Paul Krekorians resolution on Armenian Genocide was unanimously passed in CA

PanARMENIAN.Net - Sacramento's (California, USA) Assistant Majority Leader Paul Krekorian's resolution to commemorate the 94th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide was unanimously passed by the Assembly today. The measure sailed through with broad, bipartisan support and featured impassioned pleas from multiple members of the Assembly, from both parties, who voted for the measure, Asbarez reports.



"Today, we stood up for truth and justice; not just in memory of the Armenian Genocide, but for all modern-day horrors that have blackened this earth since 1915," Assemblyman Paul Krekorian said. "This resolution gives all of us an opportunity to re-commit ourselves to building a society free of bigotry and inhumanity. And if we can do that, we will be able to say at long last, truthfully and finally, never again.'"



AJR 14 will designate April 24, 2009, as a "California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923." Preceding the 73-0 vote, a number of Democratic and Republican speakers called on the Assembly to pass the resolution, noting that supporting AJR 14 was less a vote for Armenian Genocide remembrance than a call for justice everywhere.



Before that, the Very Reverend Father Baret Yeretzian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America read the morning's prayer and a trio of musicians called "The Winds of Passion" played two stirring songs in tribute to the memory of 1.5 million Armenians who perished from 1915-23.



Krekorian is also the author of the Justice for Genocide Victims Act, AB 961, which would require California companies to certify that they do not hold wrongfully obtained assets from a modern-day genocide victim and bars companies from doing business with California if they

cannot submit that certification.