GLENDALE, CA – Jamestown, North Dakota added its name to the growing number of cities, counties and municipalities to have issued a proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915-1923, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

The statement issued by Mayor Charles Kourajian cites the extermination of “more than 1,500,000 Christian Armenians by the Ottoman Turks and the forced deportations of countless others,” and goes on to note that “the continued denial of the Armenian Genocide by modern Turkey defiles the memory of the forefathers of living Armenians.” The proclamation concludes by urging the “citizenry of Jamestown to join in the solemn remembrance” of the 89th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The complete text of the resolution follows.

“We want to thank the mayor, government and people of Jamestown for joining this April 24th with all those around the world who are commemorating the Armenian Genocide, and recommitting themselves to working toward a future without genocide,” said ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. “Mayor Kourajian’s proclamation, the recent recognition of Armenian Genocide by the Governor of Montana, and the increased community advocacy we are seeing throughout the Northern Plains and Mountain states all point to the growing pressure on Congress to pass the Genocide Resolution and on the White House to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.”

Jamestown, ND, with a population of about 16,000, is the seventh largest city in North Dakota. Mr. Kourajian, whose family fled their ancestral home as a result of the Genocide in 1919, has served as Mayor for the past seven years.

City of Jamestown, North Dakota

Proclamation

Whereas the extermination from 1915-1923 of more than 1,500,00 Christian Armenians by the Ottoman Turks and the forced deportations of countless others represents the first case of genocide of the 20th century;

Whereas during the Genocide, Armenians were forced to witness the slaughter of their relatives and the loss of their ancestral homeland and property; and

Whereas the continued denial of the Armenian Genocide by modern Turkey defiles the memory of the forefathers of living Armenians; and

Whereas it is fitting for all Jamestown residents of good will to join with Armenian Americans in their collective remembrance and desire to ensure that similar crimes against humanity are prevented in the future;

Now, be it resolved that, I Charles Kourajian, Major of the City of Jamestown, North Dakota, do hereby commemorate this 89th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2004, and urge the citizenry of Jamestown to join in this solemn remembrance.

Charles Kourajian
Mayor of Jamestown, North Dakota