying “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?,” setting the stage for the Holocaust; and

Whereas, In 2019, the United States Congress expressed that it is the policy of the United States to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance; and

Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper to remember, with the Armenian communities throughout New Jersey, the United States, and the world, and with Armenia, these tragic events to help ensure that such atrocities are never repeated; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The New Jersey Legislature recognizes the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of Armenians by the government of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic significance.

2. The New Jersey Legislature expresses that it is the sense of the Legislature that it is the policy of New Jersey to:

(1) commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance;

(2) reject efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the State of New Jersey with denial of the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide; and

(3) encourage education and public understanding of the facts of the Armenian Genocide, including the role of the United States in humanitarian relief efforts, and the relevance of the Armenian Genocide to modern-day crimes against humanity.

3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of the State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor of the State of New Jersey and each member of Congress elected from this State.

STATEMENT

This concurrent resolution recognizes the Armenian Genocide and the atrocities suffered by the Armenians at the hands of the government of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 through 1923. During this period, Armenians were subject to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre, and starvation, all of which were planned and orchestrated by the government of the Ottoman Empire. These horrific events are widely recognized today by numerous scholars, governments, and international organizations as the Armenian Genocide. This tragic event in history must be acknowledged and remembered to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

The concurrent resolution also expresses the Legislature’s sense that it is the policy of New Jersey to:

(1) commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official recognition and remembrance;

(2) reject efforts to enlist, engage, or otherwise associate the State of New Jersey with denial of the Armenian Genocide or any other genocide; and

(3) encourage education and public understanding of the facts of the Armenian Genocide, including the role of the United States in humanitarian relief efforts, and the relevance of the Armenian Genocide to modern-day crimes against humanity.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 125
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
MAY 5, 2005

Sponsored by: Assemblywoman JOAN VOSS District 38 (Bergen)

Assemblyman ROBERT GORDON District 38 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblymen Chivukula and Eagler

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

A JOINT   RESOLUTIONrecognizing the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

WHEREAS, From 1915 to 1923, 5 million Armenian people  were systematically persecuted and executed by the governments of the Ottoman Empire in the first genocide of the twentieth century;  and

WHEREAS, The genocide began on the night of April 24, 1915, when the Turkish   government   arrested   more   than   200 Armenian community leaders in Constantinople and hundreds more soon after;and

WHEREAS, Most of the  prominent public figures of  the   Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people were then systematically subject to deportation, expropriation,   abduction,   torture,   massacre  and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of  Armenian men, women    and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian desert, where the  majority of  the  deportees died    of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that by 1918, approximately one  million people had perished, while hundreds of  thousands had    become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia had been expunged of its Armenian population; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate and General Assembly of the  State of New Jersey:

This joint resolution recognizes the  90th  anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic significance. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and honor the memory of the 1.5 million people who died as a result. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This  joint  resolution  recognizes  the  90th  anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the citizens of New Jersey to recognize the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and to remember those who died as a result.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 66
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman JOAN M. VOSS District 38 (Bergen)

Assemblyman ROBERT M. GORDON District 38 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Chivukula

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

A JOINT   RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923,  5  million  Armenian people were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments of the Ottoman  Empire   in   the   first   genocide   of  the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915,when the Turkish government arrested more than 200   Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of the  prominent  public  figures  of the Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people  were then systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre  and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands  of Armenian  men,  women  and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority  of the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is  estimated that  by 1918,  approximately one million people had  perished,  while  hundreds  of thousands  had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and  historic West Armenia  had  been expunged  of its  Armenian  population; now therefore,

BE IT  RESOLVED   by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the

State of New Jersey:

This  joint  resolution recognizes  the  90th anniversary of  the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by  the  governments  of the  Ottoman  Empire  as an issue of international and historic significance. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the  citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the  90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide  and   honor  the  memory  of  the  5 million people who died as a result This joint resolution shall take  effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution  recognizes  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledges the  criminal  mistreatment  of the  Armenians  by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic From  1915    to   1923,    5    million   Armenian    people    were systematically persecuted and executed in the  first  genocide of  the twentieth century

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 58
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman JOAN M. VOSS District 38 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Chivukula

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

A JOINT   RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923,  5  million  Armenian people were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments of the Ottoman  Empire   in   the   first   genocide   of  the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200   Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of the  prominent  public  figures  of the Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people  were then systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre  and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands  of Armenian  men,  women  and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority  of the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is  estimated that  by 1918,  approximately one million people had  perished,  while  hundreds  of thousands  had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and  historic West Armenia  had  been expunged  of its  Armenian  population; now therefore,

BE IT  RESOLVED   by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the

State of New Jersey:

This  joint  resolution recognizes  the  90th anniversary of  the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by  the  governments  of the  Ottoman  Empire  as an issue of international and historic significance.The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the   citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the  90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide  and   honor  the  memory  of  the  5    million people who died as a result.This joint resolution shall take  effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint   resolution  recognizes  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledges the  criminal  mistreatment  of the  Armenians  by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic. From  1915    to   1923,    5    million   Armenian    people    were systematically persecuted and executed in the  first  genocide of  the twentieth century.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 12
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman JOAN M. VOSS District 38 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Chivukula

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

A JOINT   RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  90th  anniversary  of   the
Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923,  5  million  Armenian people were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments ofthe Ottoman  Empire   in   the   first   genocide   of  the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200   Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of the  prominent  public  figures  of the Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people  were then systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre  and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands  of Armenian  men,  women  and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority  of the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is  estimated that  by 1918,  approximately one million people had  perished,  while  hundreds  of thousands  had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and  historic West Armenia  had  been expunged  of its  Armenian  population; now therefore,

BE IT  RESOLVED by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the

State of New Jersey:

This joint  resolution recognizes  the  90th anniversary of  the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by  the  governments  of the  Ottoman  Empire  as an issue of international and historic significance. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the   citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the  90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide  and   honor  the  memory  of  the  5    million people who died as a result. This joint resolution shall take  effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint   resolution  recognizes  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledges the  criminal  mistreatment  of the  Armenians  by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic.  From  1915    to   1923,    5    million   Armenian    people    were systematically persecuted and executed in the  first  genocide of  the twentieth century.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 18
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman JOAN M. VOSS District 38 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Chivukula

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

A JOINT   RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923,  5  million  Armenian people were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments of the Ottoman  Empire   in   the   first   genocide   of  the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200   Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of the  prominent  public  figures  of the Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people  were then systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre  and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands  of Armenian  men,  women  and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority  of the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is  estimated that  by 1918,  approximately one million people had  perished,  while  hundreds  of thousands  had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and  historic West Armenia  had  been expunged  of its  Armenian  population; now therefore,

BE IT  RESOLVED   by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the

State of New Jersey:

This  joint  resolution recognizes  the  90th anniversary of  the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by  the  governments  of the  Ottoman  Empire  as an issue of international and historic significance. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the  citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the  90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide  and   honor  the  memory  of  the  5  million people who died as a result

This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint resolution designates April 24 of each year as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day,” in recognition of the atrocities suffered by the Armenians at the hands of the government of the Ottoman Empire from 1915 through 1923. During this period, Armenians were subject to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre, and starvation, all of which were planned and orchestrated by the government of the Ottoman Empire. These horrific events are widely recognized today by numerous scholars, governments, and international organizations as the Armenian Genocide. This tragic event in history must be acknowledged and remembered to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 42
STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman JOAN M. VOSS District 38 (Bergen)

Co-Sponsored by: Assemblyman Chivukula

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 90th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

A JOINT   RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  90th  anniversary  of   the

Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923,  5  million  Armenian people were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments of the Ottoman  Empire   in   the   first   genocide   of  the twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200   Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of the  prominent  public  figures  of the Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people  were then systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre  and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands  of Armenian  men,  women and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority  of the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is  estimated that  by 1918,  approximately one million people had  perished,  while  hundreds  of thousands  had become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia  had  been expunged  of its  Armenian  population;
now therefore,

BE IT  RESOLVED   by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the
State of New Jersey:This  joint  resolution recognizes  the  90th anniversary of  the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by  the  governments  of the  Ottoman  Empire  as an issue of international and historic significance. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the   citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the  90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide  and   honor  the  memory  of  the  5 million people who died as a result This joint resolution shall take  effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint   resolution  recognizes  the  90th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledges the  criminal  mistreatment  of the  Armenians  by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic.  From  1915    to   1923,    5    million   Armenian    people    were systematically persecuted and executed in the  first  genocide of  the twentieth century.

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION No. 97
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
FEBRUARY 12, 2015

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman JOSEPH A. LAGANA District 38 (Bergen and Passaic) Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE District 38 (Bergen and Passaic) Assemblyman PAUL D. MORIARTY District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)

SYNOPSIS

Recognizes 100th anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

A JOINT  RESOLUTION   recognizing  the  100th  anniversary  of  the

Armenian Genocide.

WHEREAS, From 1915 to  1923, 1.5 million  Armenian  people were systematically persecuted  and  executed  by  the  governments of the Ottoman  Empire  in   the  first   genocide  of  the     twentieth century; and

WHEREAS, The  genocide  began  on  the  night  of  April  24,  1915, when the Turkish government arrested more than 200  Armenian community leaders  in  Constantinople  and  hundreds  more soon after; and

WHEREAS, Most of  the prominent public figures of  the   Armenian community were summarily executed; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian people were then  systematically  subject to deportation,  expropriation,  abduction,  torture,  massacre and starvation; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of  Armenian men, women and children were forcibly removed from their homes and deported to the Syrian  desert,  where  the  majority of  the  deportees  died of dehydration and starvation; and

WHEREAS, It is  estimated that by 1918, approximately one  million people had perished, while  hundreds  of  thousands had  become homeless and stateless refugees; and

WHEREAS, By 1923, the entire landmass of Asia Minor and historic West Armenia had  been  expunged of  its  Armenian population; now, therefore,

BE IT  RESOLVED  by  the  Senate  and  General  Assembly  of the

State of New Jersey:

