Amended IN Assembly August 23, 2021 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 105Introduced by Assembly Members Holden and Nazarian(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Calderon, Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, and Mullin Mullin, and Luz Rivas)(Principal coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Borgeas, Durazo, Hertzberg, and Portantino)August 17, 2021Relative to a sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 105, as amended, Holden. Sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik.This resolution would extend to the people of the Province of Syunik in the Republic of Armenia an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until January 1, 2026.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, For decades, California has been a refuge and home to Armenian immigrants; andWHEREAS, Notable numbers of Armenians began arriving in California in the late 19th century. In the 1870s, a majority of Armenian immigrants in California settled in the City of Fresno. In the City of Fresno, Armenians flourished and made their mark on the fruit, dried fruit packaging, and shipping industries; andWHEREAS, The success of the Armenian community in the City of Fresno attracted Armenians from across the United States to move to the City of Fresno and make California their home. A study from Stanford University revealed that in 1930, 84 percent of early Armenian settlers moved to the City of Fresno after living 5.7 years in some other United States city. By the outbreak of World War II, an estimated 10,000 Armenians resided in the City of Fresno, making up about 25 percent of the countys minority population; andWHEREAS, Armenian success in agriculture led to the first and only United States-based Armenian community about 40 miles southeast of the City of Fresno; andWHEREAS, After World War II, the Armenian community was centered in southern California, including in the Cities of Pasadena and Glendale, and in the Boyle Heights and Hollywood neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles; andWHEREAS, While Armenians had settled in Hollywood much earlier in the 20th century, Hollywood became an Armenian enclave in the 1960s. This community became a refuge for Soviet dissidents in 1970s, and in the 1980s became the ultimate destination for many post-Soviet Armenians; andWHEREAS, As Hollywood became urbanized in In the 1980s, the City of Glendale became the epicenter of the Armenian community in southern California. The City of Glendale continues to be the epicenter of the Armenian community in southern California to this day, with Armenian shops, grocery stores, bakeries, and delis on every major artery through the city. Significant Armenian representation on the City of Glendales city council has facilitated the establishment of Armenian cultural centers, Armenian language city voting materials, and dual immersion language programs in public schools; andWHEREAS, California is home to the largest Armenian American population in the United States, and Armenians living in California, most of whom are direct descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, have enriched our state through their leadership and contributions in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts; andWHEREAS, California has taken decisive action to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and to work towards a more global recognition of historical facts. Given recent attacks on Armenia by the Turkish and Azerbaijani governments, California stands with the Armenian peoples desire to have security in their homes, California recognizes the generational trauma caused by the Armenian Genocide, and acknowledges the pain and danger of any countrys efforts to deny the Armenian Genocide; andWHEREAS, In September 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and signed an agreement to create a Trade and Services Desk in Armenia. This desk will be used to encourage trade and investment by Californian and Armenian businesses, and will foster economic cooperation and development by assisting entrepreneurs in connecting with their counterparts to engage in various trade and commercial activities; andWHEREAS, The Armenian Province of Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It is bordered by the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Artsakh or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It is also one of the original provinces of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia; andWHEREAS, On May 12, 2021, the Azerbaijani military crossed into the Republic of Armenia and moved 3.5 kilometers into Syunik Province, seizing the entirety of Sev Lake. The next day, the Azerbaijani military breached two other sections of the border and occupied more areas of Armenia. It was initially reported that, with Russian mediation, Azerbaijan agreed to withdraw to their pre-May 12 positions, but with two small military camps being established nearby. However, Armenian reports suggest that many Azerbaijani soldiers remain illegally in Armenia; andWHEREAS, In acknowledgment of the Turkey-supported Azerbaijani occupation of border cities of the Syunik Province, and the reasons described above, the The Legislature wishes to recognize the Armenian Province of Syunik as a sister state; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature, on behalf of the people of the State of California, hereby extends to the people of the Province of Syunik in Armenia an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until January 1, 2026, in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges; and be it furtherResolved, That it is the intent of the Legislature through a sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik to further promote the prosperity of both regions, regions and to improve international understanding and goodwill between both regions, and to publicly declare Californias solidarity with Syunik; regions; and be it furtherResolved, That any sister state agreement be developed through the mutual cooperation and engagement of the Legislature, the Legislature of the Province of Syunik, and Armenia; and be it furtherResolved, That any sister state agreement developed will identify objectives, identify areas of mutual interest, create a list of potential activities, and create an initial list of public and private partners that will help to advance the purposes of the sister state agreement, including one or more entities that will serve as a facilitator and general point of contact; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. the Governor of California, the Lieutenant Governor of California, the Governor of the Province of Syunik, the Legislature of the Province of Syunik, and each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.
