Wilmington, DE- On August 23, 2007, the City Council of Wilmington, Delaware voted unanimously to call on Delaware Congressional Representative Michael Castle (D-DE) to support the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, reported the Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).

Introduced by Councilman Samuel Prado, representing the City of Wilmington’s fifth district, the powerfully worded resolution was presented and voted upon with no debate. The resolution, which cites the history of the Armenian Genocide and urges cosponsorship of H. Res. 106, also urges the “Turkish Government to accept responsibility for this tragic event in world history.”

“We commend Councilman Prado for working within the State of Delaware to urge Representative Castle to sign on to H. Res. 106,” stated ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Karine Birazian. “The Armenian Community of Delaware, and Armenians throughout the nation welcomes this initiative and hope that the action taken in Wilmington will build on the already majority support for the initiative.”

Prado also issued a proclamation honoring the ANCA for fostering public awareness for Armenian Genocide recognition and its work in support of self-determination for the people of Nagorno Karabagh. Birazian accepted in the proclamation on behalf of the ANCA, along with ANC of PA Chairman, Dr. Ara Chalian, and ANC Delaware activist Mike Kalajian. Each spoke before the overflow crowd of over 250 community citizens in attendance about the history of the Armenian Genocide, and urged Delaware Congressman Mike Castle to sign on the resolution.

In a strong and moving statement read at the City Council meeting, Kalajian stated, “here we are now, 92 years and 10,000 miles away, living in the relative safety of the state of Delaware in this great country America. Why should we care what happened nearly a century ago and so far away? Because apathy bears acceptance, and we cannot condone a horror such as this… We can not, and will not, accept that any government has the right to exterminate any segment of its innocent citizenry for any reason, not for the color of their skin, not for their religious or political beliefs, and not for their race.” Kalajian was instrumental earlier this year in working with State Representative John A. Kowalko (D-25) who introduced a resolution in the Delaware General Assembly in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The resolution was adopted by voice vote with no opposition on April 5th, 2007.

Prado, son of Jesus Prado, and a lifelong resident of the City of Wilmington was elected to represent the Wilmington’s 5th District in 1984. Samuel was previously employed by the AIG Life Insurance company in the area of customer service. He attended Salesianum Catholic High School. He is a 1999 graduate of the University of Delaware and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Following passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution, Prado explained his reasons for introducing the legislation, stating:

“As someone who has studied history, I came across the subject of the Armenian Genocide in reading about World War I. I found this event to be not only tragic but also very telling about the evil that fellow man can inflict on others. What I found particularly appalling however is the present-day government of Turkey continued denial of genocide and the political motivations behind it. I am saddened that the United States will not admit that Turkey did this for fear of upsetting its political alliance with the Turkish State. The reality is that Turkey needs to own up to what it did the Armenians. And just as Germany had to pay reparations to the Jews, Turkey in the end, will have to do the same for the Armenians.”

“Whether that is through financial compensation or returning land that was violently taken from Armenia, Turkey will have to do either in order to rectify this historical injustice. I find it equally appalling the Turkey maintains a blockade on Armenia and continues to mistreat the small surviving Armenian community in Anatolia. This also applies to its treatment of the Greeks and Assyrians. People in the United States need to realize that this so-called ally of the US has committed atrocities against its Christian inhabitants and ironically, anti-US sentiment in Turkey is higher than in Iran and many other Muslim countries. Even though I’m just a City Councilman, I will do my part to getting the word out about this evil event with the hope that it will never happen again. I sincerely hope that Rep. Mike Castle does the right thing and votes for House Resolution 106 to recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

Later that evening, ANC of PA Chairman, Dr. Chalian was interviewed live on Horizon Armenian Television and shared with the viewers what had happened that evening: “Working with city councils is an innovative way to urge members of Congress to take action on the Armenian Genocide Resolution,” commented Chalian. “We are so grateful for Councilman Prado’s initiative on this matter.”

The texts of both the Armenian Genocide resolution and the ANCA proclamation follow.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

City of Wilmington
August 23, 2007

WHEREAS, 1,500,000 men, women, and children of Armenian descent were victims of the genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey) in 1915 and thereafter; and

WHEREAS, , the killing of the Armenian people was accomplished by the Turkish authorities’ systematic destruction of churches, schools, libraries, treasures of art, and cultural monuments in an attempt to eliminate all traces of a noble civilization with a history of more than 3,000 years; and

WHEREAS, the United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., stated, “Whatever crimes the most perverted instincts of the human mind can devise, and whatever refinement of persecutions and injustice the most debased imagination can conceive, became the daily misfortunes of these ‘devoted people.”; and

WHEREAS, , Turkey continues to deny the Armenian genocide and has made it a crime to discuss the issue in that country and continues to lobby against any recognition of the atrocities committed against its indigenous Armenian population; and

WHEREAS, , the Armenian genocide has been acknowledged by other countries and international bodies; and

WHEREAS, , it is essential to raise awareness about this undeniable chapter of world history, as this will further our understanding of the need to eliminate hatred from our own communities; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON, that the City Council requests the Delaware Congressional delegation to support House Resolution 106 which recognizes the Armenian Genocide happened in the country of Turkey and urges the Turkish Government to accept responsibility for this tragic event in world history.

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City of Wilmington
Delaware
City Council
April 23, 2007

Sponsor: Council Member Samuel Prado

WHEREAS, , the City Council of Wilmington, Delaware is appreciative of organizations and individuals who foster public awareness in support of freedom and unity; and

WHEREAS, , the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), A dynamic and influential Armenian America grassroots political organization, further educates Americans about important Armenian issues such as the struggle to protect the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabagh, the protection of the surviving Armenians still residing in Turkey, Turkey’s economic blockade of Armenia, and the continued denial of the Armenian genocide; and

WHEREAS, , millions of Christian Armenians were systematically massacred, while their relatives were forced to witness the slaughter and the loss of their ancestral homeland and property, and the forced deportations of countless others, representing the first case of genocide of the 20th century; and

WHEREAS, , the Citizen of Wilmington join with Armenian Americans in collective remembrance and desire to ensure that similar crimes against humanity and prevented in the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILMINGTON, the Council recognizes the great work of the Armenian National Committee of America in promoting a prosperous and a free Armenia, their work on behalf of Armenian American issues, and most importantly, for their continued struggle to have the Armenian Genocide recognized by the Turkish Republic.

Photo Caption:
Photo 1: ANC of Delaware activist Mike Kalajian speaking at the City Council meeting

Photo 2: Left to Right: ANC of Delaware activist Mike Kalajian, ANC of PA activist Sevag Shirozian, Councilman Samuel Prado, ANCA ER Director Karine Birazian, ANC of PA Chairman Dr. Ara Chalian, and Delaware constituent Harry Tashjian IV