HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-06-2010 - 4k ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 0, 2010
Action Agenda
Item No.
SUBJECT: Resolution to Foster Genocide Remembrance
DEPARTMENT: Housing/Community Dev. PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENTS):
Proclamation INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tara L. F i kes, 245-2490
PURPOSE: To recognize and remember the millions who have perished through acts of
genocide.
BACKGROUND: Throughout the 20th century and into this century, countries have perpetrated
genocide or mass killing for hateful reasons. There have been numerous atrocities against
humankind throughout history, horrible cases of genocide directed against innocent people
10-20 million black Africans who died during the 200 years of the international slave trade; the
decimation of nearly 12 million Native American Indians in North America between 1000 and
1850; Joseph Stalin's forced relocation and murder of millions of Soviet citizens; and the more
recent, so-called ethnic cleansings in Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur.
The first genocide of the 20th century occurred when two million Armenians living in Turkey
g ry g Y
were, through forced deportation and massacres, eliminated from their homeland. The
government order to exterminate the Armenian people on April 24, 1915 led to more than 1.5
million Armenians -- 75% of the population - being killed. In remembrance of this massacre,
April 24th has been designated Armenian Martyrs Day.
The Armenian genocide spawned other governmental efforts to exterminate populations
throughout the 20th century. The most far-reaching was promulgated by Nazi Germany under
Adolph Hitler. On August 22, 1939, Hitler gave the following instructions to his Army
commanders:
"Thus for the time being I have sent to the East my `Death's Head Units' with the orders
to kill without pity or mercy all men, women, and children of Polish race or language.
Only in such a way will we win the vital space that we need. Who still talks nowadays
about the Armenians?"
After the initial massacre of the Polish people, the Nazis moved on to acts of genocide against
other groups, most notably Jews. In addition to the 5 million Jews who were exterminated in the
Nazi Holocaust, an estimated 5.5 million "enemies of the German State" were murdered under
equally inhumane circumstances — people known or suspected of being gay/lesbian; leftists;
Jehovah's Witnesses, Gypsies, and other non-Aryans. In recognition of the atrocities
committed by Nazi Germany, April 11, 2010 is designated as Holocaust Remembrance Day.
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Since the Armenian Genocide began the modern history of ethnic cleansing, an alarming
number of genocides have taken place around the world. Below is a brief list of examples:
➢ 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
➢ Nazi Holocaust: 1938 — 1945 — 6,000,000 Jewish deaths and 5.5 million other hate-
related deaths
➢ Pol Pot Cambodia: 1975-1979 -- 1.7 million deaths
➢ Rwanda: 1994 — 800,000 Tutsis deaths
➢ Bosnia-Herzegovina: 1992-1995 — 200,000 Muslim deaths
➢ Darfur, Sudan: 2003-present— 200,000+ deaths
In recognition and remembrance of all people who have perished to further agendas of hate
and intolerance, the Grange County Human Relations Commission calls upon the Grange
County Board of County Commissioners to support a Proclamation to Foster Genocide
Remembrance, and encourage Grange County residents to reflect upon all acts of genocide
and intolerance.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None.
RECOMMENDATION (5): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the resolution
and authorize the Chair to sign.
RES - 0
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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 he 10-20
g
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 April 24th as Genocide Remembrance Da y in
recognition of the government-ordered deaths of 1.5 million Armenians in 1915; and
WHEREAS, April 11, 2010 is recognized as Holocaust Remembrance Da in honor of the
Day,
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, WE, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners, do herby
adopt this Resolution to Foster- Genocide Remembrance, and encourage Orange County
residents to reflect upon all acts of genocide and intolerance.
THIS THE 6th DAY OF APRIL, 2010.
Valerie P. Foushee, Chair
Orange County Board of County Commissioners