Amended IN Assembly August 23, 2021 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 105Introduced by Assembly Members Holden and Nazarian(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Calderon, Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, and Mullin Mullin, and Luz Rivas)(Principal coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Borgeas, Durazo, Hertzberg, and Portantino)August 17, 2021Relative to a sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 105, as amended, Holden. Sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik.This resolution would extend to the people of the Province of Syunik in the Republic of Armenia an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until January 1, 2026.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO
Amended IN Assembly August 23, 2021
Amended IN Assembly August 23, 2021
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20212022 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 105
Introduced by Assembly Members Holden and Nazarian(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Calderon, Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, and Mullin Mullin, and Luz Rivas)(Principal coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Borgeas, Durazo, Hertzberg, and Portantino)August 17, 2021
Introduced by Assembly Members Holden and Nazarian(Principal coauthors: Assembly Members Calderon, Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, and Mullin Mullin, and Luz Rivas)(Principal coauthors: Senators Archuleta, Borgeas, Durazo, Hertzberg, and Portantino)
August 17, 2021
Relative to a sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 105, as amended, Holden. Sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik.
This resolution would extend to the people of the Province of Syunik in the Republic of Armenia an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until January 1, 2026.
This resolution would extend to the people of the Province of Syunik in the Republic of Armenia an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until January 1, 2026.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
WHEREAS, For decades, California has been a refuge and home to Armenian immigrants; and
WHEREAS, Notable numbers of Armenians began arriving in California in the late 19th century. In the 1870s, a majority of Armenian immigrants in California settled in the City of Fresno. In the City of Fresno, Armenians flourished and made their mark on the fruit, dried fruit packaging, and shipping industries; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Armenian community in the City of Fresno attracted Armenians from across the United States to move to the City of Fresno and make California their home. A study from Stanford University revealed that in 1930, 84 percent of early Armenian settlers moved to the City of Fresno after living 5.7 years in some other United States city. By the outbreak of World War II, an estimated 10,000 Armenians resided in the City of Fresno, making up about 25 percent of the countys minority population; and
WHEREAS, Armenian success in agriculture led to the first and only United States-based Armenian community about 40 miles southeast of the City of Fresno; and
WHEREAS, After World War II, the Armenian community was centered in southern California, including in the Cities of Pasadena and Glendale, and in the Boyle Heights and Hollywood neighborhoods in the City of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, While Armenians had settled in Hollywood much earlier in the 20th century, Hollywood became an Armenian enclave in the 1960s. This community became a refuge for Soviet dissidents in 1970s, and in the 1980s became the ultimate destination for many post-Soviet Armenians; and
WHEREAS, As Hollywood became urbanized in In the 1980s, the City of Glendale became the epicenter of the Armenian community in southern California. The City of Glendale continues to be the epicenter of the Armenian community in southern California to this day, with Armenian shops, grocery stores, bakeries, and delis on every major artery through the city. Significant Armenian representation on the City of Glendales city council has facilitated the establishment of Armenian cultural centers, Armenian language city voting materials, and dual immersion language programs in public schools; and
WHEREAS, California is home to the largest Armenian American population in the United States, and Armenians living in California, most of whom are direct descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, have enriched our state through their leadership and contributions in business, agriculture, academia, government, and the arts; and
WHEREAS, California has taken decisive action to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and to work towards a more global recognition of historical facts. Given recent attacks on Armenia by the Turkish and Azerbaijani governments, California stands with the Armenian peoples desire to have security in their homes, California recognizes the generational trauma caused by the Armenian Genocide, and acknowledges the pain and danger of any countrys efforts to deny the Armenian Genocide; and
WHEREAS, In September 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and signed an agreement to create a Trade and Services Desk in Armenia. This desk will be used to encourage trade and investment by Californian and Armenian businesses, and will foster economic cooperation and development by assisting entrepreneurs in connecting with their counterparts to engage in various trade and commercial activities; and
WHEREAS, The Armenian Province of Syunik is the southernmost province of Armenia. It is bordered by the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Republic of Artsakh or the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. It is also one of the original provinces of the ancient Kingdom of Armenia; and
WHEREAS, On May 12, 2021, the Azerbaijani military crossed into the Republic of Armenia and moved 3.5 kilometers into Syunik Province, seizing the entirety of Sev Lake. The next day, the Azerbaijani military breached two other sections of the border and occupied more areas of Armenia. It was initially reported that, with Russian mediation, Azerbaijan agreed to withdraw to their pre-May 12 positions, but with two small military camps being established nearby. However, Armenian reports suggest that many Azerbaijani soldiers remain illegally in Armenia; and
WHEREAS, In acknowledgment of the Turkey-supported Azerbaijani occupation of border cities of the Syunik Province, and the reasons described above, the The Legislature wishes to recognize the Armenian Province of Syunik as a sister state; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature, on behalf of the people of the State of California, hereby extends to the people of the Province of Syunik in Armenia an invitation to join with California in a sister state relationship until January 1, 2026, in order to encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges; and be it further
Resolved, That it is the intent of the Legislature through a sister state relationship with the Province of Syunik to further promote the prosperity of both regions, regions and to improve international understanding and goodwill between both regions, and to publicly declare Californias solidarity with Syunik; regions; and be it further
Resolved, That any sister state agreement be developed through the mutual cooperation and engagement of the Legislature, the Legislature of the Province of Syunik, and Armenia; and be it further
Resolved, That any sister state agreement developed will identify objectives, identify areas of mutual interest, create a list of potential activities, and create an initial list of public and private partners that will help to advance the purposes of the sister state agreement, including one or more entities that will serve as a facilitator and general point of contact; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution. the Governor of California, the Lieutenant Governor of California, the Governor of the Province of Syunik, the Legislature of the Province of Syunik, and each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.