Western Diocese

Sacramento, CA – On Monday April 9^th, 2007 His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, offered the opening prayer for the California State Assembly. The Primate was in Sacramento as part of a delegation that traveled to the state capitol to support the passage of Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR 15), which declares April 24^th, 2007 an Official Day of Remembrance in California. Accompanying the Primate were the Very Rev. Fr. Baret Yeretzian, Fr. Asoghig Jamgotchian, Dn. Rod Jorjorian, Ara Aghishian, Tony Truisi, Edwin Minassian, Vahe Ashjian, and Daniel Aydinian as well as members of the Sacramento Armenian-American community. Also part of the delegation was the Consul General of the Republic of Armenia to Los Angeles, Mr. Armen Liloyan.

In his prayer the Primate called upon the Lord to “bless the State Assembly of California, the Governor, the members of the Assembly for their dedicated service and sense of responsibility. Grant them all wisdom and perseverance to continue the observances of April 24 as a ‘Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide’.”

During the assembly session the co-authors of AJR 15, Assemblymembers Paul Krekorian and Greg Aghazarian, presented the legislation. They emphasized that, while resolutions have been adopted in the past to designate April 24^th as a Day of Remembrance, this resolution goes further by expressing that the Congress and President should appropriately recognize the Genocide, demanding the Republic of Turkey acknowledge the Genocide and condemning them for their current abuses of human rights. Specific reference was made to the assassination of Hrant Dink. After being put to a vote the resolution was accepted on the assembly floor. The resolution was principally co-authored by Senators Jack Scott and Joe Simitian, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and Assemblymembers Charles Calderon, Kevin De Leon, Mark Leno, Fiona Ma, and Anthony Portantino.

Following the vote a special commemoration ceremony was held in the Assembly chamber. At the conclusion of the session a reception was held, which was hosted by the Armenian Caucus of the State Legislature, during which many members of the delegation, as well as members from the Armenian American community were able to meet with legislators and legislative staff.

The Primate's Prayer

On the occasion of the Commemoration the Armenian Genocide at the Assembly of the State of California April 9, 2007

Almighty God,

Gathered today at the Assembly of the State of California we remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and give thanks with a heart full of gratitude to all those who observe April 24 as a day of remembrance.

Amongst the many prominent leaders, Honorable Mr. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of the State of California has been a strong advocate of historical truths. In his proclamation dated 15th of April 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger declared April 24 a “Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide” perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire.

Our Faith in God obliges us all to be true towards historical facts. As sons and daughters of the Genocide survivors, we uphold firm our respect not only for the lives of the victims who perished in 1915, but above all for the victims of all Genocides since the first Genocide of the 20th century.

Today, we pledge our allegiance for the well-being of the United States of America, where democracy and freedom continues to be the most cherished values of this great nation.

Almighty God, bless the State Assembly of California, the Governor, the members of the Assembly for their dedicated service and sense of responsibility. Grant them all wisdom and perseverance to continue the observance of April 24 as a “Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide”.

Today, citizens of the United States of Armenian decent praise God for the gifts of this wonderful nation. Today, on this day of commemoration, we also remember the departed souls of the brave men and woman of the United States Army who have fallen in defense of this nation.

Today, American Armenians throughout this country look highly upon you and are filled with pride and gratitude for your vision and honorable stance in recognition of the truth.

Today, as the official representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church of North America, Western Diocese which includes California, we give thanks to God for your leadership as you work towards building a stronger America which stands firm to protect those who are deprived of justice.