HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-17-2001-5aORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 17, 2001
Action Agenda
Item No. Jr -q
SUBJECT: Proclamation for Armenian Martyrs Darr, April 24, 2001 _
DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT(S):
• Proclamation
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Annette M. Moore, ext 2254
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 9fi8-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To recognize and celebrate Armenian Martyrs Day.
BACKGROUND: Armenians have traditionally designated April 24~' as ARMENIAN MARTYRS
DAY, in recognition and remembrance of those who died during the Armenian genocide
between 1915-1923. Traditionally the Orange County Human Relations Commission has
historically called upon the Board of County Commissioners to official proclaim April 24`~ as
ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY and does so again this year.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NONE
RECOMMENDATION: The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the proposed
resolution and authorize the Chair to sign it.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
A PROCLAMATION
for
ARMENIAN MARTYRS DAY
WHEREAS, between 1915-1923, the extermination of more than one and one=half million
Armenians and the deportation of countless other Armenians took place by the Ottoman
Turks; and
WHEREAS, during this atrocity, Armenians were forced to witness the slaughter of their
relatives and the loss of their ancestral homelands; and
WHEREAS, Armenians assert that the government of modem-day Turkey refuses to
recognize the facts of genocide; and
WHEREAS, the denial of the Armenian genocide by the present day Turkish government
serves to taint the history and disavows Armenians of the right to their homelands and
heritage; and
WHEREAS, ancestral Armenian lands taken by the Ottoman Turks have not been returned
to the Armenian people, nor have the Armenians received compensation for their losses; and
WHEREAS, Armenians traditionally designated Apri124~` as ARMENIAN MARTYRS
DAY, in recognition and remembrance of those who died during the Armenian genocide; and
WHEREAS, it is important to remember history so that mistakes of the past aze not repeated
for future generations;
NOW,. THEREFORE, do we, the Commissioners of Orange County, proclaim Apri124~',
2001 as Armenian Martyrs Day and commend this observance to all Orange Caunty citizens.
THIS THE 17'~ DAY OF APRIL, 2001.
Stephen H. Halkiotis, Chair
Board Of County Commissioners