State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, released a statement in honor of the 106th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.

On the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Senator Wilk released the following statement enhancing the importance of reflection on the historical day where an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were murdered.

“Today’s annual commemoration of the Armenian Genocide honors the 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children who were senselessly massacred,” Wilk said. “The Golden State, with the largest Armenian diaspora in the world, stands against the regime in Turkey and condemns these atrocities. “

Wilk highlighted that Turkey’s “sordid history” includes genocide to not only Armenians but also against Assyrians and Greeks.

“Until this is acknowledged by the Turkish government, they should not be welcomed by the world community,” Wilk concluded.

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Jeff Prang, Los Angeles County Assessor, also released a statement on the holiday, quoting Henry Morgenthau, a U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in 1919. 

 After speaking directly with the Turkish authorities at the time, Morgenthau stated that “when the Turkish authorities gave the orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to a whole race; they understood this well, and, in their conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the fact.”

 Prang acknowledged the pain many Armenian families in America endure during this time of remembrance, but also recognized that “their journey to escape such oppression led them to the United States, which has been a welcoming home.”

Senator Wilk recently authored Senate Bill 457, which would require the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the State Teachers’ Retirement System Boards of Administration to allow school districts and cities to opt out of investment vehicles issued or owned by the Republic of Turkey. SB 457 recently passed the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee.

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