TP&J COM. IN CALIFORNIA
\nTurkish Peace and Justice Committee California
\nP. O. Box. 866 Sacramento, CA 95812-866 Tel: 530 297-1655 turkishpjc@gmail.com
\n==========================================
\nUpdate from California legislature<\/p>\n
Bad news: <\/strong><\/p>\n CA Senator Wyland introduced an SB 234. The intention of this bill (SB 234) is to allow children to be brainwashed by the so-called genocide survivors. By putting on theatrical shows, they will brainwash and transfer their hatred to the naive and innocent American children. The end result of this bill will demonize the Turkish people and their nation.<\/p>\n Some people might not see the importance of this affair. Unfortunately, this occurrence is very dangerous for us (Turkish nation and its people) and for our next generation (our children). In the business world and State Capitol, I am already encountering graduates form UCLA and other schools that were brainwashed and have negative feelings against Turkey and the Turkish people.<\/p>\n I vigorously worked to defeat Senator Scott’s bill but couldn’t succeed. Know that we have a second chance to make our voice heard and heard clearly. We have no choice but to stop this nonsensical political bigotry. I am begging every one of you. Please take all the necessary steps to organize and fight back for the sake of our country and our next generation.<\/p>\n I am not going to plea for help again. I am very frustrated with chasing bill after bill; it never ends. I do not have the time and energy to do so. I have no choice but to direct my limited energy and resources to the objective. Even though in the last 12 years we did accomplish some successes, we have not overcome this problem fully, and this is frustrating me. Many times I intended to quit but the love of my country stopped me.<\/p>\n I am attaching bill SB 234 for your information.<\/p>\n In addition to SB 234, Assembly member Krekorian introduced a resolution AJR 14 relative to the Armenian Genocide. I was waiting for this resolution. This type of resolution comes up every year for approximately the last forty years. Because I knew it is coming up, I started lobbying against it since January. Before that, I volunteered for the election campaign. Every year it is getting harder for them to pass the resolution, but we were not able to stop it completely.<\/p>\n For some reason, our community is not sensitive on this issue. The so-called Armenian genocide resolution is the main source of fuel to start other laws and resolutions. I believe that if we can succeed to stop this so-called Armenian genocide resolution, we will be able to stop other laws and resolutions that relate to this subject.<\/p>\n Some might ask: what should I do? I don’t know, what is your intention and available resources? I suggest doing something such as: write a letter containing one sentence or even one paragraph; call and visit your senators and assembly members. Organize groups…..<\/p>\n Respectfully yours,<\/p>\n Karahan Mete<\/p>\n CURRENT BILL STATUS<\/p>\n MEASURE\t: S.B. No. 234 TYPE OF BILL : LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 04\/13\/2009 TITLE\t: An act to amend Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, relating to curriculum. AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 13, 2009<\/p>\n INTRODUCED BY Senator Wyland<\/p>\n FEBRUARY 24, 2009<\/p>\n An act to amend Section 51225.3 of the Education Code, relating to curriculum.<\/p>\n LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL\\’S DIGEST<\/p>\n SB 234, as amended, Wyland. Curriculum: oral histories: genocide. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:<\/p>\n SECTION 1. Section 51225.3 of the Education Code is amended to read: BILL NUMBER: AJR 14\tINTRODUCED INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Krekorian APRIL 14, 2009<\/p>\n Relative to the Armenian Genocide.<\/p>\n LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST<\/p>\n AJR 14, as introduced, Krekorian. Armenian Genocide: Day of \u00a0Remembrance. WHEREAS, The Armenian people, living in their 3,000-year historic homeland in eastern Asia Minor and throughout the Ottoman Empire, were subjected to severe persecution and brutal injustice by the rulers of the Ottoman Empire before and after the turn of the 20th century, including widespread massacres, usurpation of land and property, and acts of wanton destruction during the period from 1894 to 1896, inclusive, and again in 1909; and WHEREAS, The horrible experience of the Armenians at the hands of their oppressors culminated in 1915 in what is known by historians as the “First Genocide of the Twentieth Century,” and as the prototype of modern day mass killing; and TP&J COM. IN CALIFORNIA Turkish Peace and Justice Committee California P. O. Box. 866 Sacramento, CA 95812-866 Tel: 530 297-1655 turkishpjc@gmail.com ========================================== Update from California legislature Bad news: CA Senator Wyland introduced an SB 234. Approximately 4 year ago, former Senator Scott introduced a bill that allowed genocide survivors or their descendents to go to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":83,"featured_media":107015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-armenian-question","category-usa"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/83"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11294\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/107015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.turkishnews.com\/en\/content\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nApproximately 4 year ago, former Senator Scott introduced a bill that allowed genocide survivors or their descendents to go to public school K-12 classrooms to tell their genocide stories orally. Implementation of these talks in the classroom was optional. Senator Wyland’s bill SB 234 makes it mandatory for schools to include it in their curriculum. And compensate these people (clowns) that participate in this subject.<\/p>\n
\nAUTHOR(S)\t: Wyland.
\nTOPIC\t: Curriculum: oral histories: genocide.
