OF
CITY GLENDIN
CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION
Whereas, during its colonial and wartime occupation of Asia and the Pacific Islands from the 1930s through the duration of World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army commissioned the acquisition of young girls, who became known to the world as 'Comfort Women'; and Whereas, the 'comfort women' system of forced military prostitution by the Imperial Army is considered one of the largest cases of human trafficking in the 20" century; and Whereas, the City of Glendale commends the United States Congress House of Representatives for the passage of Resolution 121 and joins with their recommendations that the Government of Japan should educate current and future generations about this horrible crime while following the recommendations of the international community with respect to the 'Comfort Women; and Whereas, the City of Glendale has a longstanding history of recognizing cultural diversity and has been a strong advocate for human rights around the world. This was evident in 2012 when the City of Glendale first proclaimed July 30" as the Comfort Women Day, and in 2013 when the Glendale City Council voted to approve the Comfort Women monument in the Glendale Central Park. Since the decision was made, the City of Glendale has continued to support the efforts to secure the rights of those known as 'Comfort Women;
Now, therefore, I, Elen Asatryan, Mayor of the City of Glendale, proclaim July 30, 2024 as, Korean Comfort Women Day
and extend our profound hope that bringing these atrocities to light will serve as a grave reminder to the world that crimes against humanity will not be condoned or tolerated.
Elen Asatryan, Mayor
July 30, 2024