LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION remembering and honoring the victims of the
Pontian Greeks Genocide, to be recognized on Thursday, May 19, 2011

WHEREAS, The State of New York is home to many ethnic communities whose
members benefit from the freedom and democracy upon which our Nation was
founded; and
WHEREAS, As a global leader in many areas of basic human and social
rights, New York State has a prominent role in acknowledging events in
history, many of them tragic and distressing, that teach valuable
lessons from which our greater society benefits; one such event is the
Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus and Asia Minor, a tragedy that took the
lives of an estimated 353,000 Greek civilians during World War I; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly moved to call for the remem-
brance of the victims of the Pontian Greeks Genocide; a number of memo-
rial events have been planned to take place across the United States and
Canada; the Greek Parliament, by a decree, has set aside May 19th as a
Day of Remembrance for the victims of this brutal genocide; and
WHEREAS, Under the direction of its President, Dimitris Molohides, the
Pan-Pontian Federation of U.S.A. and Canada has organized a Memorial
Service for the repose of the souls of the 353,000 Greek civilians who
were executed by the Ottoman Turks of Mustafa Kemal and their collabora-
tors; and
WHEREAS, This shameful historic incident demands the focus of public
attention and calls for an inquest, or an admission of guilt, and an
apology by the parties involved and is worthy of the prayerful remem-
brance, long overdue, of this most heinous of crimes against all humani-
ty; and
WHEREAS, This great State of New York is the source of countless
supporters who stand in solidarity with the eternal principles of liber-
ty and freedom for the Greek people; and
WHEREAS, It is fitting that all freedom-loving people from the State
of New York and worldwide share in the solemn commemoration of the
Pontian Genocide 1916-1923, and join with the Greek-American community
and its many religious, communal and philanthropic organizations as they
honor the sacrifices and memory of their noble ancestors; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
remember and honor the victims of the Pontian Greeks Genocide, to be
recognized on Thursday, May 19, 2011; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Dimitris Molohides, President, The Pan-Pontian Federation,
U.S.A. and Canada.