\nHOUSE LOCATION\t: SEN
\n+LAST AMENDED DATE : 04\/13\/2009<\/p>\n
\nActive
\nNon-Urgency
\nNon-Appropriations
\nMajority Vote Required
\nState-Mandated Local Program
\nFiscal
\nNon-Tax Levy<\/p>\n
\nLAST HIST. ACTION : From committee with author\\’s amendments. Read second time. Amended. Re-referred to Com. on ED. Set for hearing April 29.
\nCOMM. LOCATION\t: SEN EDUCATION
\nHEARING DATE\t: 04\/29\/2009<\/p>\n
\nBILL NUMBER: SB 234\tAMENDED
\nBILL TEXT<\/p>\n
\n(1) Existing law requires each pupil completing grade 12 to satisfy certain requirements as a condition of receiving a diploma of graduation from high school. These requirements include the successful passage of the high school exit examination and the completion of designated coursework in grades 9 to 12, inclusive. The coursework requirements include the completion of 3 courses in social studies, including United States history and geography, world history, culture, and geography, a one-semester course in American government and civics, and a one-semester course in economics. This bill, commencing with the 2010-11 school year, would prohibit a pupil from receiving credit for passing a course in United States history and geography, or in world history, culture, and geography, without exposure in that course to an oral history component, as defined, specifically related to genocides , as specified . To the extent that school districts would be required to provide a higher level of service in order for pupils to meet this requirement, the bill would create a state-mandated local program.
\n(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
\nreimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.
\nVote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
\nState-mandated local program: yes.<\/p>\n
\n51225.3. (a) Commencing with the 1988-89 school year, no pupil shall receive a diploma of graduation from high school who, while in grades 9 to 12, inclusive, has not completed all of the following:
\n(1) At least the following numbers of courses in the subjects specified, each course having a duration of one year, unless otherwise specified.
\n(A) Three courses in English.
\n(B) Two courses in mathematics.
\n(C) Two courses in science, including biological and physical sciences.
\n(D) (i) Three courses in social studies, including United States\u00a0history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; a one-semester course in American government and civics, and a one-semester course in economics.
\n(ii) Commencing with the 2010-11 school year, a pupil shall not receive credit for passing a course in United States history and geography, or in world history, culture, and geography, world history, culture, and geography, without
\nexposure to an oral history component in that course, specifically related to genocides , including, but not limited to, the Darfur, Rwandan, Cambodian, Jewish Holocaust, or Armenian genocides . As used in this clause, “exposure to an oral history component” includes, but is not necessarily limited to, in-person testimony, video, or a multimedia option , such as a DVD or online video .
\n(E) One course in visual or performing arts or foreign language. For the purposes of satisfying the requirement specified in this subparagraph, a course in American Sign Language shall be deemed a course in foreign language.
\n(F) Two courses in physical education, unless the pupil has been exempted pursuant to the provisions of this code.
\n(2) Other coursework as the governing board of the school district may by rule specify.
\n(b) The governing board, with the active involvement of parents, administrators, teachers, and pupils, shall adopt alternative means for pupils to complete the prescribed course of study , which may include practical demonstration of skills and competencies, supervised work experience or other outside school experience, career technical education classes offered in high schools, courses offered by regional occupational centers or programs,\u00a0interdisciplinary study, independent study, and credit earned at a postsecondary institution. Requirements for graduation and specified alternative modes for completing the prescribed course of study shall be made available to pupils, parents, and the public.
\nSEC. 2. If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.<\/p>\n
\nBILL TEXT<\/p>\n
\n(Principal coauthor: Assembly Member De Leon)
\n(Principal coauthors: Senators Cogdill and Simitian)<\/p>\n
\nThis measure would designate April 24, 2009, as “California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923.” It would memorialize the Congress and the President of the United States to act likewise to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
\nFiscal committee: no.<\/p>\n
\nWHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide began with the arrest, exile, and murder of hundreds of Armenian intellectuals, and business, political, and religious leaders, starting on April 24, 1915; and WHEREAS, The regime then in control of the empire, known as the \\”Young Turks,\\” planned and executed the unspeakable atrocities committed against the Armenian people from 1915 to 1923, inclusive, which included the torture, starvation, and murder of 1,500,000
\nArmenians, death marches into the Syrian Desert, the forced exile of more than 500,000 innocent people, and the loss of the traditional Armenian homelands; and
\nWHEREAS, While there were some Turks and others who jeopardized their safety in order to protect Armenians from the crimes being perpetrated by the Young Turk regime, the genocide of the Armenian people constituted one of the most egregious violations of human rights in the history of the world; and
