TITLE
Recommendation to request City Council to adopt resolution to recognize April as Cambodian Genocide Awareness Month.
DISCUSSION
The Cambodia genocide was carried out by the Khmer Rouge regime led by Pol Pot between 1975 and 1979. There were 1.5 to 3 million people killed during the genocide. The Khmer Rouge policies of forced relocation of the population from urban centers, torture, mass executions, use of forced labor, and malnutrition led to the deaths of an estimated 25 percent of the total population. The genocide ended following the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia. Up to 20,000 mass graves, known as the Killing Fields, have been uncovered due to the genocide. (1)
The Cambodian genocide was one of the greatest human tragedies of the 20th century. The Cambodian people, through perseverance and resiliency, re-established families and a community in Long Beach. Their perseverance has enhanced the cultural diversity in the City of Long Beach and across the world.
The scars of genocide are carried by the survivors and families of victims living in Long Beach, as well as throughout the world. We ask that the City of Long Beach, viathe approval of the City Council, pay tribute in honor of those who suffered unimaginable tragedy, as well as, to remind ourselves that future atrocity can be prevented through awareness and action.
(1) Information collected from Wikipedia.org
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant cost for this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH RECOGNIZING APRIL AS CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE AWARENESS MONTH
Respectfully Submitted,
DEE ANDREWS
COUNCILMEMBER, SIXTH DISTRICT