WASHINGTON, DC — Montana today became the 32nd U.S. state to recognize the Armenian Genocide, joining with the Armenian American community and all people of good conscience in honoring the victims of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Republican Governor Judy Martz, in a letter of recognition sent to the ANCA, stated that she was “pleased to recognize your achievements to bring awareness and recognition to the one and one-half million Christian Armenian men, women and children who were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923.” She went on to explain that recognition of the 89th anniversary of the genocide is “crucial to guarding against repetition of future genocides.”
Montana joins 31 states that have already recognized the Armenian Genocide through Governor proclamations or adoption of State resolutions, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Commenting on Gov. Martz’ statement, Montana resident and lifelong ANC activist Yedvart Tchakerian stated “I am proud of Gov. Martz’ principled stand recognizing the Armenian Genocide and joining with our community in this solemn remembrance. I can only hope that our legislators in Washington will take similar action through passage of the Genocide Resolution in the House and Senate.”
Armenian American activist Bob Semonian, a long-time friend of the Montana Governor, played a key role in bringing this matter to her attention.
The complete text of the letter of recognition is provided below.
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TEXT OF MONTANA GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT
April 2004
On behalf of citizens of the State of Montana, I am pleased to recognize your achievements to bring awareness and recognition to the one and one-half million Christian Armenian men, women and children who were victims of the brutal genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Turkish Government from 1915 to 1923.
The Armenian genocide and massacres of Armenian people have been recognized as an attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving and noble civilization over 3,000 years old. Recognition of the eighty-ninth anniversary of this genocide is crucial to guarding against the repetition of future genocide and educating people about the atrocities connected to these horrific events.
I urge recognition of their plight on April 24th, 2004, which is nationally recognized as a Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.
Sincerely
[signed]
JUDY MARTZ
Governor