\nWHEREAS, The United States Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry\u00a0Morgenthau, Sr., stated \\”Whatever crimes the most perverted\u00a0instincts of the human mind can devise, and whatever refinements of\u00a0persecutions and injustice the most debased imagination can conceive,\u00a0became the daily misfortunes of this devoted people. I am confident\u00a0that the whole history of the human race contains no such horrible\u00a0episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the past\u00a0seem almost insignificant when compared to the sufferings of the\u00a0Armenian race in 1915. The killing of the Armenian people was\u00a0accompanied by the systematic destruction of churches, schools,\u00a0libraries, treasures of art, and cultural monuments in an attempt to\u00a0eliminate all traces of a noble civilization with a history of more\u00a0than 3,000 years”; and\u00a0WHEREAS, In discussing World War I, President Theodore Roosevelt\u00a0wrote that “… the Armenian massacre was the greatest crime of the\u00a0war, and the failure to act against Turkey is to condone it … the\u00a0failure to deal radically with the Turkish horror means that all talk\u00a0of guaranteeing the future peace of the world is mischievous\u00a0nonsense”; and\u00a0WHEREAS, Winston Churchill wrote: “As for Turkish atrocities: …\u00a0massacring uncounted thousands of helpless Armenians, men, women, and\u00a0children together, whole districts blotted out in one administrative\u00a0holocaust–these were beyond human redress”; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, Contemporary newspapers like the New York Times commonly\u00a0carried headlines such as “Tales of Armenian Horrors Confirmed,”\u00a0“Million Armenians Killed or in Exile,” and “Wholesale Massacre of\u00a0Armenians by Turks”; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, Adolph Hitler, in persuading his army commanders on the\u00a0eve of World War II that the merciless persecution and killing of\u00a0Poles, Jews, and other peoples would bring no retribution, declared,\u00a0“Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”;\u00a0and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, Unlike other peoples and governments that have admitted and denounced the abuses and crimes of predecessor regimes, and despite the overwhelming proof of genocidal intent, the Republic of Turkey has inexplicably and adamantly denied the occurrence of the crimes against humanity committed by the Young Turk rulers, and those\u00a0denials compound the grief of the few remaining survivors of the atrocities, desecrate the memory of the victims, and cause continuing trauma and pain to the descendants of the victims; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, The Turkish Government has engaged in concerted efforts to revise history through the dissemination of propaganda falsely suggesting that Armenians were responsible for their fate in the period from 1915 to 1923, inclusive, and by the funding of programs\u00a0at American educational institutions for the purpose of furthering the cause of this revisionism;and
\nWHEREAS, The Republic of Turkey has been condemned by Amnesty International and other human rights organizations for making free\u00a0speech a crime by enacting Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code,\u00a0which makes “public denigration of Turkishness … the Government of\u00a0the Republic of Turkey, the judicial institutions of the State, the\u00a0military or security structures ” punishable by imprisonment, and has\u00a0used this device to harass, intimidate, prosecute, and imprison\u00a0Turkish citizens who have written or spoken honestly about the\u00a0Armenian Genocide, including Nobel Prize winning author Orhan Pamuk;\u00a0and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, Among those charged with “denigration of Turkishness” by\u00a0Turkish prosecutors for his forthright acknowledgment of the Armenian\u00a0Genocide was journalist Hrant Dink, and in this atmosphere of\u00a0intolerance of dissent, Mr. Dink was assassinated for his views on\u00a0January 19, 2007; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, The accelerated level and scope of denial and\u00a0revisionism, coupled with the passage of time and the fact that few\u00a0survivors remain who serve as personal eyewitnesses to the\u00a0indescribable brutality and torment, compel a sense of urgency in\u00a0achieving formal recognition and reaffirmation of the historical\u00a0truth of the Armenian Genocide; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, By honoring the victims and survivors, and consistently\u00a0remembering and forcefully condemning the atrocities committed\u00a0against the Armenian people as well as the persecution of the\u00a0Assyrian and Greek populations of the Ottoman Empire, we guard\u00a0against repetition of the crime of genocide; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, California has become home to the largest population of\u00a0Armenians in the world outside of Armenia, including Armenian\u00a0Genocide survivors and their descendants, and those citizens have\u00a0enriched our state and our Nation through leadership in academia,\u00a0medicine, business, law, agriculture, government, the arts, and many\u00a0other worthy endeavors, and they are proud and patriotic\u00a0practitioners of American citizenship; and\u00a0
\nWHEREAS, The State of California has been at the forefront of\u00a0encouraging and promoting a curriculum relating to human rights and\u00a0genocide in order to empower future generations to prevent recurrence\u00a0of the crime of genocide; now, therefore, be it\u00a0Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of California,\u00a0jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby\u00a0designates April 24, 2009, as the “California Day of Remembrance for\u00a0the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923”; and be it further\u00a0Resolved, That the State of California commends its conscientious\u00a0educators who teach about human rights and genocide; and be it\u00a0further\u00a0Resolved, That the State of California respectfully memorializes\u00a0the Congress and the President of the United States to act likewise\u00a0and to formally recognize and reaffirm the historical truth that the\u00a0atrocities committed against the Armenian people constituted\u00a0genocide; and be it further\u00a0Resolved, That the State of California calls upon the Republic of\u00a0Turkey to acknowledge the facts of the Armenian Genocide and to work\u00a0toward a just resolution; and be it further\u00a0Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of\u00a0this resolution to the President of the United States, Members of the\u00a0United States Congress, the Governor, and the Turkish Ambassador to\u00a0the United States.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"