Glendale City Council Adopts Genocide Resolution
October 17, 2007

Glendale, CA - Community members filled the Glendale City Council Chambers Tuesday evening to show support for a resolution, which urges the U.S. House of Representatives to adopt H. Res 106, the Armenian Genocide Bill. The symbolic resolution, proposed by the Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter was unanimously approved by the Glendale City Council.

During the meeting family members of survivors, representatives from various community organizations, such as the Armenian National Committee-Glendale Chapter and the Armenian Youth federation, and community members expressed their deep gratitude to the Council for their past support on issues concerning the Armenian Genocide, noted the importance of acknowledging the Armenian massacres as Genocide and urged them to adopt the resolution.

Chairman of ANC-Glendale Chapter, Artin Manoukian noted that “by passing this resolution, we ensure that other victims of Genocide do not have to suffer the indignation that the Armenians have suffered as a result of Turkey’s ongoing denial and America’s tacit support of these policies.,” while community activist Herbert Milano stated “if we wait, its never going to be the right time. So we have a special opportunity today to encourage our congress to move forward because these types of atrocities should never occur again.” 

Prior to the vote Council members took a moment to convey their stance on the resolution. Mayor Najarian urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to bring the U.S. resolution to a full vote of the House, while Councilmember John Drayman stated that “the United States has denied its ethnic Armenian immigrants the same sense of support and justice that Jews feel in relation the Holocaust.”

After the vote was cast, Mr. Ghazaros Kademian, a Genocide Survivor, accepted the proclamation on behalf of ANC-Glendale Chapter.

“With 40% of Glendale’s population being composed of Armenian-Americans, it was a crucial and necessary step for this council to show its support to its largest ethnic constituencies,” stated ANC-Glendale Chapter, Executive Director, Elen Asatryan. “ We would like to thank Mayor Najarian, City Councilmembers, and community members who were present for partaking in this special meeting and supporting the resolution,” added Asatryan

The resolution will be delivered to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Adam Schiff.
The Armenian National Committee - Glendale Chapter advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the city's Armenian American community and promotes increased civic participation and awareness at the grassroots and public policy levels. It is the voice of this vibrant community, which seeks to advance and enrich Glendale.

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