2025 -- H 6220

========

LC002756

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

____________

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAMBODIAN GENOCIDE ON

APRIL 17TH OF 2025

     Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Felix, Slater,
Chippendale, Batista, Kennedy, Ajello, and Paplauskas

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, On April 17th of 1975, Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh fell, and thus

began an unimaginable tragedy and the slaughter of 2,000,000 Cambodians on the direct orders of

the Khmer Rouge regime under its leader, Pol Pot; and

     WHEREAS, Beginning on that fateful day, and for the next four years, almost 25 percent

of the Cambodian nation's population were starved, tortured, and murdered; and

     WHEREAS, Thousands of Cambodians fled their homeland, seeking refuge in camps in

Thailand before eventually being admitted into several nations, including the United States; and

     WHEREAS, Today, Cambodia still struggles under the oppression of a former Khmer

Rouge Commander who over the past four decades has consolidated his power by threatening,

outlawing, and arresting those who oppose him; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island is now home to a vibrant Cambodian-American population,

that have greatly contributed to the rich diversity of our State's culture; and

     WHEREAS, The 50th Anniversary of the Cambodian Genocide is a day to remember and

pay homage and extend utmost respect and reverence for the lives that were lost, and to honor the

courage and resilience of those who survived; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Cambodian Genocide on April 17th of 2025, and

"celebrate the enduring spirit of the Cambodian people". We moreover extend heartfelt gratitude

to the Cambodian Society of RI, the Providence Youth Student Movement, the Alliance of Rhode

Island Southeast Asians for Education, and the elders of the Cambodian community for

empowering and organizing an annual day of remembrance; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Cambodian Society of RI, the Providence

Youth Student Movement, and the Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education.

========

LC002756

========

LC002756 - Page 2 of 2