By: Shapiro S.C.R. No. 39
(Hochberg)
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, As a means of memorializing the victims and the
survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides that have occurred
throughout history, the Legislature of the State of Texas joins
institutions around the world in recognizing the month of April as
Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month; and
WHEREAS, Across the globe, those atrocities known as
genocides have had their origins in the stratification of society
and the dehumanization of a group of people by those who harbor
intolerance, hatred, and violent proclivities; and
WHEREAS, Many of these genocides have stemmed from events
that occurred in the month of April, or have had defining moments at
that time of year; in April of 1933, the Nazis issued a decree
preparing the way for the "Final Solution" to all of Jewish faith or
descent, and the tragedy that ensued was one of the world's most
horrific; and
WHEREAS, In April of 1975, the Khmer Rouge entered the
Cambodian capital and initiated massacres that led to the death of
two million people; in April of 1992, the siege of Sarajevo began,
leading to the deaths of more than 2,000 Bosnian Serbs; in April of
2003, the displacement of Darfurians began in Sudan, leading to
hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions;
and in April of 1994, the Rwandan president's plane was shot down,
leading to the killing of moderate leaders by Hutu hardliners and
the later slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis; and
WHEREAS, In 2009, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed
Senate Bill 482, which created the Texas Holocaust and Genocide
Commission; the commission is dedicated to obtaining, organizing,
and distributing information on genocides and to ensuring that
schools, organizations, and communities have access to this
genocide information and history; and
WHEREAS, The legislature has chosen the month of April to
emphasize the need to heighten public awareness of the early stages
of human behavior that spawn acts of genocide, the need to build
strong communities and prevent future genocides, and the need on
the state and national levels to continue to honor all who have been
victimized by genocide; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby declare the month of April each year from 2011 through 2020
Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month in tribute to all whose
lives were touched by genocide and as a reminder of the need for the
protection of human rights and for vigilance against the forces of
intolerance; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be prepared in
recognition of Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month.