0395: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE - S.B. 395: COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 395 (as introduced 4-19-01)

Date Completed: 4-19-01

CONTENT

The bill would create a new act to declare April 24 of each year as the Michigan Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923, and to designate the period beginning on the Sunday before that day through the following Sunday as the Days of Remembrance in this State, in memory of the victims of the genocide, and in honor of the survivors.

The bill also would encourage the public schools of the State to develop educational programs similar to those already established in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York that focus on human rights, with specific attention given to the Armenian genocide.

The bill contains the following statements:

The legislature recognizes that 1,500,000 men, women, and children of Armenian descent--more than 1/2 of the Armenian population at the time--were victims of a brutal genocide perpetrated by the Turkish Ottoman Empire from 1915-1923. The Armenian genocide represented a deliberate attempt to eliminate all traces of a thriving noble civilization over 3,000 years old.

Recognition of the anniversary of this genocide and open condemnation of these crimes against an entire people are crucial to ensure against the repetition of similar future atrocities committed against any culture of people.

Armenians all over the world commemorate this great tragedy on April 24, because it was on that day in 1915 when 300 Armenian leaders, writers, thinkers, and professionals in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul) were rounded-up, deported, and killed. Also on that day, 5,000 of the poorest Armenians were butchered in the streets and in their homes.

- Legislative Analyst: S. Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanS0102\s395sa

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.