BILL ANALYSIS �
SJR 23
Page 1
SENATE THIRD READING
SJR 23 (Simitian)
As Introduced March 26, 2012
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE :38-0
RULES 10-0
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|Ayes:|Skinner, Silva, Alejo, | | |
| |Butler, Carter, Donnelly, | | |
| |Hagman, Hueso, Knight, | | |
| |Williams | | |
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SUMMARY : Designates April 24, 2012, 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 97th 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 7 (Charles Calderon, et al.), Resolution
Chapter 36, Statutes of 2011; SJR 26 (Simitian and Liu),
Resolution Chapter 8, Statues of 2010, AJR 14 (Krekorian),
Resolution Chapter 105, Statutes of 2009; SJR 24 (Simitian),
SJR 23
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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 (Poochigain),
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 violates
the international treaty, also known as the "Genocide Treaty"
created in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly and
ratified in 1988 by the United States. The opponents believe
that because there has been no judgment by the international
court on the Armenian issue; California lawmakers have no right
to call the 1914 Armenian uprising a genocide.
Analysis Prepared by : Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800
FN: 0003488