BILL ANALYSIS
SJR 26
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
SJR 26 (Simitian and Liu)
As Amended April 8, 2010
Majority vote
RULES 9-0
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|Ayes:|Skinner, Gaines, Adams, | | |
| |Caballero, Lieu, Mendoza, | | |
| |Saldana, Silva, Davis | | |
| | | | |
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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
United States., 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
SJR 26
Page 2
(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, 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".
Analysis Prepared by : Anna McCabe / RLS. / (916) 319-2800FN:
0003859