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SR 3267

SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MAY 19TH OF 2026 AS "GREEK AND PONTIC GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Frank Ciccone and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island designates May 19, 2026 as Greek and Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day to honor victims, survivors, and educate to prevent future genocides.

05/07/2026 Senate read and passed
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SR 3267

Overview

  • Bill: SR 3267 (Rhode Island Senate Resolution)
  • Session: 2026
  • Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
  • Title: SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MAY 19TH OF 2026 AS "GREEK AND PONTIC GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
  • Introduced: May 6, 2026
  • Status: Placed on Senate Consent Calendar
  • Sponsors: Raptakis, Tikoian, Gallo, Ciccone, Euer, Urso, Kallman, Patalano, de la Cruz, Valverde
  • Co-sponsors: Jessica de la Cruz, Meghan Kallman, David Tikoian, Hanna Gallo, Bridget Valverde, Todd Patalano, Dawn Euer, Frank Ciccone, Lori Urso, Lou Raptakis

Purpose and Intent

  • The resolution proclaims May 19, 2026, as "Greek and Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day" in the State of Rhode Island.
  • It recognizes and memorializes the Greek and Pontic Genocide (1913–1923) during the late Ottoman Empire and its aftermath, including the killings and forced relocations of Pontian Greeks, Armenians, and Assyrians.
  • The resolution expresses a commitment to remembering victims, honoring survivors and their descendants, and teaching lessons to prevent future genocides.

Key Provisions

  • Declaration: Rhode Island Senate designates May 19, 2026 (and, by implication, each year) as a day of solemn commemoration for the Greek and Pontic Genocide of 1913–1923.
  • Historical Clarification: Recites and aligns with a historical account of mass killings, forced relocations, and related atrocities carried out by Ottoman and Kemalist forces against Pontian Greeks, as well as parallel genocidal events against Armenians and Assyrians in the same period.
  • Purpose of Commemoration: Emphasizes remembrance of those who lost their lives, recognition of survivors and descendants, and the educational value of the remembrance to prevent future genocides.
  • Official Action: Directs the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Pan-Pontian Federation of the USA and Canada (Miltiadis Tsavdaridis, President).

Who is Affected

  • State government: Formal recognition by the Rhode Island Senate as a memorial day.
  • Greek-American community: Explicit acknowledgment and occasion for remembrance and related events.
  • General public: Encourages awareness and education about the Pontic Greek Genocide and related atrocities.
  • Organizations: Pan-Pontian Federation of the USA and Canada receives a formal notice.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • No financial implications or administrative costs are stated.
  • The bill is a resolution (non-binding), focusing on recognition rather than creating new programs or funding.
  • Scheduling: On the Senate Consent Calendar, indicating movement toward a routine, non-controversial approval status.
  • Effective date: May 19, 2026 (one-time designation in the text, with the implication of annual remembrance in the future if the legislature reaffirms similar resolutions in subsequent years).

Notes

  • The resolution uses specific historical figures and events to frame the remembrance (e.g., 1913–1923 period, Pontian Greeks, Armenians, Assyrians, and Ottoman Empire actions).
  • It aligns Rhode Island with broader memorial efforts observed globally in 2026 as a symbolic anniversary year.

If you’d like, I can compare this resolution to similar commemorations in other states or provide context on the historical events cited.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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