BILL ANALYSIS
SJR 26
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Date of Hearing: April 12, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES
Nancy Skinner, Chair
SJR 26 (Simitian and Liu) - As Introduced: March 23, 2010
SENATE VOTE : 34-0
SUBJECT : Armenian Genocide: Day of Remembrance
SUMMARY : Designates April 24, 2010, as "California Day of
Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923" and
memorializes the Congress and the President of the United States
to act likewise to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative
findings:
1)California is home to the largest population of Armenians in
the U.S., and by consistently remembering and condemning the
atrocities committed against the Armenians, California
residents demonstrate their sensitivity to a need for constant
vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future.
2)Recognition of the ninety-fifth anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide is crucial to preventing the repetition of future
genocides and educating people about the atrocities connected
to these tragic events; and it is also appropriate to
remember, honor, and thank those ethnic Turks and Kurds who
risked their lives to lend aid, comfort, and assistance to
ethnic Armenians seeking to escape the genocide.
EXISTING LAW : Designates April 24 of various years as the
"California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of
1915-1923." [AJR 14 (Krekorian), Resolution Chapter 105,
Statutes of 2009; SJR 24 (Simitian), Resolution Chapter 25,
Statutes of 2008; AJR 15 (Krekorian), Resolution Chapter 27,
Statutes of 2007; AJR 42 (Aghazarian), Resolution Chapter 47,
Statutes of 2006; SJR 2 (Speier), Resolution Chapter 22,
Statutes of 2005; AJR 73 (Simitian), Resolution Chapter 162,
Statutes of 2004; SJR 1 (Poochigian), Resolution Chapter 18,
Statutes of 2003; AJR 44 (Simitian), Resolution Chapter 39,
Statutes of 2002; SJR 5 (Poochigian), Resolution Chapter 31,
Statutes of 2001; SCR 62 (Poochigian), Resolution Chapter 60,
Statutes of 2000; ACR 20 (Kaloogian), Resolution Chapter 21,
Statutes of 1999; ACR 138 (Poochigian), Resolution Chapter 29,
SJR 26
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Statutes of 1998; ACR 51 (Kaloogian), Resolution Chapter 36,
Statutes of 1997].
FISCAL EFFECT : None
COMMENTS : According to the author, this resolution is intended
as a reminder of the atrocities of genocide and to guard against
the repetition of this crime.
Opponents have expressed concern that the resolution presents a
biased and untrue view of the conflict between the Turks and
Armenians and continues to fuel racial animosity. Further,
opponents claim the resolution unconstitutionally contradicts
the President's position against legislative enactments that
define and employ the term "Armenian genocide".
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None on file.
Opposition
Turkish American Legal Defense Fund
Turkish Peace and Justice Committee, California
Analysis Prepared by : Anna McCabe / RLS. / (916) 319-2800