Rep. Kazarian and Legislature Honor the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

On Wednesday in the House and Senate chambers, Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence), a fourth-generation Armenian-American, joined the House of Representatives and the Senate in honoring the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and introducing a resolution, 2015-H 6053, urging President Obama and Congress to officially recognize the genocide.

The resolution was previously unveiled at a ceremony in the State House State Room earlier in the afternoon. Joined by Speaker Nicholas A. Mattiello (D-Dist. 15, Cranston), Governor Gina M. Raimondo, Lt. Governor Daniel McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, Rep. Kazarian spoke to the importance of remembering and acknowledging the genocide that took place 100 years ago.

“The only thing worse than trying to eliminate an entire generation and culture is to deny that such a genocide ever took place,” said Rep. Kazarian. “For the past 100 years, the government of Turkey has continually refused to acknowledge their part in the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian people. This gross denial of responsibility is why we are all here today and why all of us will be here next year, and the following years after that, until the events perpetrated 100 years ago on the Armenian people are recognized for what they were, genocide,” added Rep. Kazarian.

According to the Armenian National Institute in Washington D.C., the genocide resulted in the death of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. It is estimated that close to 2 million Armenians were living in the Ottoman Empire just prior to World War I when the Turkish government subjected its Armenian population to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and starvation.

Joining Rep. Kazarian on the House floor was Ani Haroian, Stephen Elmasian, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Judge Haiganoush Bedrosian, the Honorable Aram Garabedian, Der Shnork Souin, Der Gomidas, Hagop Donoyan, Nerses Donoyan, Salpi Donoyan, Anahid Donoyan, and Talene Donoyan.

“I am always touched and honored by the outpouring of support this event has every year,” added Rep. Kazarian. “The Armenian Genocide is a moment in time that cannot be forgotten and with your continued encouragement and recognition; I know that one day, the Armenian people and the horrific acts committed upon them will finally achieve the proper respect and acknowledgement that they deserve in history.”

The State House dome will be lit with a ring of red, blue and orange lights to commemorate the anniversary on April 17 through April 24, culminating with the Armenian flag being flown over the State House on April 24.

Photo: Members of Rhode Island’s Armenian-American community join with Rep. Katherine Kazarian and Speaker Nick Mattiello, at center, under the Armenian flag displayed in the House chamber on April 30, 2014, as part of the commemoration of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Rep. Kazarian, a fourth generation Armenian-American, introduced a House resolution to recall the history of the tragic events. (State House Photo)