The Assembly Transportation Committee last week passed SCR 25 which paves the way for the installation of a sign at the Fair Oaks Avenue exit off Interstate 210 to guide visitors to the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial.
State Senator Anthony Portantino, author of the bill, said he believes the installation of the freeway sign will be helpful in raising awareness about the Armenian Genocide.
“I am so excited to see this piece of legislation moving through the legislature with such overwhelming and bipartisan support. Installing a freeway sign will help direct visitors to the memorial, raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and serve as a reminder that educating the public about crimes against humanity is an ongoing process and requires our continuous attention. I look forward to seeing SCR 25 progress and these signs installed,” said Portantino.
Unveiled in April, 2015, the Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial located in the northeast corner of Old Pasadena’s Memorial Park, honors the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide.
It was constructed by the nonprofit Pasadena Armenian Genocide Memorial Committee with unanimous support from the Pasadena City Council. Senator Portantino served on the board of the nonprofit prior to joining the State Senate. He was the only non-Armenian to have served on the Board.
The memorial features a 16-foot tall tripod that captures the image of the structures used by the Turks to hang Armenian artists and leaders 100 years ago.
From its apex, a drop of water falls every 21 seconds, with 1.5 million drops falling in a year, symbolizing the souls of the departed genocide victims.
Neither the U.S. Government or the Turkish government have officially acknowledged that the Armenian Genocide ever occurred.
After passing the Assembly Transportation Committee, SCR 25 is now headed to Assembly Appropriations Committee, after which it will move to the Assembly floor for a final vote.
Sen. Portantino represents nearly 930,000 people in the 25th Senate District, which includes Altadena, Atwater Village, Bradbury, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, La Verne, Lake View Terrace, Los Feliz, Monrovia, Montrose, Pasadena, San Dimas, San Marino, Shadow Hills, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Sunland-Tujunga, and Upland.