HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2008-032 Resolution to Foster Genocide RememberanceTHE ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION
TO FOSTER
GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE
WHEREAS, throughout history genocide has been a tragic part of humanity's existence; and
WHEREAS It is important to acknowledge that we are all partners in justice with a shared legacy
of intolerance; and
WHEREAS, Americans have contributed to historical acts of genocide, including the 10-20
million black Africans who died during the 200 years of the international slave trade, and the
decimation of nearly 12 million Native American Indians in North America between 1600 and
1850; and
WHEREAS, the country of Armenia recognizes Apri124 as Genocide Remembrance Day in
recognition of the government-ordered deaths of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915; and
WHEREAS, May 2°d 2008 is recognized as Holocaust Remembrance Day, in honor of the victims
of Nazi genocide, including more than 6 million Jews and approximately 5.5 million other targeted
groups including Gypsies, Poles, gays and lesbians, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others; and
WHEREAS, other major acts of genocide have taken place during the past century, including but
not limited to Stalin's Forced famine: (1932 -1933: 7,000,000 Ukrainian deaths); Rape of
Nanking (1937 -1938: 300,000 Chinese deaths and more than 20,000 rapes); Pol Pot Cambodia
(1975-1979: 1.7 million deaths); Rwanda (1994; 800,000 Tutsis deaths); Bosnia-Herzegovina
(1992-1995: 200,000 Muslim deaths); and most recently Darfur, Sudan (2003-present; 200,000
deaths); and
WHEREAS, it is important to remember history so that mistakes of the past are not repeated for
future generations; and
WHEREAS, Orange County finds it equally important to remember the atrocities committed
against all peoples in the name of religious, racial and ethnic cleansing so that we may recognize
the inevitable outcomes of our daily intolerance;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we, the Commissioners of Orange County, pass this Resolution to
Foster Genocide Remembrance, and encourage Orange County residents to reflect upon all acts of
genocide and intolerance.
THIS THE ls` DAY OF MAY, 2008.
• - ~ Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners