HLS 15RS-3218 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 88
BY REPRESENTATIVE OURSO
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Commemorates the centennial anniversary of the
Armenian genocide
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915.
3 WHEREAS, a special committee was formed in Constantinople in March 1919 by
4a group of Ottoman Armenians who survived the Armenian genocide with the goal of
5organizing commemoration ceremonies dedicated to marking the anniversary of the
6Armenian genocide; and
7 WHEREAS, the committee, known as "The April 11th Board of Ceremonial
8Mourning", consisted of thirteen members including Yevphime Avetisian, Zaruhi
9Galamkarian, Mari Stambulian, Perchuhi Parsamian, Miss Arpiar, Tigran Zaven, Merujan
10Parsamyan, Hakob Siruni, Gevorg Mesrop, Tagvor Suqiasian, Dr. Barsegh Tinanian, Shahan
11Perperian, and Hovhannes Poghosian; and
12 WHEREAS, because of the committee's efforts, the memory of the victims of
13Armenian genocide was commemorated among the Armenians of Constantinople for the
14first time in 1919; and
15 WHEREAS, Armenian writer and publicist Hakob Siruni wrote in his memoirs: "The
16mourning ceremony became a tradition. Since then, the 24th of April was adopted as the Day
17of Mourning"; and
18 WHEREAS, commemoration ceremonies were intended to be held from April 11
19through 18, but due to the Armenian patriarch's illness at the time, the date was delayed by
20one day; Bishop Mesrop Naroian held a liturgy for the victims of the Armenian genocide
21April 15 through 25 in Saint Trinity Church of Bera District of Constantinople; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 15RS-3218 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 88
1 WHEREAS, the Armenian patriarch of Constantinople, Zaven Eghiaian, gave the
2sermon at the first observance and on this proclaimed Day of Mourning, all Armenian
3national colleges and shops in Constantinople were closed.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
5Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commemorate the centennial anniversary of the
6Armenian genocide and does hereby offer prayers for peace in the world.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 88 Original 2015 Regular Session Ourso
Commemorates the centennial anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Page 2 of 2