This joint resolution recognizes the 100th anniversary of   the Armenian Genocide and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of the Armenians  by the  governments of  the  Ottoman  Empire as   an issue of international and historic significance. The Governor and the Legislature shall call upon the citizens of the State of New Jersey to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide  and  honor  the  memory  of  the  5     million people who died as a result. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This joint  resolution  recognizes  the  100th  anniversary  of   the Armenian Genocide by the governments of the Ottoman Empire and acknowledges the criminal mistreatment of  the Armenians by the governments of the Ottoman Empire as an issue of international and historic.  From 1915    to   1923,    5    million   Armenian    people    were systematically persecuted and executed in the first genocide of the twentieth

RESOLUTION FOR THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
Long Branch, New Jersey

WHEREAS, Armenians have resided in Asia Minor and the Caucasus for approximately four millennia, and have a long and rich history in the region, including the establishment of many kingdoms, and despite Armenians 1 historic presence, stewardship, and autonomy in the region, Turkish rulers of the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Turkey subjected Armenians to severe and unjust persecution and brutality, including wholesale massacres beginning in the 1890s; and

WHEREAS, The Armenian Nation was subjected to a systematic and premeditated Genocide officially beginning on April 24, 1915, at the hands of the Young Turk Government of the Ottoman Empire from 1915-1919 and continued at the hands of the Kemalist Movement of Turkey from 1920-1923 whereby over 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were slaughtered or marched to their deaths in an effort to annihilate the Armenian Nation in the First Genocide of modern times, while thousands of surviving Armenian women and children were forcibly converted and lslamized, and hundreds of thousands more were subjected to ethnic cleansing during the period of the modern Republic of Turkey from 1924-1937; and

WHEREAS, During the genocide of the Christians living in the Ottoman Empire and surrounding regions which occurred during the first half of the Twentieth Century, 1.5 million men, women, and children of Armenian descent, and hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, Greeks and other Christians, lost their lives at the hands of the Ottoman Turkish Empire and the Republic of Turkey, constituting one of the most atrocious violations of human rights in the history of the world; and

WHEREAS, Near East Relief succeeded, with the active participation of the citizens from the City of Long Branch, in delivering $117 million of assistance, and saving more than one million refugees, including 132,000 orphans, between 1915 and 1930, by delivering  food,  clothing, and materials for shelter, setting up refugee camps, clinics, hospitals, and orphanages; and

WHEREAS, The United States is on record as having officially recognized the Armenian Genocide in the United States government’s May 28, 1951, written statement to the International Court of Justice regarding the Reservations to the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, through President Ronald Reagan’s April 22, 1981, Proclamation No. 4838, and by Congressional legislation including House Joint Resolution 148 adopted on April 8, 1975, and House Joint Resolution 247 adopted on September  10,  1984;  and

WHEREAS, Adolph Hitler, in persuading his army commanders that the merciless persecution and killing of Jews, Poles, and other people would bring no retribution, declared, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”;   and

WHEREAS, Unlike other people and governments that have admitted and denounced the abuses and crimes of predecessor regimes, and despite the Turkish governments’ earlier admissions and the overwhelming proof of genocidal intent, the Republic of Turkey inexplicably and adamantly has denied the occurrence of the crimes against humanity committed by the Ottoman and Young Turk rulers for many years, and continues to do so a full century since the first crimes constituting genocide occurred; and

WHEREAS, This measure would declare that the Long Branch City Council deplores the persistent, ongoing efforts by any person, in this country or abroad, to deny the historical fact   of the Armenian Genocide; and

WHEREAS, The failure of the international community to hold responsible nations accountable for crimes against humanity results in travesty of justice, and sets a negative precedent; and

WHEREAS, April 24, 1915 is globally observed recognized as the commencement of the Armenian Genocide and April 24, 2015 will mark the centennial anniversary since the commencement of the Armenian Genocide.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Long Branch City Council that it hereby designates the year of 2015, as “City of Long Branch Year of Commemoration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923” and in doing so, will ensure that the Armenian Genocide is properly commemorated and taught to its citizens and visitors through city-wide educational and cultural events.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Long Branch City Council that it hereby designates April 24 of 2015, and every year thereafter, as “City of Long Branch Day of Commemoration of the Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923” to ensure  that  the  Armenian  Genocide will always be properly commemorated.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Long Branch City Council commends  its conscientious educators who teach about human rights and genocide, and calls upon them to continue to enhance their efforts to educate students at all levels about the experience of the Armenians  and other  crimes against  humanity.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Long Branch City Council urges the Republic of Turkey to acknowledge the facts of the Armenian Genocide and to work toward a just  resolution, to honor its obligations under international treaties  and human  rights  laws, to  end all forms of religious discrimination and persecution, to return Christian church  properties to their rightful owners, and to allow the owners and congregants of all churches to conduct their religious activities unhindered, including but not limited to: prayer services and religious observances, education and training, community gatherings and social services.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Long Branch City Council respectfully calls upon the Congress and the President of the United States to act likewise and to formally and consistently reaffirm the historical truth that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people constituted genocide.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the City of Long Branch transmit copies of this resolution to St. Stepanos Armenian Church and the Armenian National Committee of America.