P1 1WHEREAS, The Armenian General Athletic Union and Scouts,
2referred to as Homenetmen, is a nonprofit organization with 30,000
3members in five continents. Homenetmen was founded in 1918,
4and currently has 18 chapters with over 7,000 members in the
5Western Region of the United States; and
6WHEREAS, It is Homenetmen’s mission to prepare exemplary
7and law abiding citizens by providing physical and health
8education, endowing the mind and soul with the finest spirit of
9sportsmanship, and developing and understanding responsibility
10and honor; and
11WHEREAS, Since the first chapter in the United States was
12established in Los Angeles in 1968, Homenetmen has provided
13Armenian American youth with moral, physical, and social
14education and has exposed the youth to the Armenian culture and
15heritage. The Homenetmen experience is one of lasting association,
16altruism, and benevolence, and Homenetmen’s motto, “Elevate
17yourself and others with you,” is a constant reminder of the
18fundamental objective of this organization; and
19WHEREAS, Homenetmen in the Western United States has
20over 3,200 athletic members who compete in local league
21competitions as well as major regional athletic programs. These
22programs are organized and implemented with the help of many
23selfless parent volunteers who help put programs together for
P2 1basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, tennis, swimming,
2gymnastics, chess, karate, and table tennis; and
3WHEREAS, The Homenetmen athletic program eschews the
4spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and teamwork, while it instills
5a strong sense of individual identity; and
6WHEREAS, The Homenetmen scouting program provides the
7Armenian American youth with moral, physical, and social
8education, exposes scouts to the wealth and treasure of the
9Armenian culture and heritage, and strives to prepare outstanding
10law abiding Armenian American citizens; and
11WHEREAS, Among the most prestigious medals that any
12Homenetmen scout is able to earn is the St. Mesrob emblem.
13Introduced in conjunction with the Western Prelacy of the
14Armenian Apostolic Church and the Boy Scouts of America, this
15emblem honors the fifth century inventor of the Armenian alphabet,
16Mesrop Mashtots; and
17WHEREAS, The annual Navasartian Games, Homenetmen’s
18largest athletic event, comprise numerous sports, including
19basketball, volleyball, soccer, ping-pong, track and field,
20swimming, chess, and softball; now, therefore, be it
21Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
22Assembly recognizes the significance of youth sports and the
23Navasartian Games’ impact on Armenian American youth living
24in California and throughout the United States; and be it further
25Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
26of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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